Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, everyone, welcome to Grow to Your Fullest channel. I’m Ling Zhang, the author of Grow to Your Fullest. Today I will tell you why I wrote the book.
Let me start with my background. I grew up in a small village China, where poverty was around, no milk, no bread and no meat – I even ate wild vegetables and tree leaves. However, I was rich in dreams. The beauty of the nature – twinkling stars, silvery moon light, radiant sun rise, flowers in seasons brought me many beautiful dreams.
As a little girl, every year I dreamed to have a shirt with flowers, especially at New Year. I did not dare to ask because I knew my parents had no money. But that could not stop me dreaming, sometimes I closed my eyes – picturing I put on a fine made silk flowery shirt. One summer, my father brought a piece of silk fabric home. My mother turned it magically into a beautiful shirt. I was so excited when I put it on.
One day, I was told there is a country called America, a beautiful country. I dreamed to come to America then I arrived here in 1996. Now I have been here for over 25 years. During these years, many things happened. One of the things happened was revolutionary because it turned my view on life upside down. I went from being a person who did not believe in anything to becoming a person of faith. I believed there is a God who started everything: my life and my dreams. Though I had many dreams in childhood, I did not dream to have chocolate because I did not know I did not have chocolate. This means my dreams were limited by my limitation. Believing in God removed my limitation. Now I can dream much nobler dreams.
In life, I have gone through so many. The journey was not smooth but was full of great and sensational moments – bad and good. But they all played a significant role in shaping my character. At one point, I came to realize how each moment was intertwined so tightly into a bigger picture and these are moments of enrichment – they instill meaning, transform lives, bloom beauties, and sow the seeds of eternity. God has made everything beautiful in its own time and infused each moment with eternity. I also realized that all those things worked together to bring me to the truth, gain the essence of life, and understand the will of the Lord. As It’s said in the Bible that “ In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
Most importantly, I came to know, through all of life’s struggles and turns, God helped me become an author I dreamed in youth. I wrote the book because my dear LORD, Jesus Christ, His tender, faithful love moves my heart; His gentle and powerful hands hold me, and His words empower me to move forward in life regardless of any kind of adversaries and obstacles, and His calling to live a life of fullness inspires me. In Him, I found the secret of living a life to the fullest.
I also realized the biggest problem is that most people are disconnected from their deepest inner longings, and from their purpose of living; people are disconnected from their calling for a great cause. All these because they are disconnected from the spring of life, God. People pursue paper thin temporary happiness. They want to become famous and be recognized by the world; they pursue success in material possession. At the end, they are consumed by their success instead of consuming the success with true inner joy and peace. They lose the harmony of life.
I value the harmony of life, truth, love and beauty and want to help people to live out their best lives, to reach their fullest selves, no matter whom you are or where you are in life. My mission is to help you to grow to your fullest. Grow to your fullest is my first book. You can find the book on Amazon or on my web site https://www.growtoyourfullest.com/
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Grow to Your Fullest – 4 steps to rise above the crowd, bloom and bear fruit
Through all of life’s struggles and turns, I came to know that God helped me become an author I dreamed in youth. I wrote the book because my dear LORD, Jesus Christ, His tender, faithful love moves my heart; His gentle and powerful hands hold me, and His words empower me to move forward in life regardless of any kind of adversaries and obstacles, and His calling to live a life of fullness inspires me. In Him, I found the secret of living a life to the fullest.
I also realized the biggest problem is that most people are disconnected from their deepest inner longings, and from their purpose of living; people are disconnected from their calling for a great cause. All these because they are disconnected from the spring of life, God. People pursue paper thin temporary happiness. They want to become famous and be recognized by the world; they pursue success in material possession. At the end, they are consumed by their success instead of consuming the success with true inner joy and peace. They lose the harmony of life.
I value the harmony of life, truth, love and beauty and want to help people to live out their best lives, to reach their fullest selves, no matter whom you are or where you are in life. My mission is to help you to grow to your fullest. Grow to your fullest is my first book. You can find the book on Amazon or on my web site https://www.growtoyourfullest.com/
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to capture my random ideas or thought then organize them together
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Don’t Throw Away Tomorrow, Wild Goose Chase
The Winning Attitude, Loving God
Dream Big Act Big, and How to Become the Person You Want to Be.
What are you working on now?
I am a director of data science team and manage a team of data scientists at different levels. I support non-profit companies to mentor young people who will be data scientists. I am also volunteering to be coach and mentor for others for spiritual and career growth
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
amazon books store:
Grow to Your Fullest web site:
https://www.growtoyourfullest.com/shop
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Being creative in writing
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do not let your limitation limits GOD’s WORK on you.
This is not what I heard but I learned from my life
What are you reading now?
Ted Talks
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on the second book that is series of the book, Grow to Your Fullest
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1) Holy Bible – I need God’s words empower me and Him being with me
2) My book – Grow to Your Fullest
3) My book – in the writing
4) Loving God
Author Websites and Profiles
Ling Zhang Website
Ling Zhang Amazon Profile
Ling Zhang’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile