With her new book, "T.R.U.T.H.: Taking Responsibility Unleashes True Healing," Ooltewah author Mary Ellen Ciganovich's goal is to bring peace and healing to the reader, she said.
The struggle to find peace is one she knows all too well. Diagnosed with epilepsy at age 6 and multiple sclerosis in 1986, Ciganovich's first book, "Healing Words, Life Lessons to Inspire," shares her personal journey and some of the lessons she learned along the way.
While promoting her first book in 2011, Ciganovich began sharing a "truth of the day" with followers and friends. "T.R.U.T.H." is a compilation of those posts, along with fresh words of wisdom she wrote especially for the book. Its 72 vignettes are focused on making the reader aware of their own errors so they can take responsibility for those errors as opposed to blaming others for their problems, she said. Topics include how to take yourself out of your comfort zone to change your outlook, and understanding that problems are simply a matter of one's perception.
"In our society today, I see more and more that we as humans need to take responsibility for our own actions," Ciganovich said. "Always see your life as a lesson instead of always blaming someone else."
After being diagnosed with epilepsy as a child, she said she was raised to see herself as a victim. But when she was diagnosed with MS as an adult, she decided she wanted to handle the condition on her terms.
"I decided I was going to create my own picture of MS; I'm going to control it, not let it control me," said Ciganovich.
Awareness of one's attitude is the first and most difficult step toward changing it, she said, but Ciganovich also admits that living the truths she writes about continues to be hard work.
"It's about not getting to the end of your life and wishing you did things better, but doing things better now," she said. "Take responsibility and seize the day and live your life that way."
"T.R.U.T.H." is available for $14.95 on Amazon.com or on her website at askmaryellen.com.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.