Reader Views Inter view
By Tyler R. Tichelaar
http://www.readerviews.com/InterviewReidPhyllis.html

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to be joined for an interview by Phyllis Reid, who is here to talk about her new book "Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings: More than Mere Human."

Phyllis Reid holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work, an Honor's Degree in Psychology and a Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science. She works as a Psychotherapist, Behavior Modification specialist and Traumatologist with adults and children. She is trained in Journalism and Dramatic Arts and has worked in Journalism and Stage and Film. She has been a metaphysical/Truth practitioner for over 30 years.

Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Phyllis. Would you start out by telling us why you felt the need to write "Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings?

Phyllis: It is my pleasure to be here. Thank you for having me. A more appropriate answer might be why I published "Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings" at this time, since the book was written in 1988 under the title of "Mountaintop Living." It sat on my bookshelf, joined later by three other manuscripts, until I published it in June of 2007. I changed the title to "Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings: More than Mere Human," as a message to overcoming the stress and strain of today's hectic lifestyle and coping with the demands of daily living.

I felt compelled to publish it at this time to address the high degree of stress, frustration and dis-satisfaction I found to be rampant in the workplace, among associates, co-workers, friends, clients and in talking with people in general. I wanted to contribute more and felt restricted in my role as a clinician. I felt the spiritual component, that could offer so much, was missing. I got great satisfaction from my work as a psychotherapist to children and their families, but I also felt the stress, frustration and emptiness of others and missed being able to offer the hope, peace and contentment of the spiritual component of life.

I then decided to find a way to offer service from a more spirit based perspective to give individuals hope, a sense of control over their own lives and the peace and contentment that would follow. I decided to quit the practice, publish my book and incorporate it in offering alternatives for peace, personal control and lasting change. I must reinforce here that as a society we must offer alternatives to the stress filled, fast paced lifestyles of today. Already we are seeing the impact in the high levels of anxiety among adults and children and the consequences in both the medical and mental health arenas.

Tyler: I understand you drew upon your own experiences in writing the book, particularly in the difficulties of leaving your native Jamaica and transitioning into living in the United States. What about that transition caused you to call upon your spiritual side?

Phyllis: To escape the political turmoil in my country during the seventies I migrated to the United States. At just over thirty, I left a secure job, good career opportunities, family, friends, a good social life and most importantly, the security and stability of functioning in my matriarchal cultural environment. I was always positive, confident and forward thinking and moving.

I made the choice to live in South Florida because of the tropical climate, the cultural mix and I thought I could find a good fit. There was some strain in adjusting to the patriarchal demand to be "tough and aggressive," but my biggest confrontation was adjusting to the strong racial overtone and undertone. In interviews I was frequently asked, "As a black woman how do you think etc." This was illogical and a culture shock for me. I was from a class structured environment where intelligence and character were what mattered, not the color of the skin. A Vice President in a company informed me that I was too intelligent, well spoken and well dressed in silk for a black woman. I was unable to utilize my intelligence and skills. I felt lock out of opportunities to advance and I felt frustrated. The president of a large corporation tried to counsel me in my dilemma, "Phyllis, he said, you have three strikes against you, you are black, a woman and a foreigner, so it is not going to be easy."

I was engaged in spiritual pursuits prior to arriving in the US and continued to do so. However, as I searched for answers to adjust and cope in the new culture and environment I sought spiritual answers. A Pastor told me that I lacked faith and needed to trust in God to help me. My own Minister advised me to turn to the Christ within for answers. So at that point I went all out in my effort to have more "Faith in God" and to know "The Christ within me." It worked. Over an eight-year period, it gave me the answers I needed as well as the peace, strength, added courage, confidence, assurance, and security to cope, adjust and live my life on purpose.