6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soulful Living, April 30, 2003
This review is from: The Wholehearted Journey: Bringing Qualities of Soul to Everyday Life and Work (Paperback)
"For I don't want to exist as if in some mindless entanglement in a meaningless world. I want to work myself like a silken thread in a web to which I belong." ~Denise Bissonnette
Through creative writing, Denise encourages the individual to traverse the unknown and to start a journey into the world of soul. The place inside us longing to discover, inquire, solve mysteries, be surprised, awaken to passion or live in a place of fulfillment and purpose.
The feather on the cover seems to be symbolizing the individual or perhaps a writing tool through which we communicate. I also think this symbolizes our ability to fly. This illuminating guide while help you live a more soulful life. "The Wholehearted Journey" will encourage you to leave your path in the world of the mundane and fly in the world of inspiration.
The experience while reading this book is similar to being captivated by a speaker who has found a way to communicate with your soul. In fact Denise is an internationally renowned writer, impassioned trainer and speaker.
In this work, she draws on an eclectic array of sources. Her work is also enriched with quotations from inspirational writers, teachers, poets, spiritual leaders and philosophers. There are over 500 quotes! There is nothing I love more than to find a book filled with stories, quotes, poems and divine metaphors. Denise is not only a poet when writing her poems. The way she sees life is truly beautiful.
I loved the themes of the 20 chapters:
I Dedicate This Day: Bringing the Sacred into the Everyday
Unlived Dreams and Rising Bread: Shaping Fresh Hope from New Dreams
Arriving: Embracing the Unknown
Nurture Your Nature: Celebrating Your Gifts
Rekindle the Flame: Restoring Purpose and Passion
The Masquerade: Befriending Yourself and Others
New Wings: Moving Through Fear
Lessons from the Apple Tree: Accepting Change
Meadowlarks: Renewing the Joy of Giving
The Puppeteer: Pulling Your Own Strings
The Beauty of Today: Seizing the Day
The Journey to Belong: Employing Your Inner Compass
On Second Thought: Harnessing Perspective
At the Feet of the World: Becoming More Teachable
A Heart Contained: Choosing Joy
I want to Live in Color: Living Wholeheartedly
Not One Alike: Valuing your Part in the Whole
Rhythm: Cultivating Balance in Life and Work
Veil of Wonder: Seeing through New Eyes
A Pilgrim's Plea: Remaining True to the Soul
Denise starts each chapter with an original poem, she then reflects on the concepts presented in the poem and presents additional passages and quotes for reflection. There are stories which present profound wisdom in only a few lines, quotes teaching truly interesting concepts and insights to inspire you in your own writing or journey. There is a page after each chapter for your own notes.
Her original poems are something she receives, not something she crafts. That is very true when writing poetry. While many poets seem to be writing in a code only they understand, Denise's poems are written with an open heart and a focus on reality.
Her creativity spills onto the pages in a refreshing stream. Her focus is not only on the outer world. She has an honest and deep desire to share what she has learned so the reader can enter the inner world. The place where your most important journey occurs.
"For each of us must travel
the uncharted seas of our lives, alone.
yet, blessedly, together, side by side.
Trusting that inner compass of hope
and courage and imagination.
Never forgetting that
when we bring heart to the journey,
we make it holy.
When we bring heart to the journey,
we will not lose sight of the brilliant
stars in the immense night sky."
What makes this book truly life changing is the "To Ponder and Practice" sections. After reading each chapter you have the opportunity to reflect on your own life and make notes that will guide you to a more fulfilled existence.
Through the chapters, you will learn how to live in the hear and there, dedicate your days, put your imagination to work, kick the habit of comparison, embrace your limitations and potential, celebrate the differences of your gifts, believe in invisible forces, befriend the dragon, soar on wings of choice, take the unknown one piece at a time, claim your power, seize the present day, rest in the warm pockets of the world, harness the power of perspective, recognize your teachers, cultivate joy, refuse to be tamed by the world, practiced compassion, make balance a priority, recognize your path and so much more!
I especially enjoyed the "lessons from the apple tree" because my grandmother always made pies from an apple tree in her backyard. There are actually two parts to the poem in this chapter. One is written by Denise and one is "humorously" written by the Apple Tree. In this same chapter, Denise gives us one of many gifts. She retells a story she told to her daughter about a rose bush. I found this interesting and meaningful as my grandmother's yard was also filled with rose bushes.
I spent about five evenings reading this book and found it to be healing and inspirational. Each evening I climbed into bed and lost myself in the pages for hours at a time. You could also read one chapter a day for 20 days or only read one chapter a week. Once you start reading this book, it will be difficult not to want to keep reading all night long!
I think this book will come into your life when you need it most. Don't all books arrive just when you need them? I am definitely going to add many of the books the author mentioned to my reading list.
In fact, while reading this book, many things were going on in my life and I found it very interesting how I would read a chapter and feel as if this book had been sent to me by an angel to help me understand certain situations. Part of the beauty of many books is the thoughts you have while reading them. This is a book that will inspire you to think beautiful thoughts.
Denise Bissonnette's poems are also available on CD titled: "Poems for the Wholehearted Journey." I would encourage you to also find the CD as it added to the entire experience. Denise reads her poems beautifully and her voice is calming and her interpretation is inspiring.
For spiritual beings desiring a more fulfilled human experience.
~The Rebecca Review
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