Unity Church of Tucson » Bookstore Highlights

Bookstories

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:27:34 +0000

by Sammie Alijagic

I’ve never lost a house key before. But I managed
to do it yesterday. No histrionics, no backtracking to see if
the old key can be found. Just move forward, get a new lock
set, use the new key.
Ooh. Aren’t metaphors fun? House key: Opens into
my home – where I dwell. Locks-up when I leave so others
don’t have access to the things inside. Old key disappears:
can’t get into home the same way, must CHANGE the set.
Will have a new key.
Change, most of it conscious, has been the keyword of
my life in the last few years. More than ever it was apparent
that as I kept on walking things dropped away like leaves on
a tree at autumn. I ended my career as an arts organizer and that
birthed a lot of self-doubt. How to unlock my hidden treasures?
The key to a new lifestyle was a structured, rigorous analysis
of strengths of character, skills, aptitude, and resources. So, I
returned to college, completed a marriage, attracted this
magnifi cent job, moved into a new home, tended the family,
buried a father. In a way, starting from scratch.
Now I’ve got a new key, and open my home and look in.
Frightful! The inner space is topsy-turvy. Yes, there are the
usual, familiar useful and necessary items: sheets, dishes,
books, art supplies, kids toys, now in very inappropriate
locations. Things tumble out of the closets, they won’t stay
where they were put! Is it the past haunting me? No, because
I see the yummy this walking is manifesting – see? There
is a gleaming new computer and software now residing in
the offi ce. BUT since the chaos of the grandkids swirl about
it, the future looks scrambled. Yuk, I can’t concentrate, so I
turn around, lock MY door, go to my mom’s use HER key
to let myself in to HER dwelling, and keep her company. If I
ignore my own stuff, perhaps it will right itself.
Well, like dream analysis, this metaphor has no ending
point. But this article does. When you are next in the bookstore,
you will see a manifestation of a lot of hard, dedicated
work from our inventory party. Through a rigorous analysis
of strengths of character, usability, ambience, and resources,
we’ll have made your browsing and buying experience far
more enchanting. Unity’s Bookstore for Spiritual Living.
The money brought in from sales of books and gifts goes
directly into the operational fund of Unity of Tucson. Being
a not-for-profi t agency means you pay no sales tax. Drop in
and pick up your free inspiration card. Breathe in the peace.
Come enjoy your inner life. We’ve all got a key and will
open the door for you.

FALL spiritual renewal

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:59:53 +0000

The bookstore tells us that this year’s “Fall Renewal Series” will be Deepak Chopra’s book The Third Jesus. Sunday Lessons will be based upon it and small discussion groups will be formed within Unity of Tucson’s congregation. It will be studied not only here but worldwide as a webinar, and also with Unity International during the same time period. The bookstore has advanced copies of the book available now. A workbook will be published; we’ll inform you when it arrives. The series begins October 1st, although our first Sunday lesson might begin September 28th.

BookStories by Sammie Alijagic

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:58:13 +0000

1 idea~1 heart~1 mind~1 plan
1 determination~The Power of One
Deadline day for Expanding Horizons. We call it “deadline” in the publishing world so we know when to begin. Start too early, one gets overwhelmed by themes to choose from. The theory goes that last minute creates a laser beam focus. Uh…. except for today. I have no idea. Criminey.
My mother looks over my shoulder and tells me to cut the whining. “I’ll tell you what to write about, just zip it, listen and do it. Write about the bookstore as it is right now. They want to know what it’s like, what the store carries, and a bit about how business is going. After all, it’s their store.”
I listen to my mom, because I’ve recently gotten it. Mom is always right.
Mom had very dramatic emergency heart surgery some months ago. She, Dad and I have spent a LOT of time together since. The event and its recovery process gave me a whack upside the head. In a matter of hours I went from cynical senior citizen teenager to, viola, a poised and stately grown-up. A kind, smart, no-nonsense, with-lots-of-common-sense strong and tough woman, she has been, I see upon reflection, sooooo right, FOR MY WHOLE LIFE, that I better to do what she says. So I will. Just like a big girl.
She’s very interested in Unity’s Bookstore, not only because I work there, but also because I like working there, and she likes happy stories. She enjoys visiting the bookstore and likes the environment. Here are things my mom, Anne, would like you to know. Your patronage makes The Unity Bookstore do well for the church. Foot traffic has picked up on Sundays and weekdays, too. The money you spend there goes to the general fund, and benefits the operation of Unity of Tucson as a whole. You can pay for your purchases with cash, check, debit or credit (MC, Visa, Discover, American Express). As Unity of Tucson is a not-for-profit agency there is no sales tax on your tab.
Once again, the bookstore is organized by Category. On Sundays most people want to just wind down for 5 or 15 minutes, grab a book and go. Now you can go right to your point of interest. Turquoise or purple signage in large font sizes will call to you.

Some large store fixtures have been removed. The shop is roomy enough to do a twirl if you desire. The kids area has moved to the front of the shop, book jackets all face forward; it’s a bright and colorful area. You can sit on the floor with your kids and look through books together.

The Unity Publications, its books, booklets and poetry cards are still on the main wall, clearly marked. Featured authors have an area of their own. We have a growing section of books in Spanish by popular, contemporary authors like Louise Hay, Don Miguel Ruiz, Abraham-Hicks. You’ll find CDs, and DVDs on a larger wall that is well lit. New titles are added monthly for both adults and children.

We are your Abraham headquarters, featuring most-all of their wisdom teachings: workshops, books, CDs and DVDs, calendar, card decks.

Gift items (”sidelines” in the biz) may seem scant, but they are delightful and fulfilling. Card decks of inspirational phrases from popular authors, whimsical dangling fairies called “Laini’s Ladies.” tiny angels, focus stones and river rocks are scattered about. 2009 Calendars will be in soon. We encourage you to peek in and pick up little things for the grandkids, the friend you’re going to lunch with and, of course, your home! We carry greeting cards, 75 cents and up.

There’s a clearance section, and a shelf with free items, like Unity bumper stickers and magnets, too.

My mom also wants you to hear my point of view about my job as Unity Bookstore Steward. It’s not “a good job,” it’s a dream job. A beautiful location, kind people to guide me, new friends, it’s a wonderful environment to tend and sculpt. I get to design signs and posters and tags and labels to decorate and promote the store, too. As a visual artist, that is icing on the cake.

I’m at Unity Bookstore part-time and go to Pima College part-time. My degree will be in the Digital Arts, with a

Multi-media specialty (Mom calls it computerized commercial art).

The flexibility of the work schedule makes the student lifestyle possible. So much to appreciate!

My parents don’t want to fret about me. “Our daughter is in the silver-haired years of life,” as they call the senior experience. “It means so much to me and her father that she can both work in [this most glorious atmospheres] and go to college to modernize her technology skills.”

But, she says, I better get over this day-dreamy side and get my homework done “ahead of time” for both Expanding Horizons and School…or she will spank me. Dad’s the quiet type, and says, “Listen to your mother.” Okay, I’ll do it, alright? Oh, wait! The Olympics is back on and they’re gonna show Phelps winning another gold medal… Ow! Mom! Get that willow switch away from me! Ow!

Bookstories Points of View

admin — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:32:20 +0000

by Sammie Alijagic

At the Unity Metaphysical Bookstore (UMB), we carry about 3000 points-of-view in the form of written material, audio, and visual information. Even gift items carry points of view. All these points have a distinct flavor, a focus if you will. They are messages of optimism, empowerment, wisdom. They are aimed to encourage, and inspire you, our visitors. All these materials, including our gift-style items, underscore the Unity principles of worth, love and joyful living despite outward (and even inward) appearances. The bookstore is a ministry of love and support. It is a casual, sacred, peaceful environment. We intended that. People searching for this style of points of view will find an inspiration for the soul here. We feel sure of it.

We are staffed by volunteers, called “Bookstore Angels.” When there is no Angel on board that day, you will find Mary coming out of the Church office to assist you. And Sammie, the UMB main steward, is there part-time. We are always interested in listening to you, and helping you choose materials of a point of view you might like to hold, to try on. It is our business to supply you with more wondrous material you can add to your vibrational signature. You will find books from the masters of yore: The Fillmores (co-founders of Unity), Butterworth, Cady, James Dillet Freeman. Old friends like Florence Scovel Shinn (whose work we also carry on audio CD), Emmet Fox, Dan Millman and Richard Bach appear in both the lending library and showroom floor. And we keep you on top of the current, “hot-selling” points of view: New masters like Tolle, Northrup, Chopra, Williamson, Zukov, Dyer, MacLaine and Beckwith.

Points of view are important in today’s spiritually emerging, blossoming environment. Keeping our emotions focused on the positive, joyful spaces is important to sound health of body, mind and spirit. We encourage you to submit YOUR points of view for future publishing in the form of cards, posters, or small pamphlets. On our free time, a few of our secret angels are compiling and designing for this very purpose! (More about this later!) Please email your submissions, quotes, small reviews and recommendations. In other words… What is Your Point-of-View??? bookstore@unitytucson.com.

And by the way, there is always room for one more. One more Bookstore Angel that is. Not only could we use YOUR Point-of-View in UMB (Unity Metaphysical Bookstore) to lead and encourage the visitors in our environment, but there is a lot of behind the scenes things, too. There is data entry, organizing of stock and display materials, mailing and shipping. But, always, there is you…your soul’s unfoldment is our business. And it is a REAL GIFT to be of service to you in this delightful Ministry of Books, in a metaphysical environment, at one of the most beautiful locations in the desert Southwest, Unity of Tucson.

Also…Unity of Tucson is a beautiful environment to hold a wedding ceremony. The gazebo or ramada is perfect for small weddings. The views are spectacular, the atmosphere warm and friendly. Our Sanctuary holds approximately 200 guests for larger formal weddings. Come into the Bookstore, ask for our Wedding Brochure or visit our web page, unitytucson.com, for more information. Sammie Alijagic, our Wedding Coordinator, is available by appointment, 577.3300.