A Leap of Faith

Learn HOW to think differently in order to change yourselves and the world around us. This is a book of letters written by a father to his sons, and to us, so we can find within our lives the power to create meaning, purpose and joy. Within these letters lie secrets for understanding the universe we live in and how, no matter where or what our circumstances, we can be powerful beings capable of making our dreams change from being illusion into becoming real. It is a book for people throughout the world who have tried so hard, yet have lost hope, where each day seems just like the day before. It is a book especially suited to women and young people who have been locked out from their dreams. It is a book geared to empower people, freeing us to create unbelievable things by using what we have with no need or handouts. It is book which will change how we think so we can respond and create a new present and thus a new future. This is a book about change within ourselves in order to change our world.

David studied in Washington D.C. while working in the press liaison section of the U.S. Senate. Here he began his true education about politics, world affairs, and leadership while learning from the best political minds. He reluctantly went into teaching but found great fulfillment in helping young minds. He was chosen as Nebraska’s Teacher of the Year and was one of four U.S. national finalists. Even with these honors, he sensed there was something more he should be doing and gravitated into politics where he was a Senator. David eventually formed his own business, combining his strengths as a teacher and his knowledge of developing new authentic leaders. Later, he created an empowerment and self-leadership program for women and youth in Kenya where he continues to live with his wife Ruth. He is now CEO of Effective Change Consultants and continues to speak and teach ethical leadership and HOW to think differently throughout the world.

Real, raw and deeply inspiring! David’s honest and vulnerable ‘letters’ are a brilliant doorway in to understanding our own humanity and the calling to our deeper sense of our own spirituality. He is a living example of ‘faith made real.’ Thank you David for sharing your life wisdom.

The most enduring legacy we can leave may be those vulnerable moments when we struggle for the truth and ask questions with uncertain answers. This is what David Bernard-Stevens has gifted his sons with these letters. May you be inspired to create your own legacy of courage.

It is an understatement to say that knowing David Bernard-Stevens and being asked to write a testimonial is a privilege. Knowing David transformed my life, and it fills me with joy to be able to recommend his writing to others. Through a happy set of “misfortunate” circumstances, I had the opportunity to participate in one of his early leadership workshops. I was going through a low period myself during that time – in fact, in one of the “lifeboat” exercises, I actually argued to be left to perish as everyone else in the group had more to offer humanity than I did. It wasn’t an easy process, and it didn’t end with the conclusion of the workshop, but I came to identify my true self and experience the beginnings of understanding the universe – the nature of the material world, the interconnectedness of everything, and most importantly, the “butterfly” effect.

Though he is half a world away, David has continued to play a role in my life through his writings and Internet presence. His conversational writing style breaks down even the most complex concepts (Quantum Physics, anyone?) into easily understandable and applicable philosophies that truly make a difference. I encourage everyone to take “A Leap of Faith” and begin your own journey to self-revelation with David Bernard-Stevens.

A Leap of Faith (who we are, where we are going and how to get there) is a phenomenal book. It will give hope to all of us in our disappointments and uncertainties that the world is still a good place to live, even with all its highs and lows especially within the hard moments of transformation. This book with its epistolary form directly appeals and invites us all to embark on an inward journey of self-discovery as humans and thereby unravel the world of others as well. It deserves to be a wonderful book for people to invest in since it would not only help people think differently but also create new possibilities and purpose – giving a new meaning to lives in the course of despair and depression, when they see no ray of light and darkness haunts and surrounds them. It would also teach and give all of us a magnificent inspiration to come out of our comfort zones in order to choose and discover a purposeful life.

Many of us feel stuck, powerless to pull ourselves out of the ‘prisons’ we are living in. In this engaging book, A Leap of Faith, David Bernard-Stevens shows us how to think differently, discover who we are created to be, and make our dreams a reality. It is a journey everyone can take if we so choose.

‘Faith to believe in something you do not see – and the fruit of faith to see in that which you believe.’ David’s life is a testimony to that many times over. I have known him for the past 10 years and have also had the privilege of working with him closely. I can say he has leaped… and fallen and got up again with his ability to laugh at himself and the circumstances.

We are living in a world that is fragmented. Connections within families and ourselves are fractured and so too within society and will continue to remain that way. Our society has forgotten how to connect with each other and humanity and therefore continues to bleed.

This letter from David to his two sons is a ray of sunshine on the “How” of this puzzle. And in that it uplifts the otherwise default future.

A deeper experience of joy, as David puts it, is how his letter left me feeling. It’s the kind of joy one feels amidst nature - truth - innocence and the sheer beauty of unapologetic authenticity.

In our gender biased society, where men are condemned to “be men”- which is society speak for be strong, don’t be vulnerable, don’t show your feelings, be smart enough to circumvent your failures and lows, and of course don’t tell all this to your grown-up sons.

And yet that is exactly what David has done. Spoken from such an honest place in his heart which is both audacious and deeply heart warming at the same time. I can only imagine the courage it must have taken him to rummage through memories and not be selective about them, and just pen it as it was, honest and with his characteristic humor.

I am sure his sons will not just see him and the possibilities for themselves. In a world where putting on a mask has become an acceptable norm, for someone to write about his own authentic journey toward purpose and peace is like a fresh cool breeze that brings hope. I wish more people and especially fathers would take a page or two from David’s book and reconnect, to themselves – their families and the futures of their spirit. This is the kind of book that one keeps going back to again
and again. It’s a journey in itself.

There is hope. Thank you David… you have taken on Goliath.

This book is an easy read. It makes one take time to reflect on their own life authenticity. It is a reminder of the importance of listening to our inner voice which always knows what our soul is longing for. The book demonstrates how things in one life could seem like they are falling apart only to direct us to our true calling/ purpose because if we continue with what does not work for our soul we will never experience the peace we experience by following our passion.

Leadership understood from its very beginning. A journey of leadership through self-mastery and a life in rural Kenya after serving a nine year term as a Nebraska state senator. A captivating read of a lifelong journey in leadership shared through letters to two grown sons living thousands of miles away from their father.