Uncategorized Archives - Susan Jagannath

How to help in an impossible situation – Together

Susan Jagannath — Tue, 11 May 2021 09:47:19 +0000

I thought I would post a blog about how we could all get together to help fight the COVID catastrophe in India. I have donated myself multiple times, and I know that so many of you want to help too but don’t know how to. I found out that my friend and business bestie, Seema had had COVID, along with her entire family, and being the awesome soul that she is, she has come with with a win-win for everyone, so I decided to share her story and her initiative, and you can all join in.

This is Seema’s story

I’m sharing my Covid Journey PLUS how you can help support thousands of people who are currently at the mercy of an ineffective Government and an overwhelmed medical system here in India Listen to my story on Anchor or Spotify (you can listen to the full episode in one go or listen in parts):

Read my story on Medium:

How we got Covid.
Why it took us so long to figure out we had Covid.
Our Covid Journey – the good, the bad and the ugly.
What we would do IF we had to do it again (to be published)

Here’s how you can help:

For the next 3 days, I’ve made everything in my shop https://learnwithseema.teachable.com/ pay what you want; which means that you can get any of these products at a fraction of the cost – here’s how to take advantage of this offer.

Head over to either Khalsa Aid https://www.khalsaaid.org/donate or Hemkunt Foundation https://hemkuntfoundation.com/donate-now/ and make a donation of at least $25 USD (or the equivalent in your currency).

Send me a copy of your receipt/screenshot of payment at seema@contentbyseema.com and I’ll send over a special code for 100% off any product in my shop plus instructions on how to redeem your gift.

My goal is to raise at least $3000 over the next 3 days so I hope you will be part of this effort with me.

Some important information and questions you might have:

Do I have to donate $25 only?

Absolutely not – the minimum donation is $25 USD but you are free to donate as much as you can! The more people we can help the better 🙂

I can’t donate through these links:

I got you – you can use https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/helpindiabreathe or send me an email at seema@contentbyseema.com with the amount you want to donate and I’ll send you a PayPal link instead.

Why do you want us to donate directly?

A few reasons:

So that these charities get 100% of your funds with nothing lost to PayPal and foriegn currency transactions.
So you can be sure that your money is going to the right place.
So you can claim any tax exemptions you might be eligible for.

Why aren’t you donating directly?

My husband and I have already donated close to $2000 directly to Hemkunt Foundation and to some people that we know – we will continue to donate from our personal funds as we are able. Going through this journey has taught me that it really does take a village to make a miracle happen and that’s why I wanted to reach out to and involve my Global Village so that we can all make a difference together.

I hope you’ll join me on this journey to make a difference,

Please feel free to reply with any questions you might have.

Together we can!

P.S. Whether you choose to donate or not, please take a minute to forward or share this email with your friends and family – we may be drops in the ocean but together we can make a decent sized splash.

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Happy International Womens Day 2021

Susan Jagannath — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 01:12:37 +0000

Why and How to Celebrate it?

Why not? I take any opportunity to celebrate, as a mother of three sons and a daughter, I’m overjoyed that I was able to give birth to the awesome four. As a grandmother, I adore my grandaughter with a passion that is hard to comprehend. Obsessed they call me ;).

The best and safest way to celebrate it is to try a book from a woman author.

Read a book by a Woman

Because there are fewer women authors over the centuries who had the time or lifespan to sit down and write, though that is changing today. 2019 statistics reveal that women authors Michelle Obama and JK Rowling topped the Amazon bestseller list. This is a far cry from a short while ago when JK Rowling began her career, as well, JK Rowling, not an obviously female author. That said, I have to admit that my list of favourite authors only includes one woman, Diana Gabaldon (The other two are Bernard Cornwell and Lee Child). Pick up a new author to read, after all we’re human and stories are our lifeblood. It’s what makes us, well, human. So my resolution for March is to read more works from women authors – send me your recommendations.

Be Diverse

Better still, advance the diversity cause, because diversity is good for all of us. You may have read or heard of Vikram Seth as A Suitable Boy, but have you read Arundhathi Raja and The God of Small Things? I get really excited when a new Indian woman author emerges, but I’m often disappointed when I discover that the ones who are traditionally published are mostly from the Diaspora, having grown up in the West and not in India. Not today though, there are more and more women in India publishing. Like me!

Be Amazed

As I was, on this adventure, I had no idea that I would be conquering not the mountains, but an ancient taboo and myth. You can read more about it in my book, The Valley of Flowers. I’ve discounted all three of my books for a week or so..I’ll keep it discounted as long as I see downloads happening, because I love to share my adventures with you. In Chasing Himalayan Dreams you will fnd me on trail that was forbidden to me as a teenager because I was a girl.

Grab one or more or all, and if you’ve already read them, do share the link.

Note: In a bit of happy weirdness, the paperback edition of The Camino Ingles:6 Days to Santiago, has sold 4 times as many books in Feb 2021, as it did in Feb 2020. Reasons? I don’t know but I’m not complaining!

A Dash of Adventure

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Who dares say you can’t write a bestseller in 2021?

Susan Jagannath — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 00:26:25 +0000

Is it possible to go from no-idea to fully planned bestseller in 90 minutes without a brain transplant from JK Rowling?

My Business Bestseller Canvas is my secret weapon to get your book planned and ready to go in a single day.

You may not believe that, so come join me on this free live series of Bestseller Bytes where we can do a bit of forensic investigation to learn the surprising facts about publishing a bestseller today.

In the live event we’ll investigate the arcane “truths” that may be holding you back, and reveal what’s happening today.

Here are three authors like you who initially did not believe they could write a quality book so fast.

“I loved Susan Jagannath’s online Business Bestseller Canvas Bootcamp. We were encouraged to ‘Write to the Plan”. Roy Uprichard, Camino Walker and Author

“I wasn’t sure about whether I could write a book. But now I am inspired by how doable it is using Susan’s methods.” Anju Agast Srivats, Tech Founder

“I was incredibly surprised how I was able to plan my book within days, and actually begin writing immediately.” Drew Niemeyer, Health & Wellness

Come join me as I debunk some myths – and have some fun.
Click the button and come join me!

Livestream Me!

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It’s Valentine’s months already, and before we know it, it will be Easter –

Susan Jagannath — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 07:38:23 +0000

Nameless in Emails

Recently, ok, just now, I transferred all my email subscribers over to Send Fox, as it promises better deliverability, and I have crossed the magic threshold of 1000 subscribers, and now the autoresponder wants to hit me with ridiculous charges. Honestly, I’d rather post Valentine day cards to you, its a better use of money. Note: If you like, send me your snail mail address, or the address of someone who would like a Valentine Days card and I will send them one. Pinky Promise. And it can be a Biz address or PO Box – if you think I will be turning up at your doorstep!

But I digress,,

A big welcome to all the new subscribers who joined my newsletter via the e-reader giveaway, I hope that one of you won the ereader, and are happily ensconced reading the wonderful selection of books. Never fear, my newsletters are short and unspammy, and alas, can be erratic. Do let me know if you want me to email more frequently.

How to read more books

For Christmas, I got two of my favourite authors, the latest books ( in paperback) from Lee Child and Bernard Cornwell. Yes, I admit it, I love a good thriller. What books did you get? You may remember that I got a new Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas as well. So my reading cup is full, I have on it a hefty selection of non-fiction, sci-fi, thrillers and historical fiction. A lot of them are from my author friends, because, well, they write well.Back to resolutions – more walking, less grumbling about lack of travel, and more gratitude. Also it’s Valentines this month – and what better gift can there be than a book?

It keeps you away from Doom Scrolling and Bridgerton.

I’d love to hear back from you, and do tell me what books you are reading, and what trails you are walking this month, if only in your imagination. As for me, I have just finished recording the videos for my first online course, more on that later.

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Business Bestseller Bootcamp 2 Days and it’s done

Susan Jagannath — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 06:22:25 +0000

Transcript

Join me for a two-day immersion experience and walk away with everything you need to go from no idea to your own business bestseller blueprint for 2021.

On December 29th and 30th we will work together in six sessions across the two days to get your business bestseller blueprint done and dusted and ready.

I’m going to give you everything of how you can do it someone actually challenged me on this so I’m going to show you that you can actually do your complete business bestseller blueprint in two days and I’ll tell you a secret I actually write my books in the full two days but that would be 24 hours – we’re going to be together for about six sessions of one hour each.

In between you’ll go away and do the work and come back with your bestseller canvas done. I’ll give you give you everything which you need to write a business bestseller in 2021 because the world has completely changed.

Everything old is gone. You cannot use the same ideas which you were using last year or in 2019. This is a fresh two-day live immersion experience we’re going to work together, we’re going to co- create your book and my book and everyone’s book. You have two options one is the free option where you can join and just bring a blank notebook walk away with your business best seller blueprint or be a VIP for $99 fee and get the tools and templates, and recordings.

I’m as excited over this as a child waiting for Christmas!

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Betanzos to Bruma on the Camino Ingles

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 12:49:46 +0000

Day Four on the Camino Ingles was the hardest day, with a steep climb out of Betanzos, and then later in the day, the longest and steepest climb from Cafe Julia to Visono and then a long stretch into Bruma. But you are rewarded with great vistas and an eye-blindingly bright decor at the restaurant at Presedo. Day Four is also the midpoint of your hike, sometime in the middle of the day, you are suddenly closer to Santiago than to Ferrol and that makes a huge difference to your psyche. The path is mostly fields, with a few patches of forest, which was good as it was a hot day. However, today, route changes have made it an easier walk, with the rerouting of the path from Leiro to A Travesas totally skirting the steep hill.

Here we passed the Museo- Meson, a gloriously garish restaurant in Presedo. It was too early for lunch, but with our new rules in place, we had cafe con leche. It’s a rule that you have to stop and have a café con leche whenever you find it on the Ingles – at least in my book. By all reports, this restaurant has excellent food as well. So it’s a serious reason to stop at the Presedo Albergue for the night, if only to eat here!

The hotel at Meson do Vento was a good choice, as after a hot and tiring day, we liked having a hotel to relax in, despite the albergue in Bruma containing a portion of the ancient “Hospital” or hostel for pilgrims. Sometimes one has to pick one’s battles.

If you want to read all about the more important stuff, like how you can walk the Camino in just 6 days, check out my book.

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The First Day on the Camino Ingles from Ferrol

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 22:05:21 +0000

The Camino Ingles is an authentic pilgrimage route for English and Northern European pilgrims in the middle ages, who came by sea from their homelands to La Coruña or Ferrol, and then walked to Santiago. Santiago de Compostela is roughly 60 km from La Coruña, and 120 km from Ferrol. To gain the compostela, you must walk at least 100 km, hence the modern-day preference for Ferrol as the starting point, though there is a campaign asking Cathedral authorities to allow pilgrims starting from La Coruña to gain the compostela.

As of 2017, it is possible to walk 30 km in your own country, and then start on the Ingles from La Coruna.

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You must get your credencial and get it stamped for those 30 kms. So why were we doing the Camino?

What’s a Camino?
The Camino is a pilgrimage, a route that has been around for over a thousand years. Anyone who has done the Camino gets a lot of credibility that can be applied to any goal in your life. This is just the first step. I had no intentions of writing a book – I wanted to walk to achieve a health goal and to prove to myself that I could do this! And I did much more than that – the Camino Ingles also launched me on a bestselling author journey.

This is hubby and me starting out from the docks at Ferrol, with the port behind us and the first marker of the Camino Ingles in front of us. After weeks of training, and a long journey from Australia we are finally here and ready to walk. Boots on, hats on, rain gear handy, and water bottles filled, but where do we get the credencial?

At the start of the Ingles

The tourist office had run out of them, was there a mob of pilgrims ahead of us? So we got the credencial from the exquisite little Cathedral, just before the office closed for siesta. It’s always good for a bit of sheer magnificence before a 15 km trek .. and yes, we did get lost on the first day.

That’s why I created maps for the cities! Download my sketch maps.

The local authorities in Ferrol are actively promoting the Camino Ingles. Here is a great promotional video about the first few kilometres of the way through Ferrol itself.

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The Adventure Gene

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:33:13 +0000

Where do I get my cravings for adventure from?

Do you think there is an adventure gene? and where does yours come from? My Mum was probably the one who engendered this love for adventure because we were always going on picnics, she and Dad were always going out on shikar, (very politically incorrect nowadays but not in their time) Shikar is ‘hunting’ in India. And then there were the frequent fishing trips. Our camping trips were in full military fashion, proper campsites with field kitchens and field trench latrines, and snake trenches dug around every tent. But my mum didn’t like was mountains.

She did not like Kashmir because of the feeling of being entrapped in the mountains and that’s another story which I can tell you another day. But I absolutely love mountains. We went to Kashmir when I was about seven or eight, and it was like being transported into a magical realm with running streams and lakes with island covered with trees, poplar lined lanes, and banks of wild roses tumbling over hedges and gates and irises standing tall in the muddy lanes, and even growing on earthy roof tops.

Adventure

I went from the mountains in the north of India, straight to boarding school in the Nilgiri mountains in the south. A long way to travel, but my homesickness was allayed slightly by the gentler tea bush covered slopes, and the forests of eucalyptus that had replaced the native flora.

And then there was Darjeeling. Darjeeling means the place of the Thunderbolt, because from Darjeeling is framed by a magnificent view of Kanchenjunga. In folklore, Kanchenjunga is the home of a goddess who hurls Thunderbolts at Darjeeling when she is angry. My kind of goddess. So I was rather pleased when I read up about that when researching for my book on the Himalaya trek. My next book is out – its about my himalayan trek. Come and join me

Thanks for being part of my Himalayan journey. Join me! as I get on with writing my book!

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The Seeds of Adventure – A Personal Post

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 12:24:49 +0000

Where do I get my cravings for adventure from?

I think adventure may be a genetic thing. My Mum was probably the one who engendered this love for adventure because we were always going on picnics, she and Dad were always going out on shikar, (very politically incorrect nowadays but not in their time) Shikar is ‘hunting’ in India. And then there were the frequent fishing trips. Our camping trips were in full military fashion, proper campsites with field kitchens and field trench latrines, and snake trenches dug around every tent.

But the one thing my mum didn’t like was mountains. She did not like Kashmir because of the feeling of being entrapped in the mountains and that’s another story which I can tell you another day. But I absolutely love mountains. We went to Kashmir when I was about seven or eight, and it was like being transported into a magical realm with running streams and lakes with island covered with trees, poplar lined lanes, and banks of wild roses tumbling over hedges and gates and irises standing tall in the muddly lanes, and even growing on roof tops.

A painting of Kashmir from the book, Kashmir by Francis Younghusband.

Thanks for being part of my Himalayan journey.

Join me! as I get on with writing my book!

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What does International Women’s Day have to do with Trekking

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 01:34:27 +0000

Transcript Summary below, or you can listen to the audio only at the bottom of the page.

Happy International Women’s Day! The first thing I saw on my Facebook feed today was last year’s video where I was actually in the forest but today I’m here at home. One of the reasons why I am at home is that it’s a bit cloudy outside and also I just didn’t wake up in time, as you know I’ve been really absorbed in writing my book of late.

What has International Women’s Day got to do with my Himalaya trek?

One of the things I noticed was that there were no other women trekkers on the trail. I was like the last woman walking! I’m wondering whether that should be the title of my book last woman walking. It is nearly 40 years since I wanted to do this trek. It’s not that I procrastinated, it’s just that when I had the time and the motivation I wasn’t allowed to. It was considered to be too dangerous and too inappropriate.

I’m at home now talking about International Women’s Day and how it linked to my trek. One of the things which disturbed me on the trek was that the tea houses were run by women, that’s not bad, this is a matriarchal society, but all of them had said that their men had gone down to the plains to work. If you go trekking in the Himalayas or anywhere in a remote area where the people are dependent on traffic from tourists, please spend your money wisely. In the Himalayas do not do it yourself and camp on the roadside in a tent because, one it’s dangerous and two – you’re depriving people of a livelihood. Definitely go with the group which employs the local people. On our trek we stayed in local tea houses, all of them except the last one were run only by women. In the last one, though the man was there, work was being done by the mother and the daughter-in-law. And the daughter-in-law was really cranky with me, but afterwards I discovered that she had a toothache and a baby who hadn’t slept for a couple of nights so I forgave her.

A Shadow on the Sleeping Buddha

That’s what we do as women, we should help each other. The other thing that disturbed me – was trafficking. There were posters everywhere about trafficking. In the wake of after any natural disaster, people rush in, to help or to buy up desperate girls and children for the brothels. This slave trade is a major problem in the remote Himalayan areas especially near Nepal. It was good that there were phone numbers encouraging people to call if they thought that any trafficking of women was going on. But I’m not sure how that works in areas where the phone coverage is patchy.

This was a shadow on my beautiful trek to Sandakphu to view Kanchenjunga.

International Women’s Day is a chance to help other women and encourage you to go out after your heart’s desire but not to forget the ones who love you and those might be men. As the mother of three wonderful sons, I know that sometimes they get annoyed with all this talk about women women women and the ‘ultra feminism’ of some people.

It’s for men too!

International Women’s Day is about men and women because there’s not a single person here who has not been born of a woman. Just as a girl needs a particular type of nurturing, a boy needs more nurturing. I’ve seen that in my own family that male infants are emotionally fragile, and its not helpful to be too tough with them.

This is the only room in the house which has got good light, unfortunately on Thursday mornings the garbage truck goes by and you can hear that! Have a great woman’s day and think of the women in your life. Also keep an eye on the fragile men in your life or the strong men in your life, there’s some men in your life who are your rocks and there are some men who maybe are needing your nurturing. That’s what we as women are very very good at!

If you haven’t joined my book launch street team, do join and help me to launch my book. Self-publishing is a misnomer – you need a team to help you publish, to help you promote and I would love to have you on my team.

Thanks for being part of my Himalayan journey.

Join me! as I get on with writing my book!

International Womens Day and the Himalayas?

https://skywalked.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IWDAudio.m4a

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