Percolate: Let Your Best Self Filter Through
Posted on May 15, 2014 1 Comment
Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino has crafted a very creative and inspiring book. She explores the corollary of self-improvement strategies through the fresh analogy of coffee:
- Allow for change to brew
- Choose a bolder brew
- Create your own best blend
- Grow from bean to brew
- Brew strength
- Expresso yourself
- Chillax and have an iced coffee
- Buy the next round
- Percolate peace
The author is the creator of The Best Ever You Network online community and radio show. She has used her experiences of “thrive and survive” to inspire and empower others.
“Percolate” is the author’s metaphor for “how you can move forward with growing awareness, live in the present moment, and experience greater joy and peace.” She encourages readers to “never give up on living your best life every day.”
This book presents helpful, inspirational, supportive guidance in a brand-new way. New seekers will gain from this material; seasoned journey-makers will be tickled at the fresh approach. The author’s voice is engaging, her style is welcoming, and her humor is infectious.
“Smiles are infectious; frowns are, too. Which infection do you want?” –Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino
I was not paid to endorse this book, whether monetarily or with coffee. Hay House gifted me the book in exchange for my honest opinion of it. Love of coffee not required for love of this book.
Miracles Now
Posted on May 7, 2014 Leave a Comment
Miracles Now is an easily assimilated approach to improving your life. Gabrielle Bernstein has laid out “108 Life-Changing Tools for Less Stress, More Flow, and Finding Your True Purpose.” She’s right; they work. It’s worth your time.
For many readers these shared concepts are not new–and yet you will find them to be supportive, helpful reminders of action you can take to help you on your path, right where you are. Short. Sweet. Immediate. Ahh.
Each of the 108 tools is presented in the same pattern, and is easily broken down into a bite-sized nugget of wisdom: it opens with a descriptive title, continues with an entry of exploration and understanding, and closes with a Tweetable message. If you choose to follow and add to Twitter, simply use #MiraclesNow as suggested with each Tweetable. If not, enjoy the synopsis message to carry in your heart!
This book can be used in a variety of ways. Although I began using it as a daily meditation, I quickly decided I couldn’t wait 108 days to finish! A few a day, when I created a moment to enjoy, was incredibly fulfilling for me. Now, I will go back and use the table of contents to revisit whichever topic jumps out at me for that day.
Gabrielle’s writing style is wonderful to read–it’s as if you and she are sitting on your own couch with your feet tucked under you, simply visiting.
This book makes a necessary addition to anyone’s spiritual supplemental reading, and is a no-brainer as a gift to give as well.
I received this book from Hay House in exchange for my honest opinion of it. No paid endorsements here, just sharing the love!
Gonna be late, Mom–car on fire.
Posted on May 2, 2014 7 Comments
My husband and I were dozing in bed with our phones on the nightstands, only half-asleep until our high school sons returned home safely. It’s common (and expected!) practice in our home to keep in touch by texting: they send a heads-up before they leave for home, we appreciate the respect, and they get to go out again in the future. This particular night one son was returning from a closing shift at work, the other from an out-of-town baseball game.
Sophomore Son sends his message: Heading home.
Me The Mom replies: See you soon! Watch out for deer.
Said son arrives home, checks in with us face-to-face, goes to bed, and the house settles again into semi-slumber.
Senior Son sends his message: Stopped at farm down the road. Car on fire.
Me The Mom flies out of bed, instantly awake and exclaiming “WHAT?!?”
Hero Hubby is now also awake, asking me what’s going on. I read the text aloud to him in a daze, then rush upstairs out of our basement bedroom for better cell phone reception. At the top of the stairs I place the call to Senior Son.
Voicemail is not a reassuring option in these circumstances. Just saying.
Hero Hubby arrives calmly upstairs, fully dressed. “Any more info?” he smoothly asks as he reaches for the truck keys on his way out the door.
“No!” I reply as I frantically stab out a text: Just called. Can’t get through. Call asap.
“Well, at least we know where he’s at. I’ll go take a look,” Hero Hubby says as the door gently sighs shut behind him. I continue pounding out messages:
Me The Mom: Call. Are you okay? Call now.
No response. To be fair, I gave it a very long wait of an eternal seven seconds. All right, probably five. At the most.
Me The Mom: Call. Now. Dad is on his way. Are you okay?? Call.
I was working on the next steadily intensifying message when Senior Son’s call came through. Sweet relief at an actual voice, and God bless technology.
It turns out his car wasn’t on fire at all: however, a van that had hit a deer head-on and then tried to continue driving, was. (No one was hurt. Well…no people were hurt….) A roadblock had been set up by the police, fire trucks, and ambulance, and no one was getting through. Our son was simply trying to let us know that he was going to be later than anticipated, and he didn’t want us to worry.
Not worry, with that message?!?
To be fair, his first words upon coming through the door back home were, “I am so sorry! I reread the text and can totally see how you thought it could be me! But, um, Mom, if my car was on fire…don’t you think I would have called instead of texted?!?”
All bets are off with teenagers. And mothers of such.
.jpg)
What I had in my Mama head…which actually is very close to what happened.
How to Stay Sane in a Crazy World
Posted on April 15, 2014 2 Comments
Sophia Stuart has created a beautifully “modern book of hours to soothe the soul.” Her gorgeous photographs punctuate the wisdom she shares from her experience with stillness born of illness.
This firm yet gentle reminder that Life is bigger than–yet made of–our daily life is a tool to help us re-balance. Through both in the small and larger pictures created by it. She leads readers to proactive self-care, rather than her own experience in reaction to serious illness.
Recognizing that my own monkey mind has lately been wearing out my mental hamster wheel, I am grateful for the soothing, savoring, and surrounding quality I become when I read her words and view her photographs.
This book is a lovely touchstone for anyone who could use the gift of an uplift. Both the author’s images and words are a balm for the soul.
I did not receive monetary compensation for my review of this book. However, the spiritual compensation I receive is immeasurable. Thank you to the authors who participate in the Book Nook Blogger program, as well as Hay House for making it possible. Books & blogging–it doesn’t get much better than that! 🙂
Necessity Is One Mother of an Inventor
Posted on April 3, 2014 2 Comments
I think we’re all pretty familiar with this phrase, even if we didn’t know to attribute it to Plato:
Plato’s observation
I also appreciate the offshoots–most notably by Schoolhouse Rock and the creator of Calvin and Hobbes.
Three minutes well-spent to watch!
Friendship awesomeness
Bill Watterson’s boy and tiger escapades
But honestly, this has been my own experience–may it help you find your strength and wisdom when needed, as well:
gina drellack 