There are times when we all feel that no one is listening to us, and no one understands us. In sharing the sorrowful joy and the joyful sorrow of our lives as engaged people we begin to see ourselves in the lives of one another. World Voice: Connected Communities is a snap shot of a small space in time and a select few people that now know "We" are listening. Writers from around the globe share their lives, passions, poetry, stories, spiritual pilgrimages, and their own humanity, while becoming part of the historical record of a burgeoning global society. The World Voice book series has the goal of fostering communication and commonality of all people across borders. In supporting the World Voice series you are making a difference in people's lives by taking part in creating a community where neighbors might become friends, and all people can connect meaningfully to improve the quality of one life at a time with the intention to touch the whole world. So take your place, take a chance, and leave your mark.

The World Voice Project Book Series invites you to become part of one of the largest emerging Community Learning Networks (CLN) seeking to encourage a participatory culture through which everyone can share their works, thoughts, and art in order to express who they are on a global scale and become part of the historical record of the times. Contributors share their lives, passions, poetry, stories, and humanity by inviting the reader to step into their shoes and be part of their life by association. The World Voice Series has the goal of fostering the communication and commonality between people across cultures and beyond borders. By supporting World Voice you are helping create a community where neighbors might become friends and everyone has the opportunity to continue a conversation into the next volume. It is our hope that the World Voice Project might inspire its readers to take hold of their own creative capacity and fashion their life in a way that makes them proud! Together, we will positively impact one life at a time and touch the whole world. Take your place, take a chance, and leave your mark.

This book is part of the World Voice Project Book Series which invites you to become part of one of the largest emerging Community Learning Networks (CLN) seeking to encourage a participatory culture worldwide. This project selects works that bring about conversation, raise awareness, contrast thoughts and opinions, entertain, inform, and give voice to those who have struggled to be heard. We do this in order to express who "WE" are on a global scale. These works become part of the historical record while inviting the reader to step into another's shoes. The World Voice Project has the goal of fostering the communication and commonality between people across cultures and beyond borders. It is our hope that the World Voice Project might inspire its readers to take hold of their own creative capacity and fashion their life in a way that makes them proud

What distinguishes us, what sets us apart? How do we know we are good enough? We are told we are worthy, loved beyond all measures. Why do we strive to be loved, only to feel unloved? We strive to feel together, only to feel broken. Maybe it is faith that sets us apart, that defines us, that creates life. Five simple letters, yet one great meaning. The force that keeps us together, that makes us feel loved, that gives us life. Faith. Daring our souls to go beyond what our eyes see. To believe in the unknown and hope for things anew. Faith that shines through when the rain is pouring down. When puddles collect at our feet in a dirty mess, faith wipes us clean. It heals our wounds and brings a smile to the broken hearted.

The Casino in Connecticut is the capital building for those of us in the Great Game who live in New England. My friend Matt is a professional gambler who thought he discovered a game full of high rollers to crash, but it wasn't that simple. Since friends invite their friends along when they do stupid things I came along for the ride. What we discovered is that there are people betting on what utter strangers will do next. These Architects of behavior have the money and power to do more than make you disappear. For centuries, the Architects have moved people like puppets, and encouraged players to become monsters with no law constraining us, but their own. What we share here is our journey into a world where anything is possible, and you will be amazed at how simple this all seems. Based on a true story, and it will have you doubting what you know. Everyone questions if someone has already been pulling their strings. Even the paranoid are right sometimes...

In a game where anything goes my life is defined by how I test others. I am a player in the Great Game and the only thing that is keeping me alive is having a life that is interesting and entertaining. For centuries, the Architects have moved people like

The Casino in Connecticut is the capital building for those of us in the Great Game who live in New England. My friend Matt is a professional gambler who thought he discovered a game full of high rollers to crash, but it wasn't that simple. Since friends invite their friends along when they do stupid things I came along for the ride. What we discovered is that there are people betting on what utter strangers will do next. These Architects of behavior have the money and power to do more than make you disappear. They will make you live a life that the average person believes can only be fantasy, and the alternative is often worse. This mostly true story will make you doubt the facts and make you question if someone really is pulling your strings. Even the paranoid are right sometimes...