Oh Cheryl, what were you thinking? These quotes read like something learned in teenage years. I like good quotes, they can touch my heart, but honestlOh Cheryl, what were you thinking? These quotes read like something learned in teenage years. I like good quotes, they can touch my heart, but honestly these seem recycled and bland. I really hope this doesn't discourage others from reading both "Wild," and "Dear Sugar," which I thought were fantastic....more
Big confession. I entered this giveaway because I'm at a point in my life where I need to learn to ask forWon through Goodreads Firstreads, Thank you!
Big confession. I entered this giveaway because I'm at a point in my life where I need to learn to ask for help. I truly thought this was more of a self-help book, and had never heard of Amanda Palmer. Turns out, Amanda Palmer is a pretty big deal, and she really did help me learn to ask for help, just not in the way I had expected.
Palmer is true artist. Beginning her profession as a statue in a wedding dress, standing on a box at various street corners, with with a tip jar placed before her. If someone places money in her jar, she reaches down to hand them a flower. But what she also gives in return, is a piece of herself, a connection, a chance to truly be "seen."
Palmer took me on an amazing journey throughout her life. She is a driving force of crowd funding, and what social media can do. She forms a band called "The Dresden Dolls," relying solely on fans and what they can give. She couch surfs, crowd surfs, and forms real connections with her fans. Her whole philosophy is "If you love people enough they'll give you everything."
Her outlook on life is big and fearless. When she is signed by a record label, she soon realizes the profound differences in philosophy. Producers focus on art as a product, forcing people to pay. She sees it as relationship, asking people to pay. She does everything she can to get herself fired, and finally has to lie, saying she wants to have children. That's what it took for the label to fire her!
Once back with her fans, she shares her experience. In fact, this is her way of life, constantly emailing, twittering, and always asking for what she needs. She'll randomly tweet "pillow fight" at such and such a place, and two hundred fans will show up, armed with pillows, having the time of their life. Once, stuck in Iceland, she tweets, and is instantly helped by fans who arrange her pick up from the airport. The woman who arrives, not only gives her a place to stay, but a tour of Iceland. She gives back by performing a live show, not knowing just how many fans she has worldwide, as hundreds show up. Palmer not only asks for herself, but for fans in trouble as well. She got the word out when a fan lost her houseboat, and people from all over sent money, clothes, etc.
Her degree of trust astounds me. Staying with people she has never met, opening her own home to do the same for others. Here is what she has to say, "When you openly, radically, trust people they not only take care of you, they become your family."
This is a whole different view of asking, it's about believing what you have to give is important. It's about getting rid of all the old concepts, especially that of "get a job." Knowing that who you are and what you give, no matter what that may be, is important. That people will help you if you ask. She discovered, " it isn't so much the art of asking that stops us, but what lies beneath the fear of being vulnerable, the fear of rejection, the fear of looking needy or weak. This points fundamentally to our separation from one another."
A quick personal experience. I worked with a best friend and her husband, he being on the leading edge of online music. Free music was played all day every day, and listeners were simply asked for their support. It was, and continues to be a huge success.
As this is not how America usually does business, Palmer receives lots of hate mail...who did she think she is? She actively posts the good with the bad. Not in an attempt to divide, but in a courageous act of letting others into her world. She shows how we are all connected. How both giving and receiving are gifts, and how often receiving is the tougher of the two.
I'm really impressed with this woman. This book, while going on and on a little too much for me at times, is absolutely who she is. A woman with a lot to share and a talented writer as well. She holds nothing back, including her love life, and marriage to Neil Gaiman.
I can't believe how much I enjoyed her story, and her book. It opened my mind to a new way of thinking. Highly recommended....more
A little Jen of a book. While there are many books focusing on living in the present, I really liked the simplicity of this, and how it was told throuA little Jen of a book. While there are many books focusing on living in the present, I really liked the simplicity of this, and how it was told through story. It helped me to remember what is most important in life. I too, am thankful for the gift of "The Present."...more
I cannot give Brene Brown anything but 5 stars, just can’t do it, even though her talks are much more lively than her books. I’ve listened to many of I cannot give Brene Brown anything but 5 stars, just can’t do it, even though her talks are much more lively than her books. I’ve listened to many of her talks, and she’s helped me in many ways. Honestly it’s often just the laughter about her own personal struggles and her inability not to use the “F word! Soooo, I discovered her on Spotify podcasts, and for the last 6 weeks, she’s been going through her “guideposts” written in this book, with her two wonderful twin sisters on Spotify. I even got to take this cool little test that showed me where I stood on a “guidepost”! An example of a “guidepost “ is “letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self worth vs. cultivating play and rest”. My favorite one was “letting go of anxiety as a lifestyle vs. cultivating “calm and peace”. Yes I scored the worst here…so Ohmmm… Namaste! ...more
Read this one quite awhile ago, but was reminded of it again. Don't let the title fool you, this is actually a very spiritual book. I loved it!Read this one quite awhile ago, but was reminded of it again. Don't let the title fool you, this is actually a very spiritual book. I loved it!...more
I thoroughly enjoyed every one of these letters. I would find myself savoring them, reading only a few at a time. Then, I would be so taken I had to I thoroughly enjoyed every one of these letters. I would find myself savoring them, reading only a few at a time. Then, I would be so taken I had to keep reading many in one sitting. There is nothing like advice that comes from the heart, from connection to others, from living through imperfections and difficulties of ones own. I believe we all have a story to tell, and through sharing these stories true healing takes place. This is what Cheryl Strayed has accomplished, and she has helped heal my heart as well....more
I read this daily meditation every morning. They are short, but packed full of insight and have helped me through many rough days. I like how honest
I read this daily meditation every morning. They are short, but packed full of insight and have helped me through many rough days. I like how honest the author is, fully acknowledging the difficulties of chronic pain....more
The best book I have ever read on the sublime ways toxic people are. It's very short, and to the point, giving pages to write your own feelings. EveryThe best book I have ever read on the sublime ways toxic people are. It's very short, and to the point, giving pages to write your own feelings. Every woman should have a copy of this book....more
Debbie "DJ"
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self-help
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