1200 words

Arrows Across Eons: Becoming Tina Turner

An Interview with Katherine Carlson
By Barbara Bullock

Katherine Carlson, the author of Arrows Across Eons: Becoming Tina
Turner does not believe in coincidences nor should she. With the title
Arrows Across Eons: Becoming Tina Turner the book might first be
understood as merely a story of a Tina Turner fan writing about her
experiences as an admirer of the Queen of Rock and Roll. Indeed, one sees
Katherine witnessing Tina live on stage, collecting important memorabilia and
records as well as plastering her room with posters.
At a first glance, Katherine might not necessarily appear much
differently from many teenagers. However, soon fascinating similarities
between Katherine and Tina, who grew up as Anna Mae, appear. Katherine
was raised in the forests of Canada side by side with Native American heritage
similar to little Anna Mae, whose mother had half Cherokee half Navajo
heritage living in the backwaters of Tennessee. Both girls turned to nature and
spirituality especially in difficult times of their lives and both probably knew
deep down inside that they were destined for something bigger than a
mundane life in the countryside. One soon starts to understand the similarities
between the two women and comes to understand that Tina Turner is not only
one of the greatest and electrifying performers of all times and Katherine a
simple fan listening to her music and finding an idol in her. After all, the
woman behind Tina Turner is a human being herself, just as we all are. Tina
Turner is a stage persona. In addition, she is presented as rather a concept of
strength and endurance and the fact that it is indeed possible to achieve
anything and create simply the best out of even the cruelest circumstances in
life. Katherine actually digs very deeply into the subject of philosophy and
even spirituality when she elaborates that Tina Turner not only lives in all of
us but compares the phenomenon even to God (Carlson, 2010). She reminds
her readers to just pay attention to the universe in your current instant and your
immediate surroundings in order to be touched by the Holy Spirit and be
simply amazed by the many miracles it creates in our daily lives. These
chapters make me believe that Katherine must be a very deep thinker, which
makes it very appealing to explore her way of seeing things further.
Katherine also continues that she even expects magical things to happen in her
life - nothing less. And so the universe responds in form of the law of
attraction. Miraculous serendipities appear in Katherines life, which lead to
the probably rare opportunity to actually meet and become friends with
people, who likely know Tina as the human being Anna Mae best such as her
mother Zelma Bullock, her sister Alline, her son Craig and even Ike Turner,
who is often still today associated with Tinas brutal early career and home
life during their 16-year long marriage.
As many metaphysical teachers will agree, the universe is a vast and
mysterious dimension inexplicable and yet predictable to a certain degree
if you believe in it that is. Neither tangible nor visible yet the universe is filled
with specific rules, laws, roadmaps and an archive of everything that has ever
been, is and will be. The universe is always around us, influencing and
responding to us humble human beings. Spirit guides and higher powers as
well as the higher self of each individual regardless of his/her belief system
guide us and teach us along our lifes paths mirroring back experiences
according to our deepest truths and desires as well as thoughts and actions
good or bad.
I would not be surprised if Katherine continues her writing and becomes one
of the most successful metaphysical teachers some day should she wish to
choose this path. In the meantime, I wanted to find out more about Katherine
and her journey so far and interviewed her.
Barbara: Katherine, I often see myself in you. I had a similar upbringing, had a
hero, who saved my life when I needed it, have had miraculous encounters,
and I am a very spiritual person, who knows that there is more than what we
can see. I have often felt that I would like to tell my story to the world. I would
like to know, what inspired you in general to tell your story to the world and
when did you know that writing a book about it would be the best way to go?
Katherine: Certain people suggested that this story had universal appeal, and I
felt that way too. Since I am writer, it was a natural choice to express the story
as a book.
Barbara: If you look at yourself today and all you have achieved so far in your
life, which your book also reveals - moving to Los Angeles, your career in
show business, starting your writing career to name a few examples, do you
think you and everything you do was meant to be from the beginning or is it
the result of goal setting, positive thinking and creating your own life
experience?
Katherine: I think it is a combination of both.
Barbara: When did you realize that Tina Turner is not just a hero for you and
certainly one of the greatest performers of all time but rather a philosophy, a
way of life, which can be found inside of all of us?
Katherine: Her story is one of cultural significance - very symbolic in many
ways. She has become synonymous with endurance and the resiliency of
spirit.
Barbara: What was your turning point in your life when your hero Tina saved
your life?
Katherine: Tina reminded me of my own potential. We can set our own
course.
Barbara: It must have felt surreal to meet Anna Mae Bullocks family. Has it?
Katherine: Yes, at the time it felt surreal. Today, I realize that everything
happens for a reason; all unfolds as it is meant to.
Barbara: If you could say anything to Anna Mae what would you want to tell
her?
Katherine: I would thank her for remaining true to herself and for not giving
up - for setting an example of courage.
Barbara: You mention in your book that you expect magic in the form of
amazing happenings. What is the next magical experience you expect in your
life? What are your biggest dreams and goals from here?
Katherine: To slowly allow fear to dissipate... in favor of trust, and to continue
to tell meaningful stories, and to try to impact others in a positive and hopeful
way.
Barbara: I read in your book that God resides in all of us and all things
surrounding us. Can you give me an example where you see it right this
instant?
Katherine: I can sense God in this very exchange.
Barbara: Thank you, Katherine.
As we close this conversation, I keep asking myself whether
Katherines and my paths crossed in our lives for a reason as well. I suppose
that well find out someday or will ponder forever. In this moment and for
now, I am grateful to have come across Katherine Carlson and her story as
well as Tina Turner - the Tina inside of all of us - as the brilliant and
electrifying performer and the wonderful and inspiring human being Anna
Mae Bullock.
Copyright 2012 Barbara Bullock
Works Cited:
Carlson, K. (2010). Arrows Across Eons: Becoming Tina Turner. Lexington,
KY: Shadow Vally Press.
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