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Winter: Women's Stories, Poems, and Inspiration for the Season of Rest and Renewal
This is the first of four Tending Your Inner Garden® books featuring writing from women around the world on themes inspired by the seasons of the year. The winter season in our inner life can be challenging because of its stillness and dormancy. Yet the season offers valuable lessons and a resource in short supply in the world--time for reflection, rest and quiet. The book brings together the work of established authors with first-time writers, all of whom have compelling stories to tell. As women share these stories and poems, they create and deepen a sacred circle of support on the spiritual path. Suggestions for journaling and reflection are offered to readers as a guide to appreciating the gifts of this season.
146 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2012
27 people want to read
About the author
Debra Landwehr Engle
19 books226 followersI grew up loving books. Some of my earliest memories are of trips to the grand old library in downtown Des Moines, where we'd pull book after book off the shelves in the children's section and carry them home with great anticipation. I still remember the feel of those books, and the smell of the pages and bindings that had been loosened and wrinkled by so many readers who loved the books as much as I did.
One of my sisters (I'm the youngest of six kids) and I had an ongoing contest to see who could read the most Newbery Award books. At the library, we'd pick up bookmarks that listed all the award winners, then we'd lose ourselves in Islands of the Blue Dolphins, Up a Road Slowly and A Wrinkle in Time.
Today, books continue to nourish me—as both a reader and author. I find that, when I write, I do exactly the same things as when I read: sink deep into a story, experience “ah-ha” moments that make me put the book down for a moment to catch my breath, and see myself and the world in new ways.
Years ago, in meditation, I suddenly had an image of myself sitting in front of a coffee table covered with books that I'd written or contributed to. This was before my first book was published, so I was VERY surprised (and intrigued!) to see those volumes, looking as if they already existed. I had the sense that writing them had been easy—that they had created themselves.
Now, several books later, I can tell you they weren't always easy:) But each had a reason for being written—-a story that needed to be told, an inspiration that insisted on being shared, a message that was determined to change the world.
I think of a book as the fulfillment of a contract between the author who follows her internal guidance, and the readers who select the book—hopefully with the same anticipation my sister and I had for those Newbery Award winners.
Books come about because, as writers and readers, we say yes to a seed of inspiration and then allow it to grow within us. "We read to know we're not alone," said C.S. Lewis’ character in Shadowlands. I’m happy, and infinitely grateful, to write for the same reason.
One of my sisters (I'm the youngest of six kids) and I had an ongoing contest to see who could read the most Newbery Award books. At the library, we'd pick up bookmarks that listed all the award winners, then we'd lose ourselves in Islands of the Blue Dolphins, Up a Road Slowly and A Wrinkle in Time.
Today, books continue to nourish me—as both a reader and author. I find that, when I write, I do exactly the same things as when I read: sink deep into a story, experience “ah-ha” moments that make me put the book down for a moment to catch my breath, and see myself and the world in new ways.
Years ago, in meditation, I suddenly had an image of myself sitting in front of a coffee table covered with books that I'd written or contributed to. This was before my first book was published, so I was VERY surprised (and intrigued!) to see those volumes, looking as if they already existed. I had the sense that writing them had been easy—that they had created themselves.
Now, several books later, I can tell you they weren't always easy:) But each had a reason for being written—-a story that needed to be told, an inspiration that insisted on being shared, a message that was determined to change the world.
I think of a book as the fulfillment of a contract between the author who follows her internal guidance, and the readers who select the book—hopefully with the same anticipation my sister and I had for those Newbery Award winners.
Books come about because, as writers and readers, we say yes to a seed of inspiration and then allow it to grow within us. "We read to know we're not alone," said C.S. Lewis’ character in Shadowlands. I’m happy, and infinitely grateful, to write for the same reason.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 12, 2016
A lovely collection of very short stories and poems that resonate deep within your soul in the middle of winter, with discussions/questions chapter at the end for inspirational journaling or thoughts. Highly enjoyable.
Displaying 1 of 1 review