What are you afraid of? Have you asked yourself this question? What is holding
you back from living the life you dreamed of? I know for me it was fear, anxiety, and depression. Did you know that 750,000 people every year try to commit suicide. Almost 30,000 of those succeed. That is horrifying to me. Depression has been linked to bullying in many situations. School bullying, work place bullying, healthcare
bullying of our elderly, and on and on. 7 out of 10 kids are bullied at some point in their lives. Over 60,000 kids miss school every single day in this country because of fear. What are they afraid of? being bullied. It is a huge huge problem. This year my life is very different. I am making some changes. I am on a crusade.
Yes I still make music and I still perform concerts, but, I am and was one of those statistics above. I released my new book last year about my experiences in my own life. It was a very hard book to write and a very personal book to write. I felt it needed to be written for the sake of others. I wrote the book out of desperation for what is happening to so many of us. Life is hard. I had no idea what to expect or if anyone would even like my book. I was so scared to even let anyone re
ad it. I figured not printing my book would be going against everything I wrote the book for. Well lately the momentum has been picking up on this book and I am so surprised that it is helping as many people as it is. I get e-mails, comments, and even personal letters mailed to me almost every day about this book and how it is helping others. So my goal is to get my book into the hands of as many folks who deal with Fear, depression, and anxiety as possible. I want to get my book into the hands of at least one student in every high school and middle school in the United States. That is over 100,000 copies. I will need help with this huge task. I know it will save lives though. If you can help me get this book out to these kids then please do so.
Please read the reviews below and the link on where you can get this book now. This is the year of Why Not Today?. I hope you will get on the Why Not Today? band wagon with me. This is the year for all of us to Face our Fears and Chase our Dreams! Why Not Today?
The book is currently on sale for a great price at amazon. If you get a few copies the shipping is free. It is available on the kindle and through the kindle app on all devices digitally. I am currently looking at making it into an audio book and an apple I books as well. Here is the link.
Why Not Today? Face Your Fears and Chase Your Dreams! By Eric Dodge
“Eric Dodge, has written a very inspirational book on how to “face your fears and chase your dreams.” It’s titled, “Why Not Today?”
I bought a copy on Amazon…and loved the book! I think you will, too — especially if you’re dealing with challenges in your personal or professional life”:
Scott McKain, Best-selling author and speaker
“This book is true inspiration for anyone who dreams big dreams but sometimes lacks the courage to follow through.”
-Brad Barton, CSP, Author, Speaker, World Record T&F Athlete
“Eric has found a way to take his life experiences and teach us all a lesson on how to never give up. Wait until you feel the passion he has for showing others how to face fears and chase dreams.”
-Laurie Guest, CSP, Author, Speaker
“Since I have known Eric Dodge he has impressed me with his ability to turn his fears into his passion for helping others. This book is just another example of that.”
-Marla Cilley, Best-Selling Author and internationally renowned mentor.
‘Why Not Today?’ Eric Dodge gets it right
By Rich Rogers
Book Review: “Why Not Today?” by Eric Dodge
If you’ve been reading this column for many years, you may have noticed that I rarely review self-published books. The reasons are simple. Most writers who self-publish don’t spend the money to get a good editor. And if they do spend the money, it seems they don’t listen to what the editor has to say. In the almost 20 years I’ve been writing reviews, I’ve only read two self-published titles that were worth my time. It got so bad that I made it a personal policy to flat-out refuse to read anything self-published. It wasn’t worth my time. (Ralph Rohr, a sometime contributor to the Independent, asked me to review a self-published book of his on the New Testament Book of Revelation, but time constraints at the time wouldn’t allow me to do so.) The stories I could tell.
Back in July, I noticed something from Eric Dodge, a country singer based in St. George, Utah. I really don’t know why I wanted to read his book, but I decided to ask him for a review copy, which I picked up while I was visiting the States in August. I’m glad I did.
The book is part memoir, part self-help book, and part motivational book, and Dodge gets it right.
“Why Not Today” is one of the two self-published books that have been worth the time to read. Why? First, Eric Dodge didn’t try to write the Great American Novel, or Great American Confessional, and get in over his head. He wanted to share his story, which he truly believes can help people change their lives. And secondly, he obviously spent the money for a good editor – and more importantly, he obviously listened. None of the typical mistakes of a self-published writer are found here.
So what is his story?
His story is one that goes from being a super-confident 4-year-old – daring enough to run in front of a car with a sheet tied around his neck in his Superman underwear, holding out his hand to stop an oncoming car – to deep suicidal depression, to becoming a country singer who’s shared the stage with performers such as Travis Tritt, Carrie Underwood, Chris LeDoux, and Collin Raye, to name a few, as well as becoming a motivational speaker and singer (he mixes his music in with his speeches) and a member of the National Speakers Association.
And he is a real country singer with a rich baritone voice. I’ve got to hunt down some of his albums. Check out “The Last Real Cowboy.”
With his simple, winning approach, he shares what it was like to go out and try and stop a car in his Superman undies and then lose a beloved grandfather. One of the most powerful sections was the section about bullying. I think we’ve all encountered bullying to a certain degree. But his story is horrific, and I don’t use that term lightly. In fact, one of the things he speaks about around the country is bullying.
And in the chapter on dating, I found myself saying “Amen, Brother!” often throughout. In my single days, people often asked about my marital status, and I would tell them my love life was so insane that if I were to tell them half of it their response would be, “That doesn’t happen in a badly written Mexican soap opera, let alone real life.”
The writing and voice are smooth, never trying to overwhelm but giving you a simple story with lessons from life buried in there. I will say I would have liked him to go into a little more detail about his depression. For those who struggle with it, they want to see just how dark it was for another person so they can connect better. But that’s a small quibble.
I felt refreshed as I read this book, and I realize that Dodge is someone I want to really get to know, not just through books and his music. I know, I’ll have to take a number.
I’m curious to see what he’ll do next. Dodge is definitely someone to watch.