Unwrapping some thoughts...
Unwrapping...
Blooming into Mindfulness
Authored by Martha Brettschneider
Buzz about the book...
Brettschneider turns life experiences surrounding her mastectomy into a delightful and interesting read chock full of humor, honesty, emotion, and wisdom. Her similes and cultural references create distinct pictures that will cement the ideas into your mind. "Weeding became more than weeding," she writes. "I discovered myself clawing and stabbing at the earth with my trowel, gritting my teeth as I unearthed the roots of invasive, unwanted plants like so many cancer cells." Pure gold.
~ Janet Sheppard Kelleher, author of Big C, little ta-ta: Kicking Cancer's Butt in 7 Humorous Stories
I simply loved this book. Martha is a gifted writer who brings to life her story of being an overworked, unhappy economist to finding a more balanced, peaceful life through mindfulness and other wellness-nurturing practices. Martha's skillful storytelling carried me through her cancer experience and subsequent transformational journey, leaving nuggets of wisdom and authenticity insights along the way. This is a must read for anyone wanting to create change and be more present in their lives.
~ Wendy Sherwin Swire, MA, PCC
Co-author of Anytime Coaching: Unleashing Employee Performance
Head of the DC Neuroleadership Group
Bethesda, MD
About the book...
You truly can become your own worst enemy demanding more and more performance of yourself which will culminate in another success. It gives you the feeling that you finally have made it. Yes! But many times when you achieve that coveted goal you are left feeling discontented and short-changed because that awesome victory is not enough for you and you feel the need to climb even higher to feel inside yourself that you "have arrived". You drive yourself forward once again to the next accomplishment thinking it will be the very thing that will bring peace inside your heart... but will it? Is that where peace is found for you?
Martha Brettschneider's book, "Blooming into Mindfulness" How the Universe Used a Garden, Cancer, and Carpools to Teach Me That Calm Is the New Happy inspires you to let go of all the striving and struggles within yourself and seek internal peace. The author suggests ways to control that angst inside of you (actually naming it your internal bully) and shares how those feelings can be harnessed so that you can actually control your own happiness and purpose in life.
She shares her own life experiences in which she is transformed from a "a ego-centered screaming mommy to a meditation-touting creative, finally at peace with the world" woman.
Amidst her bustling life in suburbia, where she never expected to be, she is diagnosed with breast cancer, which she never expected to have. Oh my! Her search for solace and peace takes her into her garden where she almost becomes one with the earth. She digs, weeds, and prunes not only her physical garden but her very life garden as well. She had an epiphany there which frees her mind and spirit. She realizes she is always focusing on the "what if's" in her future and completely missing all the beauty in the here and now. Her garden reveals a true key to happiness... no matter where life leads you you can always find happiness all around you if you stop, breathe in deeply, open up your eyes wide... and receive it. It is there for the taking and peace can be yours. I am sure you will enjoy this book and learn some valuable lessons that you can assimilate into your life's journey.
Martha Brettschneider is a writer, blogger, and award-winning photographer with a passion for inspiring mindfulness, the practice of finding beauty in the present moment. She stumbled upon mindfulness teachings in 2010 after breast cancer forced a reorientation of every aspect of her life--body, mind, and spirit. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two sons, and a rascally golden retriever puppy who takes great pleasure in eating her garden. Visit her at www.marthabrettschneider.com.
About the author...
Martha Brettschneider is a writer, blogger, and award-winning photographer with a passion for inspiring mindfulness, the practice of finding beauty in the present moment. She stumbled upon mindfulness teachings in 2010 after breast cancer forced a reorientation of every aspect of her life--body, mind, and spirit. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two sons, and a rascally golden retriever puppy who takes great pleasure in eating her garden. Visit her at www.marthabrettschneider.com.
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It's a wrap.
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