Sil Lai Abrams, a young woman of questionable heritage, grew up not really knowing who she was. She always had a feelilng she didn't quite fit into her family. Her hair was curly, her skin was darker and she just looked a bit different. It wasn't until she was almost a teen, she found out the truth. As a result, she started early into alcoholism, running away and other means of acting out her frustration. She has written a book, NO MORE DRAMA, which explains her early behavior, how long it went on, and what she did to control it later in life. She divides people into two categories: survivors and contenders. Survivors are merely trying to get through life; contenders are enjoying life without all the day to day drama and stress. She has nine steps, Self Empowerment Principles in Action (SEPIA), that will help make anyone's life better. The steps are Truth, Acceptance, Action, Commitment, Focus, Faith, Love, Humility and Charity. There is a chapter to cover each one and she uses her own life to show why you want to do it and how to accomplish it. She suggests that you write each one down, explore your feelings; it will cover the truth. In the case of Acceptance, write down those things which you know to be true and it will help you accept them as truth. Or Charity - the giving of yourself, while Love is used to generate emotional and spiritual growth within yourself and others.

The book is well-written, and because she uses the errors of her own life to show what can happen if you only seek to survive, it makes it very real and something easily understood. Especially when you are honest and realize that you have done some of the very same things without knowing why you were doing it. While Abrams gives us her life story, never is there a feeling that it is a pity party but more an example of how far astray we can go. Even for those who feel their lives are on the right track, this is a good book to read and to perhaps help you stay on track.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers