Candace A. Croft, Ph. D.

Candace A. Croft, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Psychology Department at a Midwestern college where she teaches classes in lifespan development, interpersonal skills, transpersonal psychology, and integrative health. Keenly aware of the subtle energies directing her life, she has been involved with spiritual healing and energy work for over a decade. Prior to her current position, Dr. Croft taught at DePaul University, managed a wellness center, served as a research director for two national health organizations, reviewed grants for a Fortune 500 company foundation, and practiced psychotherapy.

She received her doctorate from The Pennsylvania State University in Health & Human Development with a minor in Psychology, her Masters from the University of Arizona in Child Development & Family Relations, and has achieved certification as both a family life educator and an aromatherapist.

Dr. Croft holds memberships in several professional associations, including the Association for Transpersonal Psychology, the Association for Humanistic Psychology, the National Council on Family Relationships (NCFR), NCFR Section on Religion and the Family, NCFR Section on Family and Health, and the Institute of Noetic Sciences. She serves as a media contact for spirituality and integrative health.

As an Executive Producer and Creative Consultant, she won film awards at the Houston International Film Festival and the New York International Film Festival and has judged films at the Chicago International Film Festival. She was elected a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Nu honor societies. Other honors include listings in Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in America, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, The World Who's Who of Women, 2,000 Notable American Women, Who's Who of Rising Young Americans in American Society and Business, and Who's Who Worldwide. She has also received awards for excellence in teaching.

Dr. Croft has authored several articles in such professional journals and popular magazines as Spirituality & Health, Sedona Journal of Emergence, Journal of Adolescent Health, Family Relations, Pediatrics, Health Values, Journal of Genetic Psychology, and Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing and has served as a reviewer for the journal, Pediatrics. She authors the monthly column, Living With Heart, for the on-line publication, www.tristatewoman.com. Her spiritual novel, Annalia's Simply Splendid Flight (From Another Side of Day), was published in 2003. To read more about the book, access the publisher's website at www.trafford.com/robots/02-1289.html.

Presentations and workshops have been given before various groups, including the National Council on Family Relations, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the Association for Continuing Higher Education, the American Psychological Society, the Ambulatory Pediatric Association, the National Institutes of Health, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, as well as numerous college, church, community, and alumni groups. Selected as a distinguished faculty lecturer, her presentation, The Shaman Within, highlighted the alchemical power of personal health.

 

Pageonelit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Candace A. Croft: I grew up in southwestern Wisconsin, an area known by the locals as "God's Country."

Reading and writing have always been the basic vitality of my life. At the age of six, I was pounding out stories and poems on my blue, manual Smith-Corona typewriter. I can still remember reading, "A Dog Named Penny" five times for Mrs. Knoke's first-grade class. Some of my best memories include being curled up with a good book-"Little Women," the Nancy Drew series and, later, books by Agatha Christie and Robert Ludlum. Perhaps it makes sense that my love for words and earthly intrigue would evolve into a love for examining the greater mysteries of the human spirit.

 

Pageonelit.com: Why do you write?

Candace A. Croft: For the same reason I breathe: to receive life-giving force. I am most alive when creating with words. When traveling, I am commonly asked by the person who lifts my bag, "Whatcha have in there, books?" Why, yes-and writing tablets and pens. It is a survival instinct; my definition of death is having nothing to read or write. As much as writing is discipline, it is also my passion. Who said, "I hate to write, but love having written"? Amen.

 

Pageonelit.com: Tell us about your book ANNALIA'S SIMPLY SPLENDID FLIGHT - FROM ANOTHER SIDE OF DAY -- Please explain the title as it relates to the book.

Candace A. Croft: The book is a metaphoric expression of the universal mythic journey. "Another side of day" refers to that arc on the cosmic circle where darkness is found, either as negativity in one's daily world or as shadows of the soul. Shadows fall across every child's earthly path and it is there, where the world lacks illumination, that monsters spring to life. Fear of darkness and its unknown threats is a constricting force that prevents a life from blooming forth and, instead, cultivates weeds. Like all children, Annalia learns that fear breeds monsters and fear need never be. She receives tutelage in dispelling illusions by listening to innate wisdom, in this case personified as Lazy Lapis, the Dream Magician. Annalia moves past her dark fright when she practices the magic of enlightenment. Guided by HeartLight, she locates the path that is true to her Self. When her spirit takes wing with love, faith, and belief, the young girl gains flight out of a mundane world.

Although written as a fairy tale, it is not a children's book. Each reader is given the opportunity to personally walk Annalia's journey. The supplemental study guide, included in the book, provides questions and activities to assist the transformation that leads to a brighter day.

 

 

Pageonelit.com: Who is ANNALIA? You say, "Annalia represents the child who remains at the core of each of us, within our hearts." Please explain.

Candace A. Croft: Like each of us, Annalia is a child at the heart of the universe. She is our psyche-our dreams and fears, the eternal heart-mind that creates reality. Perhaps you have heard a parent say to a son or daughter, "I don't care how old you are, you are still my baby." The universal Source that gives birth to every earthly child-the book's Master Gardener-holds the same sentiment. No matter how young or old, learned or accomplished, every person is a child learning lessons in the school of life and needing guidance from the divine parent.

The plot and journey are not unique to Annalia, but apply to all children who have fallen as seeds from Paradise into Earth's garden. Since every individual's personality contains both feminine and masculine aspects, Annalia's journey relates to women and men equally.

 

Pageonelit.com: Please provide the two most important plot details of this book.

Candace A. Croft:Annalia recognizes the innate wisdom of her heart and faces the monsters that invade her life. Simply knowing about the power she holds is not enough. Cultivating a plot in life's garden is a hands-on process. To create a dream, she must act with wisdom or, as Lazy Lapis instructs, "show that she knows what she knows." Only when knowledge and action unite does the power of magic ignite, propelling her beyond the darkness.

 

Pageonelit.com: Why should people read this book over another of the same genre?

Candace A. Croft: Society has changed in many ways since the beginning of time, but the formula for enlightenment has remained constant-faith, hope, and love. Regardless of personal religious beliefs, a profound spiritual message awaits all readers. Written poetically, many passages are enriched by a reading that embraces the meter and rhyme. An enjoyable tale, the book offers guidance for personal transformation by highlighting the steps toward a new dawn where one can live a dream.

 

Pageonelit.com: What do you want people to "take away" or learn from the book-what actions do you want them to do as a result of reading?

Candace A. Croft:The tale graces a person with peace that results from rooting with Self, securely and happily, rather than blooming according to the vision or needs of others. It offers instruction about how to eliminate thorns and weeds from life, confront beasts that encroach upon one's path, move beyond fear, shine with HeartLight even in midnight black, and take positive steps toward a brighter day.

 

Pageonelit.com: Tell us about your monthly column, Living With Heart.

Candace A. Croft: The column, "Living With Heart," highlights spiritual perspectives predominantly from Judeo-Christian teachings, but also includes Buddhist, Native American, Wiccan, ancient Egyptian, and pagan traditions. Through diversity, I hope to highlight fundamental unity. Spiritual principles are of little value unless they can be brought down to earth and applied on a daily basis. Each column advances development with a thought-provoking question or activity that gives manifestation to the heart-mind.

 

Pageonelit.com: What has been your feedback from readers?

Candace A. Croft: Readers have shared the following reactions: Enlightening-It provides a different way of viewing and approaching life that leads to better self-understanding and greater health and happiness. Empowering-Co-creating with the Master Gardener, I am the magician of my life. On a dreary day, sunshine is possible, when chosen.
Transformative-Through greater understanding of Self and innate wisdom, a leaden personality can turn into gold. Using the study guide, one really can design a brighter life and have courage to unfold in bloom.

Teen readers tell me: Annalia is splendid, simply splendid.

 

Pageonelit.com: Who are your favorite writers and why?

Candace A. Croft: Besides those mentioned above, William Shakespeare, Maya Angelou, Paulo Coelho, Margaret George, and J.R.R. Tolkien. Each one bravely exposes humanity's mythopoetic soul from inside a captivating tale.

 

Pageonelit.com: What's next?

Candace A. Croft: I have two books underway. The first one is non-fiction and incorporates my expertise in family life by focusing on human development and the spiritual aspects of parenting. It is due out in mid- to late summer. The second book is a follow-up to Annalia, except that the protagonist is a young boy. I don't want to give away the plot, but wait until you see the trouble he falls into when upsetting life's apple cart.

 

Pageonelit.com: What was the last book you read?

Candace A. Croft: I finished two within a week: "God is a Verb Kabbalah and the Practice of Mystical Judaism," by Rabbi David A. Cooper and "The Remnant," by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

 

Pageonelit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Candace A. Croft: An aromatherapist, I have created a line of botanicals, e.g., potpourri and freshening mists. I sing, swim, walk-jog (depending on the day), and do aerobics to keep spiritmindbody in tune. Some of my most profound ideas come while my body is engaged.