"Before I Get Old and Wrinkly" by Sheila Steptoe
Before I Get Old and Wrinkly opens with the compelling and powerful story of a portrayal of one ordinary woman's life and how she learnt to find peace within herself amongst the incredible turbulence of a succession of traumas and heartbreak. Written with passion, honesty and love, this book will inspire and is a wake up call for everyone.
Written in an easy relaxed style, this book will help anyone who is on the brink of questioning the quality of their own lives, Sheila Steptoe highlights key issues that facilitate this questioning process.
Despite the distress of a life-threatening illness, bereavements and an excruciating family separation, the ultimate message in this book is a deeply positive one about learning to forgive, patience and, above all, spiritual and mental awakening. Cruicially, Sheila reveals her 'happy ending' to the reader and demonstrates that there really is light at the end of the tunnel for every single one of us.
Sheila gently narrates her own powerful, beautiful and un-expected spiritual awakening through some amazing experiences which she shares with the reader. These have made her feel truly alive and peaceful because she realised that she is not alone, and will help anyone to understand more about the beauty this can bring to your own life
She also conveys the importance for us all to ensure that we truly understand the significance of getting to know our family and friends properly as people instead of merely taking their presence for granted. The result, as the book describes, leads to a deeper understanding of ourselves as well as an appreciation of how crucial family and friends are to us - something that is so easily overlooked, and then regretted when it becomes too late.
The practical approach of the second half of the book, divided into 14 different personal growth sections, opens the door for the reader to apply such essential questions to their own life situation and benefit from the valuable insights contained within these pages.

