From the Florist to the Forest: Think Deep Before You Leap
by Charlie Marcol
Compelling, Real, Essential, Riveting are just a few words to describe From the Florist to the Forest. Invitations, themes, cakes, floral design and bridal fashions have transcended the objective of the institution of marriage. While marriage rates are declining, divorce rates are escalating. This is a cause for concern not only for the institution of marriage itself, but also the stability of families. Marriages are failing because people fail to prepare for matrimony. Everyone has their own vision of love, but there must be a willingness to communicate that vision.
A lack of communication leads to unrealistic expectations, which can cause the demise of a relationship. Discover what you need to know and forget about superficial trappings. In the end, the flowers on your wedding day won't matter when happiness is but a dream deferred.
Book Reviews
"From the Florist to the Forest is a beautifully transcribed testimony of growth and triumph over uncertainty and disappointment. Charlie's bravery to share her relationship journey will bless you! Her insight originates from an honest place that many women won't dare to venture. Her inward self-reflection causes you to assess your own relationship needs, wants, and intentions. This isn't your momma's relationship guide! I highly recommend this book for women and men, young and old."
-Dr. Pamela Price
As a single woman, "From the Florist to the Forest" helped me recognize the part I play in relationship mistakes of the past and has helped me develop a better and introspective attitude about love.
-Melody Kym, Houston
As a woman who has journeyed from the florist to the forest and barely survived it, I wish this impactful and honest account of the reality of matrimony existed for me to learn from while in a daze at the florist. The journey is real, and Ms. Marcol has done an exceptional job highlighting the struggle of two becoming one. Marriage should not be taken lightly and is not for the faint at heart. I recommend this to every woman who "thinks" they are ready for the ministry we call marriage!
-Dr. Quincy Miller, Houston
Hi beautiful! I just had to let you know I absolutely LOVED your book! From the personal message (thank you) to the last sentence (I don’t want to be like Lott's wife either!) It truly blessed me, it made me laugh, cry, shake my head, but more importantly it reminded me that God knows what’s best for me! And while I’m waiting I should be working for HIM, as well as on me, so I can be ready for him. The one God made for me. Your book is anointed and I know it will bless many ladies' lives, because it certainly blessed mine so keep doing what you’re doing. I love you! I want to know how I can buy copies of the book for my friends :)
-Nakia Williams, California, Houston
Excerpt: From the Florist to the Forest Chapter One
“The Season of Singleness and the Pressure”
Seasons, people, and trends all change and eventually your season of singleness will change if that is God’s will for your life. The season of singleness can be tough on any woman that has everything her heart desires. I mean, she has it all . . . the car, house, decent career, designer clothes, supportive friends, great family, active in the community and she may even have children. What she does not have is a husband to complete her happily ever after. She’s missing a mate that will display Christ-like love and sweep her off of her feet.
It seems as if a single woman over the age of 30 should walk around with a scarlet “S” on her chest. The “S” is not because she is a super person, but because she is super single and everybody knows it. Society has painted the picture that by the age of 30, a woman should be married, with 2.5 kids, a house in the suburbs with a white picket fence, dogs running in yard, and a SUV sitting in the driveway. This ideology is so deeply woven into society’s tapestry that if a woman has not met these objectives in life, then “something must be wrong with her!”
The irony is that society has drastically changed its view on marriage within the last decade, but the view for heterosexual women has remained the same. This new-age view of marriage reminds me of a fast food restaurant where you can have it your way: quick and made to order. Everything goes from reserved, open, gay, with or without children, pets as children, and some couples don’t even live in the same house. It is complicated, unequally yoked, arranged and deranged, and maybe even common law. Everything else is the new normal, except when it comes to heterosexual women.
For that single woman over 30, the number one question at social functions and family gatherings is “When are you going to get married?” Inquiring minds want to know and people begin to pry and probe. Happy thoughts turn to “Oh no, here it comes . . . the pressure,” followed by doubt, with mixed emotions. Even the overtly confident single woman may begin to question herself and ask “What is wrong with me?” or “Why I am not engaged?” Listening to naysayer’s opinions about your singlehood creates obsessive thoughts about being married. I know it’s hard not to consider others’ judgments, but you must stop over-analyzing “the whys” and the “what ifs” and know that God is working on your behalf. Instead, praise God for his divine protection for preserving you for the right someone. God has a blessing in store for you, but you must wait and be of good courage.
1 Corinthians 7:7 tells us that God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of married life to others. Right now may not be your time but I promise you, it’s not the end of the world. While others are focusing on what is wrong with you, ask yourself, “What is right with me?” No, you don’t need to cut your hair, go natural, get Botox, add extensions, get braces, enhance your breast, whiten your teeth, or lose a few extra pounds to make him come or have an infinite attraction to you. If you want to partake in those things to make you feel better, then by all means go ahead, but if you are doing all that for the sake of a man and a relationship, then stop it! Just continue to be you, the way God made you. When you do some self- reflection, you will learn that everything you thought was wrong is perfect. There is someone that will love your imperfect self, perfectly.
Sure, you probably could be married, with kids, a mansion in the hills, and a nice luxury car; but would you be completely happy with your life and your mate? Alexander Pope once said, “Fools rush in” and some of the fools end up in miserable marriages. Thank your lucky stars that is not you! You are single for a reason . I am certain there have been suitors in your life but you did not settle because you are waiting on him. Hopefully your him is God. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being single when it is a part of God’s plan. In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord tells “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” There is still hope for your future. God ordained marriage and He made time. Everything that we do is on God’s watch and with his infinite wisdom He will pour out a blessing that you don’t have room to receive when the time is right.
Real Talk
Okay, so you are single. To be single is a blessing from God in disguise. Ask the Apostle Paul. He believed being single was a gift and an opportunity to develop a relationship with the Heavenly Father. You may not think so, but God has you in a particular place and space for a reason. For example, how is your emotional landfill? You know that place . . . that ugly, nasty, stinky section of our minds where we burry the truths of our lives. Piling trauma, hurt, calamity, and drama in our emotional landfill should only be temporary, but sometimes we hold on to these memories longer than we should. We learn how to compartmentalize so we can “survive” for the moment. Sadly, too often those moments end up lingering and affecting our relationships. When our emotional landfill starts to overflow, it is because it is too painful to go back to process the situation. Healing only comes when we can fully process the hurt and the pain. Is your landfill spilling over because you refuse to heal and forgive?
It is impossible to be in a healthy relationship when your emotional landfill is filled to capacity. Ask yourself, would you marry you if you were carrying all that junk around?
( Continued... )
© 2015 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Charlie Marcol. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
Order From the Florist to the Forest: Think Deep Before You Leap
Non-fiction; Self-discovery and Self-help
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Meet the Author
Charlie Marcol, was born and raised in the great state of Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Houston, where she became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. She also earned a Master of Education Degree in Counseling from Texas Southern University. From the Florist to the Forest is her debut novel. Although she is new to the publishing world, her book is spreading like wild fire. She was featured on the Day Break morning show in Dallas instilling her motto to "Think Deep Before You Leap" into marriage. Charlie seeks to empower women through awareness, discussions and self-love. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending quality time with family. Charlie currently lives in Houston with her adorable 10 year old son Gavin.
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