Stay Strong & Fight On
Never was a battle won by laying down your sword
WELCOME TO MY BEAUTIFUL TIRED MIND
I'm sure everyone at some point has been told by well meaning friends and family to “live your best life” - but in all honesty, what does that actually mean? And what if, like myself and so many other people I come across on my travels your health has other ideas - now that I find myself battling multiple chronic health issues I am more determined than ever to put mind over matter, take that advice and indeed attempt to live my life to the fullest despite the knock backs and obstacles thrown in my way; whilst continuing to share with you all the peaks and troughs of this journey along with my tips and coping techniques for maintaining the best mental health possible despite it all. Beautiful Tired Mind serves as a vessel to project my passions, lust for life and travel adventures whilst sharing my motivation along with what drives and inspires me in this battle back to a comfortable level of mental and physical health. So why not join me on this ride as I share the joys and highs of the good days and the fight to maintain positivity, composure, belief, hope and optimism on and despite the bad days AND to always try to put up the best fight possible regardless of mood, health and circumstances - let's share the journey together and make new friends along the way X
DISCOVER BEAUTIFUL TIRED MIND BOOK CLUB
Some Uplifting reads for the Soul or just pure Escapism
Welcome to Beautiful Tired Mind Book Club, recommendations and reviews for self help books along with pure escapism in novel form. Some offer more than just a feel good factor but also an insightful look into the human psyche and everyday coping mechanisms, hopefully proving helpful in understanding or just accepting our own individual journey or alternatively getaway books to switch off and escape deep into real or fictional adventure.
Feel free to contact us with book suggestions or to submit your own reviews.....FIRST REVIEW: Dancing with Elephants by Jarem Saratsky
DANCING WITH ELEPHANTS
Jarem Sawatski
Being slightly obsessed with Elephants and always on the lookout for an inspiring self help book, I was immediately drawn to this book by its cover, little did I know it would offer so much more than its beautifully drawn elephant illustration on the cover would suggest.
Such an open, honest and insightful book from author Jarem Sawatski which starts with him sharing his family's and consequently his own fight against the heriditary Huntingtons' disease. Far from being downbeat it's quite the contrary and Jarems' take on facing things head on..ie Dancing with the Elephant (in the room). A very touching, powerful and at times humorous take on the old adage "Don't wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain!"
His targeted audience I imagine to be quite wide and varied as the author talks through Mindfulness training (with the blessing and backing of Jon Kabat Zin, perceived to be the godfather of modern Mindfulness) for those living in the shadow of dementia, chronic illness or just an aging brain, whether it be yourself or a caregiver in such difficult situations. It is I believe the authors' desire to teach the reader to live their best life regardless of their physical or/and mental health capabilities or memory problems through healing practices, changing of preconceived perceptions and expectations along with practical self help tools.
I highly recommend Dancing with Elephants or "How to die smiling" (sub-title) and feel honoured and to be quite honest grateful to be a recipient of the lessons so eloquently shared by Jarem Sawatski in this book.
The Midwife of Venice
by Roberta Rich
In this her debutorial US novel Roberta Rich certainly encaptures the seedy side of Venice in the 16th century, expertly traversing from the Jewish ghetto over to the elitism of the Christians in their ivory towers and cleverly creating a clear picture of the obvious disparity between both.
The story is set in the Venice of old and centres around a female protagonist called Hannah Levi who is a Jewish a midwife in the Venitian ghetto who has gained renown for her skill in coaxing reluctant babies out of their mother's bellies using her “birthing spoons”, a rudimentary form of forceps. It is forbidden by culture, religion and law for her to attend a christian birth but when called upon by strangers in the middle of the night to do just this, could it be the very act that endangers her life and that of her people when she finds herself crossing all boundries and going against all that she believes doing exactly that in an attempt to earn enough money to save her husband Isaac who has been kidnapped at sea and is being held for high ransom by the Knights of St John in the Maltese capital of Valetta. We also in turn follow Isaacs' story as he is sold into slavery and forced to live off his whits while awaiting payment of his ransom.
It is a cracking, fast-paced historical novel set against the richness and squalor of 16th-century Venice and Malta. An imaginative tale with many suspensful twists and turns. The author certainly grips you within the first page and takes you on the ride of your life all the way through inducing many audible gasps and grimaces along the way due to Ms Richs' wonderful wordery. I Enjoyed the book very much and give it an unequivical thumbs up and will also look forward to more titles by this author.
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