Happy Friday, everyone! Check out the video below. In it, I'm telling you all about a book that touched my heart: Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist. And I'm giving away a copy! Watch the whole video for details on how you can be entered to win. XO!
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Wow, what a beautiful passage. I feel like this would be a remarkable book for the next book club on my blog.
Christie {Honoring Health}´s last [type] ..The Change You Wish To See
That passage just gives me chills every time I read it! It would definitely be an interesting book club selection. I would want to do it as a in-person book club because she writes so beautifully about food all through out the book… you know, a dinner/book club! Mmmmmmm… (Why don’t we live closer?!!!)
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Christie Inge and Joy Tanksley, Joy Tanksley. Joy Tanksley said: Come on over for a giveaway today! http://ow.ly/38HiM […]
That passage gave me chills too!
Katie @ Health for the Whole Self´s last [type] ..“Live Life to the Fullest” 2011 Inspirational Calendar
Martha Beck calls it the “chill of truth,” which I love. It seems to be a universal physical reaction to something resonating deeply — it’s our body saying PAY ATTENTION TO THAT!
As I listened to you read the passage, I thought of two separate sayings that you and I have shared and remembered through the years:“Drink them in Joy!” Or “Oh Mom, drink them in!” The other by your French teacher in High School as she read aloud from “Les “Miserable”. The passage, being so emotional that she was overcome and she would stop reading and say quietly, “Just talk among yourselves for a few minutes!” Shauna’s words evoke not only emotions but cause us to see vivid colors and make aromas pass before our noses! Then suddenly we are challenged to allow ourselves to experience all that is in us, around us, and before us… The good and the not so good… “Summer and winter, and spring-time and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above; Join with all nature in manifold witness, To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.”.……Sorry, Joy, I got carried away. Hugs!
Oh, Mom, I love it when you get carried away! I’m drinking it in!
What a poetic passage! I’m going through a major transition right now, and I’m going to use what I have and what the world gives me. Right now it’s giving me Barnes & Noble and a quiet reading corner, so I’m going to look for a copy of _Bittersweet_. Thank you for inspiring every day.
Miss you.
Big hugs,
Laila
Yeah! And I miss you, too, honey. I’d love to hear more about your transition! Email me if you ever feel so inclined. Much love.
First of all, it was so nice to take a moment out of a stress-filled day to allow those words to paint a beautiful painting in my head. And…I know several friends who are in a massive time of transition who might enjoy this book. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, baby. And yes, it totally makes a great gift. I sent a copy to one of my girlfriends as soon as I finished reading it myself.
“You were meant to be wild here. Don’t let them tame you.” — Isadora Duncan
We danced this as our focus in Nia this morning. It feels in line with what you read. I chose a new, wild top to wear and … I had a costume malfunction!! And it was perfect for the focus. Just didn’t mean to do “exposed” art during class!
xo
Susan
Oh, MAN, I would love to have danced to that focus! And to be present for your wild costume malfunction! LOVE THAT!!!! HA ha ha ha!
Hi Joy! I am a month into my new life in Denver, Colorado! I have always wanted to live out west and the opportunity arose for me to move from Charlottesville, to here.
I’m kind of walking that fine line between being excited and discouraged. Yes this is a big change, and yet I still have some old programming that makes it hard to feel as free as a wild child of the Universe~
I like the sounds of Bittersweet, especially since part of my challenge is finding room to rekindle the romance between my muse and I. The part of the passage that affected me the most was, “make art like you’re training for a marathon.” The marathon is life, I think.
I am inspired to go find a bookstore I’ve never been to before and write my muse a love poem. Thanks, Joy!
Oh, I totally understand that fine line thing. Yep. Big time. So glad this sparked some inspiration for you, my dear. XO!
What a beautiful excerpt from this book. I have never thought about the beauty of autumn in the way described here. It really does inspire me do go beyond my daily chores and routines and embrace my dreams.
Hey Linda! So glad it inspired you! Embrace those dreams, baby!
Thank you Joy for sharing. I love all the thoughts and pictures mind was seeing as you read.
Mmmm… how nice!
The passage you read is everything for which I hope and search within these days. I’d love to win the book, since I may not be buying any for a while due to a little transition of my own. Here’s hoping!
So glad it connected for you! And good luck! Send your “winning” energy to my husband. I always have him pick the winner! I just say, “Okay, pick a number between 1 and…”
I would love a copy of this book! Thanks for the contest!!
Thanks for commenting, Vanessa! Good luck!
Great idea to post a video review and share an excerpt.
Shauna gets deep down into my soul and calms the noise of a busy world, opening the eyes of my heart to the beauty of simple things–yet such powerful things. ‘Love this call to create. Her book Cold Tangerines inspired me to plunge into writing as she called out the writers, painters, potters, dancers to create! She swings wide the door to great possibilities by opening her heart–with honesty and transparency– page after page.
Oh YES MA’AM! Exactly! Beautiful. Thanks for coming over and commenting!
One of my most inspiring teachers says that our pain is the X on the treasure map saying dig here. The bitter/pain with the sweet/treasure!
LOVE THAT! Thanks so much for sharing!
What I want Shauna to know:
I have always felt that God leads me to books. And that is exactly what He did when I stumbled across ‘Bittersweet’ at my local bookstore. I was drawn to that yummy chocolaty crumbly goodness on the cover. Little did I know that every sentence would be uncannily relevant to my life. As a Junior in college, I savored the wisdom you were able to share about waiting for life to happen and dealing with the unexpected. But probably the most extraordinary aspect of your book is that you, as a wife and mother, did not direct your writing towards wives and mothers. Thank for writing for all of us, the college students, those waiting for the blessing of marriage, those who dream about having babies, and those simply looking for vulnerability and sincerity in an author.
Beautiful, Katherine.
Hey, I miss Missa and you both. That is bittersweet because I know you both are going to have wonderful adventures in your new places—–but I still miss you guys.
Just wrote two new November haiku for my answering machines, so I will share them with you—-
#1
Red and gold linger…
October’s last flare of flame
warms cold November.
#2
Night sky holds its breath.
Leaves and birds tighten their grip…
November exhales.
Love you!
Oh, Jean! Thank you for sharing some of your lovely poetry. Made my heart happy!
Thanks so much Joy that link finally worked. Fall is spectacular. I know its a process but I am starting to be more aware of whats happening and listening to my body.
So glad the link worked, Jean! And how exciting that you are finding you can tune into your body more easily these days. Congratulations! (Yes — it’s definitely a process, but a very worthwhile process, as you know.)
Two years ago I moved from the West to the East coast, so I know what you mean by transitioning in that sense. Thank you so much for sharing that passage. I’ve never felt like a very creative person but maybe I’m not giving myself enoug credit? Even if I don’t win the book, I think I may have to check it out on my own.
Kristine´s last [type] ..Seeking Suggestions
Hey Kristine! I hear about not thinking you’re creative. It’s interesting how we so rigidly define creativity. I used to think I wasn’t creative because I didn’t do any sort of visual art and I wasn’t “crafty.” Now I happen to think that we ALL have a deep need to create — and it can come in many different forms.
Thanks for commenting! Hope you’re having a lovely fall weekend.
Joy,
I 100% agree with you — this book is an inspiring, spiritual gift. Shauna is blessed with a talent for crafting words that reach the depths of human emotions — words that break down barriers that open up the gates to insight, allowing tears, smiles and laughs. Truly wonderful!
Hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks for bringing attention to this awesome collection of what you call vignettes.
Austin´s last [type] ..Exam Week
Hey Austin! Thanks for coming over. It’s a pleasure to “meet” you.
Wow…a recent bittersweet fall-like transition? Turning 48! For the first time in my life I felt bittersweet about my birthday…not just sweet. I have always loved my birthday (and I still do…it always feels like a day that is ripe with promise and #48 was no exception). But. But there was also something unfamiliar with #48 and as I thought about it I finally came to the realization that there was a sense of loss. We lose our lives because we spend our lives. It’s a gift and a “taking away” at the same time. In many ways I feel like I am transitioning from the summer of my life to the fall of my life…that time when I am going to burst into color…
KCLAnderson (Karen)´s last [type] ..Revisiting Insanity
Oh, Karen. Thank you for this comment. Poetry. Thank you.
Wow, that is a powerful passage. I am heading to the bookstore as soon as possible to check out that book. Over the past year and a half I have experienced a lot of transistion: separation now divorce of an 11 year marriage, leaving a job of 14 years, moving to a new town, and starting a jewelry business. I think this book might just be a little sunshine when my days seem a bit overwhelming. Thank you for sharing it. You are such an inspiration!