I have spent much of this snowy, white weekend with my dear friend Katrina Kenison, who may live among mountains and wild flowers north of here, but who has a way of writing that extends her voice and touch straight out of terrestrial geography. She is gentle with you. She is fierce with herself. She wants to live a full, complete life—not losing all she's loved, not forfeiting the present hour. Introverted, she thinks. Gracious, she extends.
Katrina has a new book now, a memoir, called Magical Journey: An Apprenticeship in Contentment. On this last day of 2012, and for a few days tripping into 2013, you have a chance to win a copy.
You know how much I love Katrina, for just a few days ago I wrote about her here. I shared, as well, the film she's made that suggests the themes in her new book. But let me do something more to entice you. Let me quote from this book about needing, wanting, failing, righting, this book so tender, forthright, and honest that, even if you cannot find a silent place to read, all the voices that tangle in your head will, in Katrina's company, be silenced. Katrina is writing about herself, but she is, as all memoirists must, also writing about women like her, women who have raised children and who are asking, quietly or chorally, What next? What is my purpose here? "Now I'm coming to believe," Katrina writes:
that there is room in the world for all our stories, not only the heroic narratives of extraordinary people who inspire us with their accomplishments, but also simple stories of ordinary struggles. I suspect that every mother, no matter what her circumstances, muddles her way through the intricate dance of holding on and letting go; that no parent ever feels they get it exactly right; and that though our stories may look different on the surface, they are in many ways the same—about lives that feel as confusing and exhilarating, as mundane and precious, as imperfect and blessed as my own.What do you believe? And how might Katrina's journey mirror or magnify your own? If you want a chance to win a copy of this book, all you have to do is put a comment here, naming one single thing in which you find quiet contentment. You have until January 4th. And then we'll pull a name from the virtual hat.
35 Comments on the first gift of your new year: a chance to win Katrina Kenison's Magical Journey, last added: 1/4/2013
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"Now I'm coming to believe that there is room in the world for all our stories, not only the heroic narratives of extraordinary people who inspire us with their accomplishments, but also simple stories of ordinary struggles."
I wept when I read these words. For this is my cherished belief too, that all our stories matter and can be important in ways we might never know.
Finding quiet contentment is sometimes hard in this noisy world. It comes to me always in the early morning when I sit with coffee and book in hand, and let the words gently waken my spirit.
Reading the wisdom and briliance of dedicated writers. I have found strength in a time I needed it most. Thank you.
Finding quiet contentment for me is as simple as stepping out on my porch at daybreak to watch the earliest rays of sun peek through the white pines.
My quiet contentment is found these days with new friends who share my penchant for watching the evening sunset from one or another's deck...conversation, laughter, the comfortable silences and a good glass of wine.
I've been finding my quiet contentment, lately, in a yoga practice that has done what felt impossible-- made me crave and look forward to exercise.
Quiet contentment is hard for me, but reading by a fire in the fireplace on a cold snowy night works pretty well. I find it hard to balance the busy-ness in my life with these quiet times, but hope that 2013 will be a good year to try again! Thanks for the encouragement that comes from your blog - and Katrina Kenison's books!
Love it, thanks for the great review, I read everything she writes!
And my quiet contentment comes from looking out my windows. We live in a breathtaking part of Maine, and every place I look gives me a chance to pause.
Sitting on my porch in the sunshine. I never understood the contentment that would come from buying a house. It isn't so much the purchase or owning, but the idea that I have a place on this earth. As a military brat who continued the nomadic lifestyle well into adulthood, the contentment I feel in this little house with it's sunny breezy porch has been one of the surprises of my lifetime.
snowy walks at midnight....
(This book will be in my possession soon. Cannot wait to read it!!!) xo
Love. Looking into the faces of my children. Remembering their childhoods, rejoicing in their present lives, rejoicing in their very existence. The feel and fact of my husband beside me. Reading and writing words that soar. Remembering I have stood in Paris. Remembering extended family, and friends. Remembering to be grateful.
I find quiet contentment watching the birds outside my sunroom window. This morning I say a bird I have never seen before. Joy!
These two videos you have shared are the most moving testaments to what really matters in life. Thank you for your blog and for introducing readers to amazing people. Quiet contentment for me is sitting in meditation with God, knowing that I am loved unconditionally. It's being surprised by moments of pure grace - a lavender sunset, an unexpected gift that fills a need, an answer to an unspoken prayer. It's Acceptance with a capital A.
It's easy for me to answer that right now, since I have just come back from a walk in the snow. And I was just thinking how grateful I am to live where I can experience snow, which seems to make everything quieter.
I turned to Katrina after reading one her blogs and asked for help with my grown daughters. Mine had already left but now there were grandchildren. My father and stepmother continued a relationship with my ex husband and his parents and our 4 kids but I was left out there hanging. It hurts so much but I have finally learned there is nothing that I can do except to be nice to my kids and go on with my life.
all my 3 children under one roof
When my two teenage sons, my husband and I are sitting at the dinner table together, enjoying a home cooked meal or close to it, that is where I find my quiet contentment. Tonight, we just enjoyed our traditional New Year's Eve fondue, and I found myself wondering how long this will last. Next year, will we all be doing this together? Will they want to go their separate ways, or will we be setting extra spots at the table? For now, I want to enjoy the moment, but I know it won't always be this way...
Settling into bed with a great book- pure joy!
I find quiet contentment when my daughter and I read side by side on the sofa where I used to read beside my grandmother.
I find contentment when my family is together, eating dinner and laughing.
Contentment for me is when my four children are all home safe under one roof, there are no active conflicts and we are simply together.
Quiet contentment comes from reading, even if it's only a few pages, before I go to sleep each night.
I find quiet contentment late at night when the rest of my household has gone to bed. I sip a cup of herbal tea, reviewing the things that happened during the day that has just ended, mapping out my plans for the day to come. I struggle with my own failings and feelings of inadequacy: were my family's needs met today? did I accomplish the things I should have accomplished? will tomorrow be a better day? Then I remind myself that I am an imperfect person in an imperfect world, striving to be the best mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, listener that I can be. Each day offers a new opportunity to do the best that I can and I am content with that.
I find contentment in quiet moments sipping tea and watching the sunlight through the trees. Feeling compassion for my Self and others is a contentment that fills me beyond words.
Linda Marten
Finding the right book to read at the right time...
I find contentment in my garden...
I struggle to find what is the correct contentment answer, so to speak. Maybe that gives insight as to how mirroring might take place, I'm not really sure.
I find contentment when all the pieces come together in my life. When all your mind can think about is that you are SO STINKING happy. It's a feeling that no one but yourself can feel.
I struggle to find what is the correct contentment answer, so to speak. Maybe that gives insight as to how mirroring might take place, I'm not really sure.
I find contentment when all the pieces come together in my life. When all your mind can think about is that you are SO STINKING happy. It's a feeling that no one but yourself can feel.
For me, quiet contentment is found at the beach house in the off-season, with the only sound being that of the ocean a block away.
This book sounds absolutely lovely.
Quiet contentment can be found at the beach house, in the off-season, usually late at night when the only sound is the ocean, roaring from a block away.
This book sounds absolutely lovely.
Thank you for this opportunity. My quiet contentment comes from sleeping beside my youngest, listening to her soft breathing as she nuzzles in closer for her sleep-comfort.
Thank you for this opportunity. My quiet contentment comes from sleeping beside my youngest and listening to her soft breathing as she snuggles in close for dream comfort.
Quiet contentment for me is curling up on the couch with a hot mug of tea, a cozy blanket and a good book!
Painting.
cheers, jp.
--
spaceabovethecouch.com
p.s I can't wait to read "Handling the Truth."
Initially, I thought I found contentment from my yoga or cooking in a peaceful kitchen. But, as I waited for the comment box to pop up I realized listening to my children tell me something that is oh-so-important to them is where I find tremendous joy. Those simple moments bring true contentment for me.