Perfect Circles

John Michael is not only an accomplished writer, he is a wonderful motivational speaker, sharing stories and thoughts from his Perfect Circles book, helping others form their own “perfect circles.” Click here to see clips from his presentations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRB7MGbG6SE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG_Zqy5tf38&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysh18vQQOwU&NR=1

Accepting Our Own Worth

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

Lake Arrowhead Mountain News

What is a perfect circle? When confronted with that question, author John Michael Stuart is quick to say it is different for everyone.

In his book of the same name, Stuart calls perfect circles the “circles we draw with our own abilities, without judgment or self-condemnation. They are our unique symbols of self-worth. Only by the acceptance of our own ‘perfect circles’ do we have the capacity to positively influence and accept others as they are.”

Stuart, who has been a part-time Lake Arrowhead resident for years, knows of what he speaks. Born with cerebral palsy, he faces challenges every day as he moves through life, talking with people who sometimes leap to the mistaken conclusion he is mentally challenged in some way.

“That’s my challenge,” Stuart says. “What is yours? We all have something to deal with.”

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Excerpt from Fusion, Glenn Beck, March 2010

Recently, I read an inspiring book called Perfect Circles, Redefining Perfection by John Michael Stuart. Stuart was born with Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition that has impacted his coordination. In his book, he challenges all of us to view our adversities as opportunities for growth and personal development instead of defeat. His life stories become our stories, as we discover the healing power of perspective and as we deal with what appears to be standing in our way. His story reaffirmed what I long thought: That if you live your life with honor and truth, you can achieve anything.

In a recent article for MetaMystic Magazine, author John Michael Stuart addressed the speculation behind the year 2012, and what the approaching date should truly inspire in our lives.

What does the year, 2012 have to teach us about reaching a heightened state of awareness? For many, past and present, this is the year that marks the end of civilization. On one end of the spectrum this thought can fill us with fear and dread. While on the other end, it can bring us into the joy of the present. Knowing that life as we know it will change at a specified point in time can give us great cause to celebrate the moments we’re NOW experiencing irrespective of our perceived challenges and hardships . . .

Read the full article here.

by CJ Carl
Book stores across the planet are filled with an abundance of self-help books of every description. One thing many of them have in common is that, while they sound good and a logical mind will see their value, they often do not touch a nerve. Their approach, and their effect, is general and therefore lacks impact to motivate us. It is in this respect that “Perfect Circles, Redefining Perfection” by John Michael Stuart, MSW, stands out.

Read the full article at The Las Vegas MetaMystic.
Listen to the interview here. 10/14/09 show

Author John Michael Stuart takes The SPQ. His first book, Perfect Circles: Redefining Perfection challenges each of us to face our own disabilities, what he calls our “imperfections,” by rethinking the real meaning of perfect. With humor and humility, John’s own personal experiences will motivate you to not only accept others, but also accept yourself.

1.     How long did your manuscript take, start to finish?

The actual manuscript took me about nine months to complete.

2.     Did you do special research?

The research for my book, Perfect Circles came through the rich accumulation of insights from living with a physical disability, Cerebral Palsy. Much of the information was also drawn from the professional experiences I received while working as a social worker in both hospice and rehabilitative settings.

3.     How long before you held the first copy in your hands?

Being that Perfect Circles is my first book; it took a year after completing the initial manuscript to get it published. I did a lot of research of different publishing options before finally deciding on a publisher that accepted the manuscript. It took about five to six additional months to get the finished product from Stephens Press that I was quite pleased with.

4.     How do you write? When the mood strikes or certain time of day for writing? Word count goals?

I wrote a lot of my book while at my family’s mountain house in Lake Arrowhead, California. A good walk in nature sparked my creativity.  I wrote up to 4,000 words on some days. Sometimes I wrote as little as 300 words and sometime none if there was writer’s block. I tried to write five days a week.

5.     Do you outline first?

Absolutely! I wrote a complete outline before beginning the actual writing of the book.

6.     Do you listen to music while you write? If so what type of music?

Yes! I listened to all types of music from Classical, Jazz to New Age depending on what I was in the mood for.

7.     What is your favorite adjective and verb?

“Beautiful” and “Being”

8.     Which book have you read again and again?

A Course in Miracles

9.     What is your favorite book title (not the book, just the title)?

Man’s Search for Meaning

10.Which author would you most like to meet, living or dead?

Viktor E. Frankl

11.Would you rather get paid to read or get paid to write?

Getting paid for writing would be nice.

12.What is the strangest comment or experience you’ve had about your book or writing?

It’s funny how creativity always came while in the shower.

13.Your best advice for novice writers?

Start with writing down ideas/thoughts, holding nothing back. Think creatively, outside the box! Believe that there’s a book within you just waiting to be written and that your message/story is important to your future readers.

14.Your best marketing techniques?

I’ve written small articles for magazines. This gives readers a sample of your writing both on style and subject matter without actually giving them your book. Always give the website or other information at the conclusion of the article, directing them where they can purchase your book.

15.The future of printed books . . . ?

People love to hold a book and technology will never take that away. There will always be printed books.

By John M. Stuart, MSW

I and a friend decided to take a hike in the beautiful and majestic Red Rock Canyon. In years past, I had hiked most of the area’s marked trails, except one known as Turtlehead Peak. This scenery seemed desolate, treacherous and uninviting to me with its grey granite and sharp volcanic shale. Conjuring up a new sense of adventure, Turtlehead Peak was the only option.

As we began our journey, my hiking companion eagerly asked if I could see the formation in the shape of a turtle’s face up on the peak. As I looked up trying to see what he was referring to, my uncertainty caused by my footing made it only possible to see a bunch of ugly rocks that sooner or later, I would have to contend with. As we rounded the bend, I was asked to take another look. It was like magic! There in front of me was a high peak in the formation of the head of a giant turtle. The landscape didn’t change, only my perception of it.

Often, life is like looking at Turtlehead Peak. At first it may appear to be a meaningless bunch of rocks to later discover purposeful formations after putting aside our fears and uncertainties. Life’s experiences bring new landscapes that we must traverse. Many formations we encounter have such smooth sandstone beauty to them that we welcome their presence all along the way. These beautiful formations easily give meaning to the journey as they are pleasing to the eye and pose only minimal difficulty for even the most inexperienced hiker. However there are those formations appearing to be the most barren of granite and sharpest of shale that seem to impede on the human experience to the degree that even the most advanced hiker will question the challenge.

If no growth opportunities can be found in our particular set of life circumstances then we must become more aware in how we perceive them. At the top of TurtleheadPeak, above all the sharp and jagged rocks, there is a formation that has a purposeful shape or opportunity for our growth and development if we will take the time to adjust our lens. Since life doesn’t always give us a choice of the landscape we prefer, it is up to us to make EVERY trek, even the most strenuous ones, into an opportunities for growth. The sharp shale comes in the form of sicknesses, disabilities, shaky economies and a whole host of potential barriers. We should always make the effort to take the safest marked trail, but when the landscape turns less then pleasant, the effort is ours to readjust our focus, taking a more introspective look at the purposeful formations awaiting our awareness to see them from a heightened vantage point. Remember! We’re not victims of random circumstance and meaningless terrain but real adventure ready to transform every challenge into opportunities for our growth and development. NOW is the time to let this grand journey begin!

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