Motivational speaker and author Jack Mierop will make multiple stops next week throughout the Grand Valley, including a presentation at a Cavalcade Deep Tea event, 201 E. Aspen Ave. in Fruita, on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

In Grand Junction, during October’s First Friday Art Walk, Mierop will sign copies of his new book, “Becoming…,” at Candy Time Shoppe, 500 Main St.

On Thursday in Palisade, Mierop will speak to two International Baccalaureate classes at Palisade High School.

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Mierop has taught public speaking, argumentation and debate, and interpersonal communication for 18 years, at California State University in Fullerton and at Fullerton Community College.

Many of his students would often tell him “you are so motivating — you should write a book,” Mierop recounted.

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That positive feedback led Mierop, 63, to, in addition to teaching, become a motivational speaker, life coach and author.

His book, “Becoming…,” was published in April, and is the first of what will become a series of three. The book set will basically be a course, although not in textbook format, he said.

The first covers identity, and how people can learn to control their thoughts. The second and third books will cover communication skills and significant relationships.

“Becoming…” shows how people have been “programmed and conditioned by society” whether by family, religion or politics, Mierop said.

“A lot of it, unfortunately, is quite negative,” Mierop said. “‘Becoming…’ is about making clear choices, and surrounding ourselves with positive people.”

At Cavalcade on Wednesday, Mierop’s presentation “Habits of the Unconscious Mind” will cover how the “human brain processes millions of pieces of information every second, a vast majority of which is unconscious.” In this talk, according to Mierop’s website, he’ll discuss how to expose these “habits of thought” and choose which ones to keep and which ones to let go. The presentation is at 7 p.m.

From 5-9 p.m. during the First Friday Art Walk Oct. 4 in downtown GJ, Mierop will greet visitors and sign copies of his book at Candy Time Shoppe, 500 Main St.

Self-published by Friesen Press, “Becoming…” is also available at Grand Valley Books, 350 Main St. Mierop is friends with Grand Junction resident and owner of Willow Pond Bed and Breakfast, Laurie Lester, who has a son enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program where Mierop has been invited to speak to philosophy classes on the topic, “Theory of Knowledge,” which he said is covered in his book.

For more information regarding personal growth seminars or his book, visit http://www.jackupyourlife.com.