Month: June 2025

“Leo, The 3 Keys” is a great book to read. Indeed, Mr. David Schield’s book is about a boy called Leo, the son of bakers who one afternoon began questioning the career path all traced before him. He wondered if “this is what all life has in store for him… forever destined to be the son of a baker“. Does this mean that he won’t ever experience adventures similar to those he reads about in his books? Despite being raised in a beautiful village, he never felt he truly belonged anywhere in it.

All the above was true… up until he discovered a mysterious garden, which is described in this outstanding book. The latter is not just a journey in a charming garden. Cleverly, it is also about someone finding himself through this external mysterious journey.

The author’s writing style is simple and clear, yet rich. Indeed, Mr. Shield’s clarity and beauty of the language are striking, so is the depth of his expression. Indeed, his writing style is filled with nuances and enriching subtleties. His book is written in a language accessible for kids while being captivating for the inner child within adults.

The imagination of the the writer, Mr. Dave Schields, is refreshing. An example of a paragraph Bambi particularly enjoyed can be found in Chapter 5, entitled “The singing stones”: “I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the melody fill my mind. I focused on the rhythm, on the way the stones seemed to hum with energy. Slowly, I began to move again, feeling my way through the maze, stone by stone. Each time I touched the right stone, the melody shifted, the vibrations growing stronger. When I made a mistake, the hum would falter, and I’d have to adjust my path.”

Of note, Mr. Shields’ elegant writing talent is harmoniously matched by his spouse’s most beautiful illustrations. Yes, Ms. Joëlle Shields’ illustrations are a masterpiece. They do an excellent job in announcing the chapters of the book. As examples, you can see a few of them below.

One thing is sure. If Bambi had children, she would have bought them Mr. Schields’ books (he is highly productive). Thankfully, she now knows what gifts to offer to the children of friends and relatives. She trusts that their parents will enjoy reading them as well. Please keep writing, Mr. Dave Schields and keep drawing, Ms. Joëlle Schields. Your professional collaborations are as beautiful as the love that unites you!

As Dr. Les Carter often reminds us (https://tinyurl.com/4dd69f4c), “stating the obvious, something is not right inside narcissists. For perspective, remember that we humans are hard-wired for relationships, for love and connection.  Literally from Day One we seek out those who can become our safe harbor, and we find contentment as that effort succeeds.  Essentials like trust, empathy, and psychological well-being can flourish when properly nurtured. As you consider the traits of narcissism, you can easily wonder: What went wrong?  Instead of fostering safety, many traits interfered with healthy relationship development”.

Bearing the above in mind, Bambi was happy when she learned that there is a full day devoted to raising awareness about narcissistic abuse since 2016. It is the “World Narcissitic Abuse Awareness Day” and is highlighted on June 1st. As well stated on its website (https://tinyurl.com/4rcznmwj): “unlike physical abuse, narcissistic abuse leaves no physical marks. A form of psychological and emotional abuse, narcissistic abuse is invisible and difficult to prove. Yet, its effects are lasting and harmful”.

One must keep in mind that narcissism is a personality style, to cite Dr. Ramani Durvasula. Like any personality style, it exists on a spectrum. Of course, not all emotional abusers have narcissistic traits or are narcissists (with a disorder of kind of inflated grandiosity and self-esteem, https://tinyurl.com/eate5u2x), as we learn from Dr. David Hawkins’ 40 plus year-long practice. However, all narcissists resort to emotional abuse.

To conclude this post, Bambi will first borrow the beautiful epigraph in Dr. Darren Magee’s book, “Surviving Other People’s Self-Esteem: The Lengths Some People Go to Just to Feel Better Than Others”. The epigraph goes likes this: “Life is ten percent what happens to us, and ninety percent how we react to it.” – Dennis P. Kimbro. Second, she will end with the late Ms. Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous saying “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent“. Self-education is key for empowerment, healing, and personal growth.

Luckily for all of us, in this day and age, we have fast, free access to several resources on narcissistic abuse. This can empower and support those of us who are moving away from toxic relationship. It can also teach some of us tips of self-protection, even when “no contact” is not possible or wanted (e.g., a family member, a co-parent, a boss, etc.). Most importantly, it may also help us avoid potential narcissists in the future (learning about red flags and trusting one’s intuition). Of course, if anyone is in danger (i.e, risk of physical harm), he/she should get immediate help.