BE BRAVE

As an Integrative Health Coach, I have read many books on Wellness, Coaching, Integrative Medicine, Spirituality and Health, Self-Help Books… The list goes on.

All of them have given me insight and I am grateful for the knowledge, the professionalism and research that supported my education.  However, with all of the inspiring authors I have read, Cheryl Strayed is an author I love and just keep coming back to. 

I happened on her book, Tiny Beautiful Things, years ago and gained advice on love and life from Dear Sugar.  A friend recommended it, so I bought and was so surprised by what I was reading (much different then researched data and self help) that when I would read it, I would sit with what I read and just process.  Sugar is Cheryl Strayed.  “Dear Sugar” consists of short letters that she wrote as an anonymous online advice columnist for “The Rumpus”.  I love that she was real and talked about all of life’s lows and highs, the “HARD” and the unthinkable.  She always closed her columns with life insight and honored the participants asking for advice by thanking them and acknowledging their courage in asking for support.

No judgement- just real life experiences that remind us that we all are not perfect, there really is no Facebook perfect life.  The reason we are here is to learn to navigate life and to do so with a community of support- not alone!

This book led me to recommend her book Wild to my book club (Firefly Book Club). We loved it and I suggested we all hike the Pacific Coast Trail!  (that idea got vetoed, but it is still out there J)

Next, I picked up her book – BRAVE ENOUGH.  It consists of quotes she has lived by, loved and used to help her navigate life.  She also swears in her writing, which is something I like, because I don’t swear and when she writes it, it feels so good.  In this book, she states why she wrote it:

The best quotes don’t speak one particular truth, but rather to universal truths that resonate-across time, culture, gender, generation, and situation-in our own hearts and minds.  They guide, motivate, validate, challenge and comfort us in our own lives.  They reiterate what we’ve figured out and remind us how much there is yet to learn.  Pithily and succinctly, they lift us momentarily out of the confused and conflicted human muddle.  Most of all, they tell us we’re not alone.  Their existence is proof that others have questioned, grappled with, and come to know the same truths we question and grapple with, too. I hope this book serves that purpose for you. 
— CHERYL STRAYED

It is important to believe that can trust that life will support you. No matter what your choice, it is your choice, I encourage YOU to make one…even if it is not perfect ~ BE BRAVE!                        

 

Kerri Weishoff

Integrative Health Coach and Mindfulness Teacher

I had the chance to meet CHERYL STRAYED in person in 2017 (thanks to my friend Lisa Williams)!  It was a thrill, she spoke in Chicago as part of a book tour, it was sold out and I tried desperately to get a ticket in many ways.  I went to …

I had the chance to meet CHERYL STRAYED in person in 2017 (thanks to my friend Lisa Williams)!  It was a thrill, she spoke in Chicago as part of a book tour, it was sold out and I tried desperately to get a ticket in many ways.  I went to her show anyway without a ticket and miraculously I was given one ~ for free.  I even got all of my books autographed (again thanks to Lisa).  It was a true reminder to me to follow your heart, notice the synchronicities, follow your instincts and yes BE BRAVE and most importantly Go For It!