Bestseller Banner awarded to Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert

Drum roll, please!

I’m excited to announce the debut of the paperback version of The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert: Wisdom for Emotional Healing and Expressing Your Radiant Authentic Self.

It is my memoir and teaching stories to guide highly sensitive introverts on the journey to the Authentic Self.

The eBook version launched 10/16/2018. Amazon awarded it the Bestseller banner in 9 categories during the first week.

Amazon began posting the #1 New Release banner for the paperback version in 8 categories on 12/3/2018.

If you ever wanted to achieve a cherished goal, but you doubted you could do it, you’ll be inspired by my story.

Most of the time my book sells more copies than When Bad Things Happen to Good People, The Dalai Lama’s Book of Wisdom, and the Whole-Brain Child which was written by one of my teachers.

I thought that if my book received the Bestseller banner, tons of other books must, too. But that’s not the case. Brian Berni, who manages my Amazon ads, explained that it’s rare for a book to become a bestseller.

There are 4 million eBooks on Amazon.

My eBook ranked #3,305 during the first week.

That means that only 3,304 books sold more copies.

Brian says that he’s happy if a new book ranks 20,000. It’s excellent if a book ranks 6,000.

But it’s absolutely amazing for a book to rank 3,000-4,000. Especially for a first-time author who doesn’t use much social media or have a big platform.

How did this success happen?

For years I had hoped that I could write a bestseller, but it seemed like a pipe dream.

It took me two years to write this book. I didn’t feel confident while writing and publishing my book. I changed the title a thousand times. I fretted over learning the technology required to publish and advertise a book on Amazon. There were hundreds of things to study and memorize. But week after week I learned.

I didn’t study writing in school. I’m not an English major. I enrolled in an adult education course on writing once, but I quit the first time the teacher criticized my work. Highly Sensitive Introverts feel stung by criticism. I have dyslexia so I read slowly and I don’t like to read much. Most writers are readers. Not me.

I consulted the guidance of the Holy Spirit every step of the way:

• what topics to include in this book and which to save for another book
• what writing style to use, and how to edit it.
• which self-publishing school to choose. I found several schools that cost $20,000. I refused to spend that kind of money.
• which sub-contractors to hire for editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, copywriting the book description and ad management.
• I asked for prayer support. One of the women on the prayer team at my church crocheted a white loose-weave scarf with a tiny cross embedded in it. That scarf hung around my neck 24 hours each weekend while I wrote for 20 months.
• The Holy Spirit sent angels who lifted me up. I acknowledge them all in my book.

I did my best to follow instructions from the Self-Publishing School (SPS) founded by Chandler Bolt. He and his staff have the highest integrity. My book coach, Marcy Pusey, was perfect for me because she is a highly sensitive person, too. She deeply understood me and she was so warm-hearted that I was moved to tears. I had tons of questions and I didn’t hesitate to ask every one of them. The SPS online community is warm and friendly. They provided the support that I needed to keep putting one foot in front of the other, especially when I felt discouraged.

*** If you would like to join the Self-Publishing School so you can learn how to write and publish your book, shoot me an email. I’ll arrange for you to receive a sizable discount.

I knew I could write my book. But, I also knew that if I didn’t learn how to market it well, few people would find it. My goal was to reach masses of people to help improve the quality of life on the planet.

The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert eBook sold 849 copies in the first month. Some books don’t sell that much in their lifetime. I hope that the release of the paperback will catapult sales.

I had no idea that my book would become a bestseller. None.

But now, my confidence is growing. I can look back and understand what I did to create a bestseller even though I was a first-time author, a babe in the woods.

I hope you feel encouraged by my story. If I did it, you can do it. My book coach told me that 80% of people want to write a book, but only 2% actually do.

Always remember this:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” ―Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Here’s to your success in achieving your most cherished dreams.

Hop on over to Amazon, and buy your copy of The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert.  Buy a copy for your sensitive friends and for the family members that you want to understand you.

I’d appreciate it if you would write an Amazon review because great reviews boost the rank of the book. Then more sensitive introverts will find the help they need.

Please share this notice on your social media sites.

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UPDATE April 8, 2022

To date, 8400 copies of my book have been sold across all formats: Kindle, paperback and the audiobook, which I narrated.

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Author: Benita A. Esposito, MA, is a life coach and spiritual counselor. Contact her for a complimentary 10-minute get-acquainted phone chat to schedule a coaching session to catapult your success as a sensitive introvert.

Click here to visit the Book Page for The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert.

The Healing Power of Presence ~ Bonus

Book Bonus for The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert

In one of my darker moments
I turn to you for help, Doctor #1.
I confide in you,
“I’d rather not be here on this planet.”
You say, “Maybe you made the wrong choice.”
I sullenly agree, “Maybe I did.”
You use your newest procedures.
“Maybe this one will work this time,”
I think to myself sarcastically.
I know you are sincere and you want to help.
But I don’t feel you connecting with me,
and I leave just as blasé as I entered.
I’ve been down this road so many times.

I turn to you, Doctor #2.
I confide in you,
“I’d rather not be here on this planet.”
You ask me to tell you more.
“Since the last time I saw you,
I’ve had more physical pain and more emotional pain.”
You test me and tell me that there is
a ton of emotional pain in my shoulder
and that it’s not going to get well if it’s treated just on a physical level.

You look deep into my soul through the window of my eyes,
and your eyes begin to tear as your voice cracks,
and you tell me about the emotional pain I’ve stored in my body since age seven.
You feel with me as tears stream down your face and mine.
You hold my hands in your hands,
and I hold yours in return.
You speak to me in a gentle, knowing, wise way as you focus on my dark interior.
You speak to me of your similar pain, and how you have done your own work
to meet your wounded child and to bring your wise adult self
into relationship with your inner children of many ages.

Again you speak to me of the pain of my 7-year-old who felt so lost and unloved by Mom.
She was so disconnected and afraid.
Despair is what you called it.

I told you about how many times I have visited this grief,
and how many times I have healed this very issue,
and how I am visiting it at yet another layer of insight and awareness.
You agree.

We entered the pain together, at depth, and with love.
You cried as we entered, feeling my pain in your body.

I trusted you.
You made it safer for me to feel my pain.

You opened a door.

You held me while

I sobbed

and cried

and breathed.

And then I was done crying.

And then I had no physical pain.

And then I knew I was truly loved.

And that helped me love myself more deeply.

In my body.
In my heart.
In my soul.

Grief is so hard sometimes.
So relentless.
Sometimes seeming to have no end.

Letting go is one step.
Another step is experiencing the bond between my own inner mother
and my inner child so my child’s needs are met.
This is an on-going process I started a long time ago.
Sometimes my inner child is very needy and she hurts very much,
Even after all these years of work.

And now I go deeper into the healing.
Deeper into the relationship with my inner mother and my inner child.

Dear doctor, your nurturing energy helped me heal in this half hour.
You have the ability to be so totally present with me
because you have done so much of your own healing work.
You have visited your own pain
and made friends with your own process of grieving.
You don’t have to run from me in my grief and sorrow and
treat me with techniques which further distance me from my pain.

I am so grateful for you because you connected with me so completely this day.

If you ever doubt yourself, like I sometimes do,
always remember that you made a big difference in my life today.

Many blessings to you,

My dear, doctor.

Benita A. Esposito

 

Benita-A.-Esposito,-MA,-Licensed-Professional-CounselorAuthor: Benita A. Esposito is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia. She also provides services worldwide as a life coach and a spiritual counselor. In-person and videoconferences are available. Benita earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Illinois State University in 1976. She sees adult individuals and couples in private sessions and in intensive retreats. She loves retreats the best because so much transformation occurs in such a short time.

 

Complete the Contact Page to request a complimentary 10-minute phone session to discuss life coaching or counseling.

To read more poems and blog posts to help Sensitive Introverts thrive, visit www.SensitiveIntrovert.com.

Copyright 2018. Flourishing Love Press, LLC. All rights reserved.

Audio Interview The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert

 

Book Bonus for The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert

An audio interview with the author, Benita A. Esposito, and Dr. Cynthia J. Libert, an integrative physician.

A fun friendly discussion about several topics in the book.

Click here to listen to the Audio Interview.

If you would like to receive “My Top 10 Tips for Sensitive Introverts” and monthly inspirational articles about the Hero’s Journey to the Authentic Self to help you thrive, not just survive … click here.

Are you a Highly Sensitive Introvert? take the quiz.

Author: Benita A. Esposito is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia, and she also provides her services worldwide as a life coach and an ordained spiritual counselor via videoconferences. She earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Illinois State University in 1976. She sees adults—individuals and couple—in private sessions and in intensive retreats. Being a results-oriented person, she loves retreats the best because so much transformation occurs in such a short time.

Complete the contact form to request a complimentary 10-minute get-acquainted phone chat to see if her services are a good fit for you.

Copyright 2018. Flourishing Love Press, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

Money Savers Exercise Book Bonus

Book Bonus for The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert

Download the PDF

Do your spending habits make your dreams come true?

Your Name ___________________________________ Date ______________

When we want something, sometimes we don’t believe that we have the money for it. We may be surprised to discover that we actually do have the money.

When we spend money unconsciously, we don’t receive lasting value from our purchases. We could be directing “wasted” money towards manifesting our dreams.

Read the example below, and then list your expenses in the blank form below the example. Play with the numbers and decide how much money you want to save to make your dreams come true. Decide if you want to change your spending habits.

Do you have records of your spending so you can accurately fill in the blanks? If so, great. If you have not been recording your expenses, you can use estimates. Note: There may be a large gap between your estimates and actual expenditures. That’s why it is important to keep accurate records. Carry a small notebook and begin recording everything including cash for one month. It’s best to keep yearly records so you have an accurate average of monthly expenses. You can use an excel spreadsheet or a software program.

You’ll feel more secure and confident when you make decisions aligned with your core values.

Example

Discretionary Spending Items Current Monthly

Expense

Changes I want to make New Monthly Expense
Lunch 5 times a week x $6.00 = $30 per week x 4.3 weeks a month $129 Eat out 1x week + bring lunch      $40
Two alcoholic drinks/week @ $7.00 ea.=$14 x 4.3 weeks per month 60 Delete drinks out 0
Latte or snack equivalent: $3.50 @ 5x per week x 4.3 weeks 75 Bring snacks to work 20
Two dinners out per week @ $20 each = $40 x 4.3 weeks per month 172 Dinner out 2 times/month 40
Entertainment: 2 movies per month @ $15.00 each. Concerts. Plays. 30 1 movie per month 15
Clothes, handbags or other items that you really don’t need 75 Reduce shopping 40
Manicure, pedicure 40 Paint your own nails 0
Entertainment: Internet movies, cable, satellite TV, Sirius Radio 110 Entertainment 30
Cell phone options that are not needed (video games, etc.) 10 Reduce cell phone options 5
Misc.: Personal items, cosmetics, candles, household items 40 Personal & household items 20
Gifts: birthdays and special occasions (The average American spends $639 in December for the holidays.) 85 Reduce gift spending by making special gifts 55
Bank charges. Non-sufficient funds charges. Credit card charges. 20 Pay bills on time. 0
Habits & hobbies: cigarettes, dating, flowers, travel, girls’ night out 154 Habits and hobbies 100
Total expenses $1,000 $365
Total savings xxx Save $635

 

Now it’s your turn. Complete the form below.

Discretionary Spending Items Current Monthly

Expense

Changes I want to make New Monthly Expense
Lunch out
Alcoholic drinks
Latte or snacks
Dinners out
Entertainment: Internet movies, concerts, plays
Clothes, handbags or other items that you really don’t need
Manicure, pedicure
Entertainment: Internet movies, Cable, satellite TV, Sirius Radio
Cell phone options that are not needed (video games, etc.)
Misc.: Personal items, Cosmetics, candles, household items
Gifts: birthdays, holidays, special occasions (The average American spends $639 in December for the holidays)
Bank charges. Non-sufficient funds charges. Credit card charges.
Habits & hobbies: cigarettes, dating, flowers, travel, girls night out
   
 
Total Expenses $ $
Total Savings xxx Save $

What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same things expecting to get different results.

I work hard to prepare interesting and valuable information to support you to create a flourishing life, and I hope you find it to be helpful. Please respect my intellectual property and do not share these copyrighted materials with other people.

If you would like to receive “My Top 10 Tips for Sensitive Introverts” and monthly inspirational articles about the Hero’s Journey to the Authentic Self to help you thrive, not just survive … click here.

Are you a Highly Sensitive Introvert? take the quiz.

Author: Benita A. Esposito is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia, and she also provides her services worldwide as a life coach and an ordained spiritual counselor via videoconferences. She earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Illinois State University in 1976. She sees adults—individuals and couple—in private sessions and in intensive retreats. Being a results-oriented person, she loves retreats the best because so much transformation occurs in such a short time.

Complete the contact form to request a complimentary 10-minute get-acquainted phone chat to see if her services are a good fit for you.

Copyright 2018. Flourishing Love Press, LLC. All rights reserved.

A Roadmap: 21 Steps on the Hero’s Journey

Book Bonus for The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert

 

A quick witty overview of the Hero’s Journey to the Authentic Self

1. You get a body. You might remember where you came from, but you will probably soon forget.

2. Your caregivers and society do their best to persuade you to become socially acceptable.

3. You get wounded when your emotional or physical needs aren’t met. This place ain’t like Heaven anymore.

4. A part of you leaves because it’s too painful to stay fully present. You’re only half here. You survive the best way you can. You form an Adapted Self.

5. You try your best to make your way in the world, attempting to get your needs met.

6. But since you’re only half here, even if you do get your needs met, it’s not satisfying for long.

7. You seek pleasure and avoid pain. Sex, drugs, rock ‘n roll, booze, bracelets, food. As long as you work hard and stay busy, you can avoid the hidden pain inside.

8. Some part of you is in touch with your Spirit where you feel whole, but another part of you doesn’t feel whole at all. There’s a hole in your soul.

9. You question: Who am I? Where am I? Why am I here? Why would I want to be here? Am I here? How do I know? Who am I really?

10. You find a teacher, a counselor, a life coach, a guide, a book or a seminar. Your teacher has blazed a trail through the forest before you.

11. You see guideposts on the Hero’s Journey to the Authentic Self.

12. You wish you could see the whole picture, but you can’t. All you can see is the signpost right in front of you.

13. You wonder which way to go.

14. You pick a sign and take that leg of the journey.

15. Then you come to another signpost and take that one.

16. Your teacher helps you discern if you are on the right path, or if you are simply wandering around in circles in the woods.

17. You develop the courage to face your fears and feel your emotions. You learn to stay present with yourself no matter what, even if you cry in a public place.

18. Unconditional love begins to replace self-judgment.

19. As you heal, you forgive those who hurt you or let you down.

20. You forgive yourself for living in the illusion that you were not whole in the first place.

21. You excavate your Authentic Self. Your spirit develops a sweet relationship with the Holy Spirit. You feel whole. You love yourself, flaws and all.

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This book is a road map of my Hero’s Journey to the Authentic Self. My examples will help you see how far you’ve come … how far you have yet to go … and how to get from here to there.

 

If you would like to receive “My Top 10 Tips for Sensitive Introverts” and monthly inspirational articles about the Hero’s Journey to the Authentic Self to help you thrive, not just survive … click here.

Are you a Highly Sensitive Introvert? take the quiz.

Author: Benita A. Esposito is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia, and she also provides her services worldwide as a life coach and an ordained spiritual counselor via videoconferences. She earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Illinois State University in 1976. She sees adults—individuals and couple—in private sessions and in intensive retreats. Being a results-oriented person, she loves retreats the best because so much transformation occurs in such a short time.

Complete the contact form to request a complimentary 10-minute get-acquainted phone chat to see if her services are a good fit for you.

Copyright 2018. Flourishing Love Press, LLC. All rights reserved.

Highly Sensitive Introverts’ Strengths and Struggles

This is chapter 3 from the book by Benita A. Esposito, MA:

The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert:

Wisdom for Emotional Healing and

Expressing Your Radiant Authentic Self Read more

Healing Grief: Breathwork Opens the Heart and Mends Relationships

This story was written by one of my clients and posted with permission.

My mother died when I was two, and then an abusive stepmother raised me.

I have worked with Benita Esposito for 10 months. I’m so grateful that I accepted her invitation to attend a Deep Emotional Healing Retreat that included breathwork. I was apprehensive. It seemed a little unnerving to not have control over the outcome, or know what would come up during breathwork, but I enrolled anyway because I trusted Benita. Read more

Book Introduction. The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert

Wisdom for Emotional Healing and
Expressing Your Radiant Authentic Self

.

“The hardest battle you are ever going to have to fight is the battle to be just you.”
–Leo F. Buscaglia

This book will appeal to all highly sensitive people, but if you are a smart sensitive introvert who has struggled with anxiety, depression, trauma or relationships, you’ll especially relate to my memoir and teaching stories about the Hero’s Journey to the Authentic Self. Read more

How I Discovered I Am an Intuitive Empath

This is chapter 5 in my book, The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert: Wisdom for Emotional Healing and Expressing Your Radiant Authentic Self.

Search for my ebook and paperback book on Amazon and click the “Look Inside” button to read the first several pages of the book. You can buy it on Amazon.

“The trademark of an empath is feeling and absorbing other people’s emotions and/or physical symptoms because of their high sensitivities. These people filter the world through their intuition. Empaths are big-hearted people and try to relieve the pain of others … suddenly they’re the one feeling drained or upset when they felt fine before.” ~ Dr. Judith Orloff is a New York Times bestselling author and a member of the UCLA psychiatric clinical faculty. Read more