“No man is an island, entire of itself” John Donne. Human beings are social animals, and we need each other to survive and thrive. We are connected to each other, whether through blood, contract, or just through a smile, a word, or a gesture, and that connection is important for the well-being and survival of any individual.
We all have a support system to rely on. An employer relies on his employees to keep the business going and the employees rely on their employer to offer them a safe working environment and a stable structure within which to operate.
Children rely on their parents and their siblings for love and support, and parents rely on their children to provide an endless source of love with intermittent moments of frustration and anxiety and with an expectation that their children will reciprocate all the TLC they received whilst infant by looking after them in their olden days.
Friends rely on each other for love, support encouragement, a shoulder to cry on during hard times, and lots of fun times too. Out in the wild, you can find packs of animals working as a team. We often hear the expression “I am a lone wolf.” But wolves hunt in packs.
No man is an Island and this is because people exist among other people and not purely as individual minds and as a team, we achieve more.
Social interactions keep us sane, healthy, and on the straight and narrow road. Jordan Peterson expresses this sentiment quite well in Rule 1 of his new book ‘Beyond Order’: do not carelessly denigrate social institutions or creative achievement.
The social world is embedded with wisdom and guidance. People remain mentally healthy not merely because of the integrity of their own minds, but because they are constantly being reminded how to think, act, and speak by those around them. If you begin to deviate from the straight and narrow path, if you begin to act improperly, people will react. They will give you a nasty look, mock you, criticize you, and scold you back into place.
People will constantly remind you not to misbehave and will call on you to be at your best. Why rely on our own limited resources to remember the road or to orient ourselves in new territory, when we can rely on signs and guideposts placed there so effortlessly by others? All that is left for you to do is to watch, listen and respond appropriately to the cues. And this is why Jordan Peterson advises us to immerse ourselves in the world of other people, friends, family members, colleagues, and foes alike, despite the anxiety and frustrations that social interactions often produce.
Sitting at the opposite spectrum of this is the practice of solitary confinement which is used as a form of torture. Numerous studies have confirmed that keeping someone in solitary confinement puts them at a very serious risk of descending into irreversible mental illness.
No man is an island; people depend on constant communication with others to keep their minds organized.
No man is an island
Jordan Peterson explains that we all need to think to keep things straight, but we mostly think by talking to other people and also by reading informative blog articles such as this one! We need to talk about the past so that we can distinguish the trivial overblown concern that otherwise plagues our thoughts from the experiences that are truly important.
We need to talk about the nature of the present and our plans for the future, so we know where we are, where we are going, and why we are going there.
We must submit the strategies and tactics we formulate to the judgment of others to ensure their efficiency and resilience. We need to listen to ourselves as we talk as well so that we may organize our reactions, motivations, and emotions into something articulate and organized and dispense with those concerns that are exaggerated and irrational.
No man is an island, entire of itself. Connecting with people around us keeps us sane and helps us survive and thrive. Some people give us happiness, some give us experience, some teach us a lesson and some give us memories.
For those of my readers and followers who want to get acquainted with the tools to become a High-Value Individual, I invite you to purchase my eBook on Amazon.com. It will be a good use of your time, it is easy to read and it is packed with eye-opening information and guidance.
Why the rise of audiobooks is a story you want to hear
Audiobooks and the art of story telling
Audiobooks and the art of story telling are having a moment; they are in the midst of a boom as they soar in popularity. They are one of the greatest and more recent gifts to life long learners. The beauty of audiobooks is that you don’t have to set aside some quiet time away from everything and everyone in order to read a book anymore. You can continue to do all the things that you have listed on your to-do-list whilst having someone whispering in your ear a story that you want to hear.
Audiobooks and the art of story telling allow you direct access to a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom. Books allow the smartest people within every field to share their knowledge and experience with you so that you can learn from them and avoid making the same mistakes. But even for people who love books, finding the opportunity to read can be a challenge. This is where audiobooks come into the frame, they come to the rescue of those who have no time to sit in a quiet corner to read because of their daily commute, their work, their house chores and so many other things that need to be done. For those who are experiencing some decline in their eye sights because of old age, don’t despair, you can still have access to all the information and knowledge that you want, just press the play button and off you go. For those who are dyslexic don’t be put off by the thought of struggling your way through a book. Do you want to read Harry Potter? Sure you can and please don’t fret and don’t be intimidated by the size of the book. You don’t have to read it, listen to it, instead.
One should not underestimate the power of storytelling. From the beginning of time, knowledge was shared from generation to generation thanks to story tellers who used their artistry to pass on information, knowledge and wisdom to their community. The rise of audiobooks seems to be a natural progression back to the oral learning tradition that was so common in the olden days.
Audiobooks or the art of story telling
I am a fan of audiobooks; but be aware that I am totally biased on this subject because I just released the audio version of my book ‘This Is Your Quest‘; and right now I would like to invite you to listen to the sweet and smooth voice of Nita Slater, my narrator, who will be whispering in your ear a story you want to hear.
This Is Your quest – A story you want to hear– Audiobook sample
What happens when a storyteller meets a professional singer and voice actress? They create something beautiful that fills the silence that exists when one just sits alone in a quiet corner with a book. When I became an author, I found my voice, and by doing so I also found my new purpose in life, which is helping others find theirs. And now, I have found an amazing voice to narrate and bring to life the stories that I wrote in my book. I am delighted to inform all my readers that the audio version of my book This Is Your Quest is now available, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to my narrator Nita Slater. Nita is an artist with many talents, but her most amazing feature is her voice it is like honey sweet and smooth.
My mission as a storyteller is to weave interesting information into a compelling story that will keep my readers captivated and entertained. Story telling becomes magical when you add a smooth and engaging voice into the equation, making the experience more engaging, memorable and multi-dimensional. Being read stories aloud is not reserved for children only, adults can also indulge in this pleasure.
I wanted to find out more about this fascinating profession, so, I asked Nita a few questions. In this blog article I would like to bring to you an artist’s perspective from behind-the-scenes.
The Art of Story telling, backstage story. Meet Nita, my narrator. Can you tell us about you and in particular how did you become a book narrator?
I have been a professional singer most of my life and have also been involved with some musical comedy theatre productions along the way. Along with my experience doing radio commercials and narrating corporate videos, I felt that the combination of these experiences could quite possibly open up some opportunities within the realm of audiobooks. Plus, I love to read, and I love to learn, so narrating This is Your Quest has been a very enjoyable experience!
Audiobook and the art of story telling – This Is Your Quest is the audiobook you want to hear – Trust me I am the narrator
How do you select which book to narrate?
When selecting a book to narrate, I first want to make sure that the content of the book is a good match for my delivery style. While I believe that my acting has provided me some versatility, enabling me to produce different styles across different genres, there are some titles for which I may just not be the best match. I want to make sure that my voice effectively complements the book’s contents. And, of course, I want to make sure that the book is one to which I would be proud to have my name attached.
What drew you to take on ‘This Is Your Quest’ as a project?
I was very intrigued after reading an excerpt from the book and knew it was something that I would actually enjoy reading. I also felt that the tone of the book was something for which my voice was well-suited. I enjoyed how the narrative takes you through history — the lives, the loves, the myths, the controversies. I found it to be not only educational, but thoroughly entertaining as well.
Audiobooks and the art of story telling – This Is Your Quest is the audiobook you want to hear. Trust me I am the author
In terms of the production process, this was the first audiobook I produced for ACX as well as one of the first projects I completed in my home studio. The editing process is quite tedious and extremely time-consuming, thereby taking slightly more than 2 months of daily attention to complete this 300+ page manuscript. I’ve learned from some of the more experience professionals that this is the usual amount of time typically required to complete a project of this size. So, while challenging at times, it’s also been quite a learning experienced for which I am very grateful.
What was the most fun chapter to record? Why?
I especially enjoyed Part Four on Love, all 9 chapters! It was not only very interesting, but it allowed me to be a bit more playful with my delivery, a bit less journalistic reporter. In that same vein, I also particularly enjoyed Chapter 3 discussing Fables & Fiction.
What was the most difficult chapter to record? Why?
Chapter 7 – So You Think You Are Free was rather challenging from both a narration and editing perspective due to its length. One of the things that narrators must be particularly aware of is maintaining and communicating a certain tone and energy in order to achieve a consistent sound, especially throughout a particular chapter. Without getting into specifics, there are different factors that can affect these levels. It becomes quite challenging when reading (and editing) 44 pages that you remain cognizant of these levels. And just when you think you’re finished and you’ve mastered the narration, you listen back and say, “Oh no, I sound really tired there, I got a little sloppy with that…Redo!!”
How important is it to get the author’s feedback/input on the recording?
The author’s feedback is everything! This book is your child, and it is my responsibility to make you and your book shine!
Audiobooks and the art of storytelling
Do you work from your own home studio?
I do work from a home studio. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many of us to think creatively! I’m very fortunate to have a very quiet environment in which to work, and to know lots of musicians and engineers who have provided some great advice along the way.
How do you prepare for a recording session? As a professional voice actor are there special techniques you use to care and condition your voice?
I’m not sure what other actors do to prepare, but I do have a routine. Being a singer, I’ve already developed good health habits, like eating well, drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated, no smoking, no alcohol, and lots of good old-fashioned sleep! Prior to narration, I have a good breakfast, my morning coffee, then typically sing for about 30 minutes just to wake up my vocal cords. That’s really about it…nothing exotic here!
How does the experience of recording an audiobook compare with the experience of recording a voice over commercial?
The biggest difference, of course, is the length of time; the difference between reading a 9-and-a-half-hour book vs. a 30-second radio spot. They both provide a great deal of satisfaction and pride when they’re completed.
What do you love most about being an artist?
I love singing, I love acting, I love reading, I love speaking. I love the versatility and freedom this profession provides in terms of allowing me to choose what I want to work on and when, working from home is a plus, and it’s also allowed me to meet some really fun and interesting people. It’s also very rewarding to know that someone enjoys listening to me read to them! God blessed me with a nice voice, I owe it to Him to put it to good use.
The key message of this blog article is that If you have a voice use!
“Don’t let fear keep you quiet, you have a voice, so use it. Speak up. Raise your hands. Shout your answer. Make yourself heard. Whatever it takes just find your voice and when you do, fill the damn silence”
I was interviewed recently by Rakhi from New Book Reviewer Blog, if you would like to find out a bit more about me and why you should read my book, read on.
Author Joanne Reed in Seoul, Korea
1. Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Joanne Reed I am a contract lawyer by profession, a published author and blogger. I am a wife, the mother of two teenage daughters and I currently live in Seoul South Korea.
2. Congratulations on your book. So, what inspired you to write this book?
Being an author is a fairly new experience for me. James Baldwin famously said: “I didn’t decide to be an author I discovered I was one.” I relate very much with this, as this is exactly how I feel.
My journey as an author started when I decided to follow the advice of Toni Morrison who said: “If there is a book that you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
I couldn’t find anywhere a book that dealt with all the subjects I was interested in, a book that inspired me but challenged me all the same, a book that could act as a compass when I was feeling lost, a book that could educate, heal and illuminate the mind. So, I decided that I should write such a book myself.
3. What is the book about?
‘This Is Your Quest’ is a self-help book, the book itself is a journey, it guides and coaches the reader to adopt an explorer mindset in their own Quest towards happiness through the trifecta of money, love and health. The book provides valuable lessons from history, philosophy and economics.
Wherever you are in the world, people want the same thing. People want to be happy. So, I made it my personal Quest to try to understand this concept of Happiness using different vantage points, using the wisdom & knowledge from my favorite philosophers & authors and learning valuable lessons from history.
The concept of Happiness is a very fluid concept, and everyone has their own definition of happiness. What makes you happy is different from what makes me happy. Having said that I really wanted to capture this concept of happiness into something that everyone could relate with.
When you look at the etymology of the word “Happiness” it means “living well”. So, if you live well you will find happiness. And the reason why most people believe they will be happy if they are wealthy, in love and in good health is because those 3 things i.e. wealth, love & good health promote well-being. I explore all those subjects in my book.
My own definition of Happiness is the journey to fulfilled yourself through Money, Love and health. Happiness is living a life that is meaningful; filling fulfilled in whatever you do.
This is Your Quest
4. Why did you choose this genre for your book?
I believe that people should live the story they want to tell. It was not my desire to write a piece of fiction. My objective was to write a book that will change people’s live, not by giving them advice as to how they should live, but by exposing them to concepts, philosophies and ways of thinking that have perhaps not been so obvious to them before. I want my book to be a story that could be understood by anyone , a book that will resonate with people from all walks of life; a book where all the little stories will come together to form the Big Picture; a book that can be a road map for people who find themselves disorientated and lost , and if they are, to read it and find their way again.
5. How much time did it take to complete this book?
It took me 9 months, the same amount of time to make a baby. “This Is Your Quest” is my third baby.
6. What makes your Book Special?
My book is very different from the self-help book that you normally find out there. Most self-help book is written from the perspective of the author who wrote the book using their own knowledge, their own expertise and personal experience in a particular area. The author then proceeds by setting-up a set of rules which the reader should follow in order to achieve whichever objective they set themselves
My approach is different. I am not telling people what to do and how they should lead their lives. I am not setting any rules. I am giving my readers enough food for thoughts to go on their own Quest so that they can find the right path for them. And as we know each one of us have a different path to take – different aspirations – different objectives – different mission in life. I think people should read my book because it could potentially change their lives. It is challenging but also inspiring.
7. When is your second book coming?
I don’t have a second book out yet, but I have been working on various versions of my first book. The first edition of my book was released on April 2018 ; I received very good reviews and some of the feedback I received from my readers made me want to refine some points and add some recent events into the book, so I made some revisions and additions to the 1st edition of the book and released the 2nd edition in May 2019. I also translated the English version of the book myself and launched the French version in May 2019. I am currently working with two professional voice actresses to record the audio version of “This Is Your Quest” the English version will be narrated by an American voice actress and the French version of the book ‘En Quete du Bonheur’ will be narrated by a French voice actress. I am really excited about this; I am currently working with Tina Slater on the recording of the English version of the book. Tina’s voice is smooth, engaging, and versatile. She sounds just like the narrator of the TV Series ‘Desperate Housewives’, she really brings the book to life! Watch that space!
8. While writing did you get any writers block? What is the Tip that you will give
I never experienced writers block. I started writing because I had a lot of things to say, there is so much wisdom and knowledge out there some have been forgotten and some have been hidden away; I just wanted to bring those stories back to life and share them with all the curious souls out there.
9. Apart from being a talented author, what are your other hobbies?
I practice martial art Muay Thai and Krav Maga. I also love horse riding and walking in nature.
10. Last but not the least, How did you feel, while giving this interview?
I feel grateful for the opportunity to share a little bit of me and what I do with your followers.
