Happy 2009!

This is Sophie Mokhtari -

2008 has been a challenging year for many of us.  We all have been acutely aware of the difficulties that surround our families, community, country and world.  People everywhere share a sence of stress with finances, health and relationships.  The media dramatizes the plight of Wall Street, the hopelessness of home foreclosures, the bleak forecast of unemployment and a depressed world economy.

Many say Thank God 2008 is over.

I don’t believe in New Year resolutions however I believe in recognizing the need to improve an a regular and daily basis. I strive for internal peace, love to all people, and to give back to the Universe so that the world can be better place for all of us.

* Internal peace starts by accepting and loving myself.  I accept all my experiences, I learn from them and I grow.

* Loving each other is to be kind, to understand and to tolerate each other.  True forgiveness is hard to achieve it but priceless.

 * Giving back to the Universe as the Universe has so generously given me.

2009 will allow me to grow and move on.  I learn from the past,  I look ahead and I am strong.

The lesson of 2008 is that I will not only survive but thrive because I think, believe , act positively and graciously. 

I wish you and all you love ones a blessed 2009 fill with love, joy, harmony, happiness and great health!

Sincerely,

Sophie M.

Hi - This is Sophie,

Yesterday I had lunch with a truly amazing woman, someone who I have known for years and yet I never allowed me to really know her.  I remember the last time we had lunch together. It was years ago, just the two of us.  We were friends.  It was way before my husband and I were married.

We sat in a sun filled garden room in a small restaurant in Westwood and ordered our lunch specials.  We talked and talked for a good two hours.  For the first time in my married life, I saw and appreciated the strength, wisdom, courage and love of my mother-in-law. 

I wrote China Girl to be an advocate for women.  I want to address and lend support to women’s issues and lives.  Yet for years I find myself trapped in a situation so common to so many women.  Thousands of jokes have been told about it.  Society taught us it is the norm.  I believed and lived with the ” wicked mother-in-law”  syndrome.  Both consciously and subconsciously I rejected my mother-in-law.  Perhaps my insecurities within myself lead me to feel she is competition for my husband’s love and affection.

Today is a new day! Actually it started a while back…..

I no longer have those ill feelings towards her.  Things happen in our lives that bring people together.  Recent events and incidences have brought us together.  I am so grateful to realize my own stupidity, stubbornness and selfishness to be blind to her love and care for my family and for me. 

 Thank God for second chances.  I am so grateful for her love, forgiveness and understanding.

 Sincerely,

Sophie M.

Hi - This is Sophie Mokhtari,

On September 28th, in the city of West Hollywood CA, China Girl, will be a part of the West Hollywood Annual Book Fair.  This “transformation novel” and my message of creating a sweet life out of sour circumstances will reach thousands of people.

With much excitment, China Girl, will appear on “authors row”!

I learned about this wonderful book fair just a few weeks ago at my  UTVSLA and Hollywood NOW sponsored book reading. I contacted the book fair and was told that book submissions had been closed for months.  However with the help of great friends and supporters I was able to secure a place for China Girl.

So on September 28, 2008, spend your afternoon with us…writers, storytellers and book lovers at the West Hollywood Book Fair.  And be sure to stop by and to visit with me and China Girl.  The China Girl will be available for sale.  See you there!!!!

Sincerely,

Sophie M.