In The Service Of Life

A gentle, straightforward meditation on mortality, death and the afterlife, this is the first book of its kind to explore the pagan attitude to life, of which death is simply another aspect. Addressing both spiritual and physical concerns, O'Gaea provides thoughtful advice on a variety of topics from theology and ritual to spells and reflections on reincarnation, along with practical advice on the Hospital ritual and how to handle funeral arrangements. Blending common sense, Wiccan theology, experience and compassion here is a unique exploration of society's last great taboo.

'I recommend this book highly to everyone.' – Deepak Chopra, M.D. This special updated version of the New York Times-bestseller, Kitchen Table Wisdom, addresses the same spiritual issues that made the original a bestseller: suffering, meaning, love, faith, and miracles. 'Despite the awesome powers of technology, many of us still do not live very well,' says Dr. Rachel Remen. 'We may need to listen to one another's stories again.' Dr. Remen, whose unique perspective on healing comes from her background as a physician, a professor of medicine, a therapist, and a long-term survivor of chronic illness, invites us to listen from the soul. This remarkable collection of true stories draws on the concept of 'kitchen table wisdom', the human tradition of shared experience that shows us life in all its power and mystery and reminds us that the things we cannot measure may be the things that ultimately sustain and enrich our lives.

Mention a diplomatic career and most people imagine high-level meetings, formal dress and cocktail parties. Few stop to think that behind the occasional glitter of official functions are thousands of families facing all the routines and crises of life-births, deaths, childrearing, divorce-far from home, relatives, and friends, in an unfamiliar and sometimes unfriendly country and culture. This book provides reflections and perspectives on the realities of Foreign Service life as experienced by members of the Foreign Service community around the world. The writers share their unvarnished views on a wide variety of topics they care about: maintaining long-distance relationships, raising teens abroad, dealing with depression, coping with evacuations, readjusting to life in the United States, and many others. These are stories from the diplomatic trenches-true experiences from those who have lived the lifestyle and want to share their hard-learned lessons with others. If you are new to the Foreign Service, this book will offer insights and practical information useful in your overseas tours and when you return home. Even if you are a seasoned veteran of the Foreign Service, the reports and reflections of others may encourage you to compare and evaluate your own experiences. If you (or your partner) are contemplating joining the Foreign Service, this book can serve as a reality check, giving you honest, personal perspectives on both the positive and negative aspects of Foreign Service life. If you are a student wondering what the Foreign Service is all about, this book will broaden your knowledge and provide you with an insider's view not found in any textbook.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live a life shrouded in secrecy? On 3 January 1983, an 18-year-old college student from South Georgia entered the Main Entrance of CIA''s fortified compound in Langley, Virginia, where she raised her right hand and swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Standing there, she could never have imagined the ways in which she would honor that oath before she exited those same doors almost 32 years later - moving from supporting various CIA missions to serving as a "bad insider" who exposed a critical weakness that impacted the entire Intelligence Community to handling one of the Agency''s most prized reporters to building, leading, and managing sensitive, high-profile operations pursuing foreign spies and terrorists - or the family who would be impacted by all of this. A Life of Service, Sacrifice, and Secrets is a gripping first-hand account of a small-town girl determined to serve her country, who found her life''s purpose in a covert CIA career that spanned the Cold War to the Global War on Terror. Did key figures and opportunities just happen to surface around her over the years, repeatedly landing her in a position to make a difference, or did a Higher Power have a hand in those events? This teen from the Bible Belt rose through the Agency ranks, ultimately using her talents to both enhance national security and to disrupt the efforts of foreign spies and terrorists. LaRee Harding wrote this deeply personal memoir for her daughters, not only to share her life lessons but also to provide them a glimpse into what she was doing when she missed so much of their lives. Equally important, she hoped her story demonstrates that sometimes good things happen when life doesn''t unfold as we planned. After almost a year of pushing, former colleagues persuaded LaRee to publish her story. They stressed that this first-hand account of her career provided a unique, realistic window into CIA Intelligence Officers'' work and home life. LaRee is quick to note that CIA employees knowingly sign up for A Life of Service, Sacrifice, and Secrets, but it is thrust upon their families. For a variety of reasons, she chose to publish this version under a pseudonym. As LaRee did not intend to publish this memoir, she is donating 100% of her portion of the royalties to The CIA Officers Memorial Foundation -- an independent charity supporting the needs of CIA families. "Of all the books I''ve read about the CIA, this engaging account is the best for capturing the home and work life of an intelligence officer. LaRee''s perceptiveness, competence, energy, and passion for the CIA mission shine through as she outlines her valuable lessons learned. Anyone wondering what it is like to work inside should read this leader and mother of two children''s account of her remarkable career." - Mike Mears, retired CIA Chief of Human Capital "This story brilliantly illustrates the sacrifices CIA officers make through love of country and dedication to making the world a safer place. These sacrifices are not made in a vacuum and forever impact our families, but in the end you hope you make them proud." - M.A. Sotos, retired CIA "A gripping read. It''s been over 10 years since I picked up a book and read it all the way through, non-stop. I couldn''t put it down. So many of the stories told reminded me of moments in my own career...some of the vignettes even generated familiar memories of the stresses of urgency and uncertainty. At the front end of my application, an officer interviewing me recommended to me a specific book as a window into the biz. Great book, but this one is better and more relevant today. I seriously believe it should be in the applicant curriculum." - callsign "Hippo", retired CIA Operations Officer