Thomas Newnam, a 73-year-old Windsor Township resident, is an artist, martial artist, psychotherapist, author, and life coach who began writing self-help books when he became a grandfather.
Feeling blessed to have many of his fondest dreams come true, Newnam remains dedicated to passing along life lessons he has learned. "I've always known that helping others is the best way for me to become my most authentic self," Newnam said. "I've been helped so much, and by so many, all I want to do is keep paying it forward - keep the love flowing - with my counseling, paintings, and books."
Newnam attributes his dedication to health, and what he calls "inner wealth," to an experience he had at the age of 10. In 1956, Newnam won a pony in a contest through the children's television show "Popeye Theater." Entrants were asked to make a cattlebrand design out of their initials, and Newnam devoted hours of concentration to creating his design, which was ultimately selected as the winning entry. That childhood dream coming true, at such a formidable age, caused Newnam to consider that, in spite of the inevitable ups and downs of life, the universe just might be a pretty accommodating place.
Throughout his life, Newnam continued testing his belief that by following one's heart, one can find the path to wholeness. One example of Newnam taking a leap of faith involved him leaving a secure job as a probation officer to answer an inner calling to become an artist. After several years of struggle, Newnam eventually became an accomplished watercolor artist. For the past 35 years, he has had a successful career painting for corporations as well as many private clients. He has had several one-man shows in galleries, created more than 20 book covers for the William Gladden Foundation, taught disadvantaged youths watercolor classes, and posted 23 how-to-paint videos on YouTube.
Newnam began writing books to address a calling to publicly share his story and to relate various life lessons that have helped him on his journey. His first inspirational memoir, "Memo From Your Soul," came out in 2011.
His latest book, "Try Softer: How to Recover Your Natural State of Happiness and Clarity of Purpose," which was published by Bluewater Press in September, incorporates the stories from "Memo" and goes deeper and broader in terms of both enlightening and entertaining wisdom and suggestions for positive growth. Both books are available on the websites of Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Additional information is available at Newnam's website, http://www.sageandbrush.com.
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