If you're looking to have a great 2011, but have some personal challenges that might stop that from happening, Bermudian counsellor Saadia Bean has some help.She has written an inspirational book that outlines the basic principles of good living through poetry and self-assesment: ‘Accentuate Your Heart of Gold Define Your Treasures Within To Create And Enrich Your Life Through A Journey in Poetry'.The book is to be used as a manual and inspirational tool for people looking to improve their lives. It was published by Professional Press in North Carolina.“Over the years, as I have taught people the principles of happy living, I decided that I could write all of those principles in poetry,” said Mrs Bean, a counsellor at the Family Intimacy Centre in Pembroke.“Each principle is illustrated with a poem, and then there is a page where people can assess themselves according to the principle in the poem.“They can walk it out in their lives and look at the changes they would like to make.”A poem called ‘Live in the Present' includes the verses:Childhood till now I've learned to cope,Walking through life with a spoonful of hope,At times life's ok, sometimes it's not,At times it's challenging for me to trust.Tucked far in my mind lives pain from my past,I keep on wondering how long it will last.A present event brings back past pain,I repeat the cycle all over again.This section also includes self-assessment questions like: ‘When life is going well for you, what is working?', ‘ How do you feel?' and ‘What area of your life would you like to be different?'.“It is about the areas of growth the reader would like to experience,” said Mrs Bean. “‘Accentuate Your Heart' helps people to understand that we all have a heart of gold. It is beautiful inside of us.“In order to live a fulfilled life we have to learn to accentuate that.“We have to look inside and find it. Defining ourselves is very important.”She said the book allows the reader to see themselves as the change agent for any situation.“We have enough beauty inside of us, enough know-how,” said Mrs Bean. “If we put all those pieces together then we will know how to create change in our lives.”Mrs Bean has been writing poetry privately for at least ten years, but it was only recently that she realised she could use it in a clinical setting.“The words just flow from me,” she said.She has been a counsellor for 12 years, and said she has probably seen hundreds of clients in that period. She and her husband, DeTroy, often counsel couples together.“I have a masters degree in teaching,” she said. “Then I took classes in counselling at the University of Michigan.“I didn't think that I would end up receiving certification in it. I originally just took the classes for the sake of interest. Then I decided I would continue and I graduated with a certification in family studies.”She said so far, she has had good feedback about the book. Her friends, family and clients are excited about it.“I feel encouraged by this and I know I will write another one,” she said. “The information in each poem is so valuable.“I love that it doesn't take a lot of reading. The poems are maybe six verses long. Having read those, you can actually get the point.”Ask about the book in local bookstores, contact the Family Intimacy Centre on 295-3762 or contact Mrs Bean online: sdbean[AT]northrock.bm or FamilyIntimacyCentre.org.