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Taja Sevelle has contributed a moving piece about a lunch with the iconic music artist, Prince

Taja Sevelle New York Times articleCheck out Florence Fabricant’s NEW YORK TIMES review of One Last Lunch, by Erica Heller. Author and recording artist, Taja Sevelle has contributed a moving piece about a lunch with the iconic music artist, Prince, in Erica Heller’s One Last Lunch.

 “One Last Lunch is a powerful, surprise-filled read that is as charming and funny as it is moving.” —Helen Mirren

Taja Sevelle’s lunch with Prince takes place in the Beverly Hills Hotel in California, and gives the reader a window into a heartwarming relationship between the two close friends.

Charming and uplifting, the fabled lunch is peppered with Taja’s    selections of real-life shared moments with Prince, revealing humor, social awareness, and of course, menu proclivities.

One Last Lunch: A Final Meal with Those Who Meant So Much to Us (Abrams Press; May 12, 2020; U.S $25.00; Hardcover.) Available also on Amazon:

Who wouldn’t love the opportunity to sit down, break bread, and just talk? Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to ask those unasked questions, or share those unvoiced feelings? In One Last Lunch, Heller, an acclaimed memoirist herself, has asked friends and family of authors, artists, musicians, comedians, actors, and others, to recount one such fantastic repast. Kirk Douglas asks his father what he thought of him becoming an actor. Taja Sevelle asks Prince piercing questions. Sara Moulton dines with her friend Julia Child. Richard Lewis has lunch with Jonathan Winters. These richly imagined stories are endlessly revealing, about the subject, the writer, the passage of time, regret, gratitude, and the power of enduring love.

Conversations in the book include:

  •  Daniel Bellow (son) and Saul Bellow
  • Carinthia West (friend, collaborator) and David Bowie
  • Lee Clow (collaborator, friend) and Steve Jobs
  • Elizabeth Mailer (daughter) and Norman Mailer
  • Taja Sevelle (protégé, close friend) and Prince
  • Rain Pryor (daughter) and Richard Pryor
  • Cameron West (acquaintance) and Robin Williams
  • Richard Lewis (close comedy pal) and Jonathan Winters
  • Erica Heller (daughter) and Joseph Heller (Author of Catch 22.)

Purchase One Last Lunch, by Erica Heller at Amazon

About the Author

Erica Heller is the author of the memoir Yossarian Slept Here; a novel, Splinters; and 300 Ways to Say No to a Man, a humor book illustrated by Seymour Chwast. She has contributed to the New York Observer, Huffington Post, and other publications.

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What does Healing From The Root Mean?

When I consider all the brutal and graceful incidents that have created the overall story of humankind, I cannot ignore the effect all that brutality has had on our collective emotional state. These roots have led us to have many unhealthy, inaccurate thoughts and beliefs about ourselves and one another. Just like plants that can develop what is called “root rot” (which kills the plant), we can create the same condition for ourselves and our societies. Unhealthy thought processes are bred on any ground where we are not showing love to ourselves and others. Incidentally, Prince’s charity was called Love 4 One Another. He knew the critical importance of that simple title and profound act…

…As an artist, I have a distinct need to learn and absorb as much as I can about myself and others. The more I learn, the more deeply I can feel, which leads to more meaningful content in my songs as well as deeper emotion in my vocal delivery. It also leads to a more meaningful understanding of self and others. —From The Root, A Memoir and A Philosophy for Balance in Our World, pp 65

When we have a deeper, empathetic understanding of ourselves and others, we naturally begin to heal. This is the first step towards Healing Our World From The Root.

What steps can you take to begin healing painful experiences and emotions in your life? What steps are you ready to take to begin healing broken relationships in your life?

When I have healed broken relationships, the results had similarities and differences. What do I mean by that? Well, some relationships were restored completely. Some were restored partially. Some were never restored, but the peace within me was restored, and I was still able to forgive and find love for the other person, even though I may never “hang out” with them again.

The main similarity came from the peace that I acquired within—that was the constant—the factor that always resulted from the healing…From The Root.

I hope this information has been helpful!

Peace and love,

Taja

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Again with the Thoughts…

Okay, please hang in there with me, as I plan to blog for the next few weeks about the importance of healthy thinking. In my opinion, Healthy Thinking is one of the pillars of a strong foundation for an abundant and balanced life. It required focused discipline for me in the beginning. I had to create new habits for myself. The results gave me a great “return on my investment” of time, effort, energy, and personal responsibility. It changed my life, for the better!

The Mayo Clinic suggests paying attention to your thought life in order to change patterns of long-held thoughts and beliefs that may be inaccurate, fear-based, and self-defeating.12 Royce Morales, Founder of “Perfect Life Awakening,” is a personal development teacher. Her method involves tracing habitual thoughts and beliefs that may hinder us, back to earlier years when these beliefs began. She literally teaches us how to trace these patterns back to their root. By understanding where our beliefs about ourselves came from, we can heal and “re-program” patterns that have become subconscious and rote. When we set out to develop new patterns of thinking and living, we face the challenge of employing self-discipline and personal responsibility. Without them, most victories would never happen. Success rarely comes without working diligently….working smart.

Taking responsibility for one’s habits is not always easy. Some people suggest limiting the amount of news you watch, since many news stations tend to focus on disturbing stories rather than uplifting information. I also suggest putting together a personal routine and sticking to it to the best of your ability. For instance, if you plan to exercise for an hour in the morning and you suddenly don’t have the time, it’s helpful to exercise even for a just few minutes that morning in order to keep the routine going. It’s also helpful to put motivational quotations on your walls, and to keep a journal of your progress and your journey. -From The Root, A Memoir and A Philosophy for Balance in Our World, pp 61 Available on Amazon:

Stay Encouraged!

Articles featuring Royce Morales and Amazon link to her books:

 

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Thoughts: The Building Blocks of Our Reality.

Thoughts are electrostatic and magnetic energy. When you shift your thought, you shift the vibration, or the movement of electrons around you. When you shift your rate of vibration via your thoughts, you attract the “like” vibration, and like a magnet, more “like” vibrations come your way. The science of psychoneuroimmunology explores the relationship between the mind, the nervous system and the immune system. Sure, it’s a larger than average word. I don’t know who makes the words up, but it breaks down quite easily: psycho (relating to the mind) neuro (relating to the nerves or nervous system), immun (relating to the immune system) and ology (relating to a subject of study or a branch of knowledge).

Psychoneuroimmunology is important because, as Dr. Bernie S. Siegel says, “Your life is stored in your body.” He emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s inner wisdom, and the wisdom of the outer world as well, through meditative methods.2 The reason? Because what we are thinking, what we are taking in from our outer world and how we are processing it, all has a constant impact on the health of our physical bodies and our mental health. Can’t you feel it in your body when you have an angry thought? How does it feel to you? How does it feel in comparison to a joyful thought? This is a simple example of how thoughts matter.

I remember a time after I had signed my record deal with Sony 550. Prince and I were discussing spiritual concepts and comparing notes on some of the books we had both read. We began to talk about the importance of choosing words carefully and the effect that certain words have on us. He and I had also similarly immersed ourselves in spiritual teachings.

-From The Root, A Memoir and A Philosophy for Balance in Our World, Pp 47 and 48

Can you be a personal detective and spy on your own thoughts? Can you see how your moods and habits are affected by your thoughts?

Can you see how your thoughts affect and shape your life?

And finally… what will you do with the answers to your questions? Are you motivated to propel your thoughts towards SOLUTIONS, rather than the problems in your life?

In my experience, every time I focus on the solutions and the goal, rather than getting bogged down in the problem, I create more joy and excellent results in my life. Give it a shot- try it out for a good amount of time. See how it works for you.

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Great, Healthy Food Nourishes the Human Spirit…

Chopping board with herbs, wooden spoon, and love background

I graduated from high school a few months before my senior year was over, and I began working at a health-food sandwich shop by day while pursuing my music career by night. My experiences at that shop helped establish the healthy eating habits that I have maintained to this day. Before that, while still in high school, I had a three or four-month stint of eating at fast-food restaurants.

It was the only period in my life of unhealthy eating. At the time, I was vaguely aware of the negative effects that kind of food had on my body. I would frequently order not just one fast-food meal, but owing to my unbounded energy, I would order two. They usually consisted of two big, double burgers, two large orders of fries, and two chocolate shakes. And I was still hungry even after scarfing down those two loads of garbage for my gut. Again, I did not have much of an understanding of why these foods were bad for me. But the details of what this food was actually doing to my body escaped me.

When I landed the job at the health-food sandwich shop, I had no idea what a grace from above that serendipitous moment held. It was the beginning of one of many paradigm shifts that I would go through in my life. I was immediately hooked on healthy eating and healthy concepts, especially after tasting the delicious food. The passionate store manager began to teach me about why this food was so much better for me than what I had been eating for the past four months. The store also sold books about healthy eating, and she would recommend various selections for me to read. As I gathered information, I found a new love and a penchant for learning about healthy eating. I also noticed a real difference in my energy levels and my health. This new way of eating took me to new heights! Through the work of Urban Farming, we have raised a lot of awareness about the importance of growing one’s own food, as well as the spectacular health benefits that fresh, high-quality food brings to our bodies, minds, and spirits. – From The Root, A Memoir and A Philosophy for Balance in Our World, pp 44.

 

How has healthy eating affected your life, your mood, and your creative ideas?

 

If you don’t believe that great food can nourish your body, mind, and soul, then I submit that you have likely not eaten at these four restaurants:

Peoples Organic: https://www.peoplesorganic.com/ Peoples Organic is growing across the country! They offer vegan and non-vegan repasts, all meat is nitrate-free, grass-fed, free-range, etc. I LOVE the Peoples Organic vegan “Beyond Burger” -it is absolutely amazing! Served on a 100% sprouted organic wheat bun, also served with sweet potato waffle fries or organic green salad. Yummy! You may also select the grass-fed burger at Peoples Organic. You can’t go wrong on this menu which also features breakfast served all day!

Mama Lombardi’s Restaurant:  (400 Furrows Rd, Holbrook, NY 11741- next to Brookhaven, NY.) http://www.mammalombardis.com/

Everything is homemade! I love the Minestrone Soup, the Sautéed Spinach with garlic and oil, and the Chicken Tantillo (I am 98% vegan, but this Chicken Tantillo was a part of my 2% non-vegan moment, and ahh…what a delicious moment…)

GreenSpace Café: https://greenspacecafe.com/ ( 32867 Woodward Ave
Royal Oak MI 48073)  This is another amazing vegan restaurant! Owned by noted Cardiologist, Dr. Kahn, and his family. The Cauliflower Wings are amazing! And, try the Black Bean Burger, or the Barbecue Bowl with Barbecued Tempeh, caramelized onions, cole slaw, roasted sweet potato, baby kale and avocado.

Urth Café: https://www.urthcaffe.com/  (10 locations in California and in Las Vegas)  The Urth Match Tea latte- sooo smooth and delicious. The Urth Farmer’s Salad is excellent, excellent, excellent! And don’t even get me started on their baked goods, because I can’t go there…just too good! (I’m rehearsing my new show and cutting way down on sweets…)