Open Boxes: the gifts of living a full and connected life

by Christine Organ

A celebration of the human spirit, Open Boxes is a collection of stories that doesn't just tell readers - but shows readers - how to live fully and connect deeply by reveling in the sacred within our everyday lives. Through stories about everything from spirituality and parenting, self-acceptance and friendship, shopping at Old Navy and bowling with preschoolers, readers will be inspired to gently lift the lids off of their compartmentalized lives and tie together the torn and tattered pieces that lie inside in order to live more fully and connect more deeply with the people and world around them. Open Boxes is filled with stories of comfort, struggle, heartache, joy, insight, compassion, resilience, and redemption. Like a cup of coffee with a good friend, the stories will soothe and inspire, uplift and motivate, entertain and encourage.

Genres: Nonfiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2014

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Insightful and thought-provoking. Each chapter is like a daily devotional, making me think about little things, big things and how it all connects to make a life worth living. Well done Christy. :)

[Samantha Brinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine is honest and brave in her writing. She tells stories of love, of parenting, and of the everyday. She tells stories of joy and stories that cast a spotlight on the hardest parts of life - the parts that a lot of us only whisper about under the covers in those quiet and secret moments before sleep. The result of this is the sense that she understands deeply what it means to live - really live - in her days, and how to connect deeply with all the parts of herself and of her world, the good, the bad and all the parts in between. Her optimism is contagious and her words are inspiring.

It is evident on every page that Christine has found the grace in her moments. That she has her eyes wide open to the absolute miracle it is to wake up in the morning every day and to be alive.

And because her eyes are wide open, she makes it easier for us to open our eyes as well.

[Michelle DeRusha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Christine Organ writes with such realness and authenticity. She takes the everyday, ordinary moments of her life, and she transforms them into stories every one of us can relate to. I appreciate, too, how she doesn't avoid the messy moments, but instead, walks right through them and finds unexpected grace around the corner. Journey with Christine and find grace in the parking lot of Old Navy, wonder in quantum physics and ordinary miracles every step of the way. This is a book you will savor and delight in, and one you are sure to return to again.

[Wendy Wisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read Christine Organ's beautiful book, I felt like I was being let into her mind. I watched her wrestle with questions of life, faith, parenting, marriage, and friendship. She goes deep. She says it all. And she does it with generosity and elegance. Her stories are relatable, but don’t shy away from brutal honesty. She writes about postpartum depression, eating disorders, anxiety, childhood pain, and finding herself as a writer. I really loved this book.

[Galit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Organ places words carefully and beautifully on the page and her message of “tying together the torn and tattered pieces” of our lives is stick-to-your-ribs good.

[Andra Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this message right now. Life is a constant reminder to move boundaries, to unbox ourselves, to experience. I'm glad this series of stories came my way. We all need this message today.

[Jennie Goutet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open Boxes is divided into sections which direct the reader's attention to grace, miracles and wonder; and she shares snippets of her life, which illustrate the themes. Most of these vignettes made me feel a connection to her, and I appreciated how much we have in common.

She's so down-to-earth, I imagine a lot of people who read her book discover this feeling of shared humanity. And her overtures in connection and vulnerability are the perfect backdrop to the theme of "open boxes." We are not to compartmentalise our own lives, and we shouldn't close off from others who don't seem at first glance to be like us.

Full review here: http://aladyinfrance.com/reviewing-op...

[Carynpayzant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice memoir of how one woman looks at every day occurrences and finds the miracles, grace, and wonder that is all around, all you have to do is watch for them. The author concludes that if you are looking for these three things, your spirituality will increase, a trait that she says is the “one common denominator that connects it all" in life. I detailed my review in a blog post: http://themidlifeguru.com/get-healthy...

After reading the book, I admit that I have a greater appreciation for the everyday miracles, grace, and wonder that occurs in my own life which is a positive thing!!

[Kim Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts about the grace, the wonder and the miracles stayed with me after I read Open Boxes. I realized that I have so many examples of each in my life. Sometimes I see them in the moment, other times they come to me in reflection. I started thinking about the things I share or don't share - not only as a blogger, but as a friend and a member of a family, a member of a community.

It made me consider the other boxes I hold. Maybe I could start ripping the tape off of some of those, too. This was a great reminder about how many connections we can make when we allow ourselves to be seen.

[Christine Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully and brilliantly written book, urging us all to dig deep and live a full and connected life. Christine is a gifted writer with a powerful message to us all. Her insight and perspective will inspire you to discover the wonder, grace, and every day miracles in your own life!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of thoughtful, well-written essays. The author shares personal anecdotes along with her thoughts about life, love, and motherhood. I could relate to many of her stories!

[Katie Sluiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

[Ace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational and uplifting.
See my full review on the blog: http://www.gatheringgraces.com/2015/0...