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The Art of Gratitude
Inspiration for creating a life of abundance, joy, peace and love.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
200 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
13 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Gaston
19 books41 followersMeredith Gaston is an internationally acclaimed Australian artist, best-selling author, and passionate wellness advocate. Celebrating the release of her sixth book ‘The Art of Wellbeing – Joyous Living Inspired by Nature’ , Meredith continues to grow her prolific and diverse creative practise.
Meredith’s playfully sophisticated signature style and inspirational words bring comfort and joy to many. Her lovingly illustrated books are translated into foreign languages, her original artworks and limited edition prints collected worldwide.
While exhibiting her artwork locally and abroad from a young age, Meredith graduated from The University of Sydney, majoring in Art History and Theory and Gender and Cultural Studies. Continuing her education as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Meredith frequently features in the media and public sphere discussing wellbeing and creativity in daily life.
Meredith lives with her husband and poodle Rudi on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula of Victoria. This year she is celebrating the re-release of her first title ‘Tucked In’ (Now, ‘Your Bed Loves You‘) and the launch of her new label ‘Love Meredith’ – Boutique giftware inspired by nature, and devoted to women’s wellbeing.
Meredith’s playfully sophisticated signature style and inspirational words bring comfort and joy to many. Her lovingly illustrated books are translated into foreign languages, her original artworks and limited edition prints collected worldwide.
While exhibiting her artwork locally and abroad from a young age, Meredith graduated from The University of Sydney, majoring in Art History and Theory and Gender and Cultural Studies. Continuing her education as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Meredith frequently features in the media and public sphere discussing wellbeing and creativity in daily life.
Meredith lives with her husband and poodle Rudi on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula of Victoria. This year she is celebrating the re-release of her first title ‘Tucked In’ (Now, ‘Your Bed Loves You‘) and the launch of her new label ‘Love Meredith’ – Boutique giftware inspired by nature, and devoted to women’s wellbeing.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 17, 2018
i loved this so much i cant talk more highly of this book, read it.
ugh loved it. I feel like everyone can take something away from this book just like I have.
"Keep your face toward the sunshine and all shadows will fall behind you" Walt Whitman.
ugh loved it. I feel like everyone can take something away from this book just like I have.
"Keep your face toward the sunshine and all shadows will fall behind you" Walt Whitman.
April 20, 2018
I am grateful for the friend who bought me this book, who hasn't seen me in who knows how long, but still holds compassion for me. To find friends like that that care regardless is something I still struggle with on a daily basis as a person with pretty low self-worth.
Anyway.
I want to preface this by saying that I did not fill the books journalling requests. I read it in one sitting and am writing this review immediately afterwards. I adore the concept of keeping a journal, but it's one of those things that surprisingly isn't for my creative fingers, I get too wound up in it being perfect and looking nice that it causes me undue stress. So I tried to think about each of the prompts within Gaston's book instead and found myself accepting that whilst I wasn't the right demographic for this book, I would more than happily share it with others, and encourage participation with it.
"Gratitude is officially defined as a the quality of being thankful; a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. In my eyes, gratitude is a way of life." (12).
Meredith Gaston's "The Art of Gratitude" is one of the sweetest things you will find. Immediately you're drawn in by the gorgeous cover, and as your fingers fold over the pages you find yourself immersed in more artwork that compels you to consider, think and feel safe. This is the kind of artwork that I want to decorate the corners of my brain, my heart and toes with.
I found that I agreed with a variety of chapters, such as the one on Expressing Gratitude (78) where Gaston discusses sharing gifts with people almost feels like she's the one receiving. This is actually something I've been taking upon myself, it's only small but commenting on friend's instagram posts with positive things. It makes me feel better when I see their replies and I hope that it makes them feel nice as well. This is something I definitely implore alongside Gaston.
However, I often find myself struggling with books such as this one that consistently remark that we have "the power to choose happiness." I often feel as though it ignores vital aspects of mental health and illness that do not allow even a choose to exist. I wish more books such as this one encouraged its readers to know that you can be sad and tired and that's all there is, the strain put on one's self to "be happy" is a lot. Sometimes simply to be is enough and that's beautiful in itself?
Nonetheless, Gaston does what many authors would not, and touches on this very lightly and encourages that "people in profound distress seek help as they may benefit enormously from a combination of medical intervention and mindfulness/relaxation therapies" (177). Acknowledging that medication and therapy must often work in tandem is something I think needs to be addressed more and more. Perhaps then the stigma of medication would not be as fraught and young people who are suffering would feel more inclined to take it upon themselves to seek further help. Gaston in this area, takes a step that many self-help book authors do not.
Gaston also includes within her book, a range of resources and lists. Anyone who has met me knows that I am a sucker for a list. This was a highlight in reading it, alongside the colour-coded pages for each different area of gratitude.
What I like about this book is that it doesn't try to be anything it's not. It's simple and honestly a pleasure to read. I consider myself to be a grateful person anyway, but I hope that some of the lessons and encouragements further this for me as well. I'd also like to commend the book further as not only an Australian read, but one from the Mornington Peninsula, my home strip. Reading books by local authors is something that makes me feel like I have the opportunity to do something more with my life. I am grateful for this.
If you're looking for a pick me up, a book of life and softness, Meredith Gaston has what you're looking for. If you don't find salvation in the words, the artwork is your next best bet. This is nothing less than a sweet apple on the tree of life.
3.65/5 stars.
Anyway.
I want to preface this by saying that I did not fill the books journalling requests. I read it in one sitting and am writing this review immediately afterwards. I adore the concept of keeping a journal, but it's one of those things that surprisingly isn't for my creative fingers, I get too wound up in it being perfect and looking nice that it causes me undue stress. So I tried to think about each of the prompts within Gaston's book instead and found myself accepting that whilst I wasn't the right demographic for this book, I would more than happily share it with others, and encourage participation with it.
"Gratitude is officially defined as a the quality of being thankful; a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. In my eyes, gratitude is a way of life." (12).
Meredith Gaston's "The Art of Gratitude" is one of the sweetest things you will find. Immediately you're drawn in by the gorgeous cover, and as your fingers fold over the pages you find yourself immersed in more artwork that compels you to consider, think and feel safe. This is the kind of artwork that I want to decorate the corners of my brain, my heart and toes with.
I found that I agreed with a variety of chapters, such as the one on Expressing Gratitude (78) where Gaston discusses sharing gifts with people almost feels like she's the one receiving. This is actually something I've been taking upon myself, it's only small but commenting on friend's instagram posts with positive things. It makes me feel better when I see their replies and I hope that it makes them feel nice as well. This is something I definitely implore alongside Gaston.
However, I often find myself struggling with books such as this one that consistently remark that we have "the power to choose happiness." I often feel as though it ignores vital aspects of mental health and illness that do not allow even a choose to exist. I wish more books such as this one encouraged its readers to know that you can be sad and tired and that's all there is, the strain put on one's self to "be happy" is a lot. Sometimes simply to be is enough and that's beautiful in itself?
Nonetheless, Gaston does what many authors would not, and touches on this very lightly and encourages that "people in profound distress seek help as they may benefit enormously from a combination of medical intervention and mindfulness/relaxation therapies" (177). Acknowledging that medication and therapy must often work in tandem is something I think needs to be addressed more and more. Perhaps then the stigma of medication would not be as fraught and young people who are suffering would feel more inclined to take it upon themselves to seek further help. Gaston in this area, takes a step that many self-help book authors do not.
Gaston also includes within her book, a range of resources and lists. Anyone who has met me knows that I am a sucker for a list. This was a highlight in reading it, alongside the colour-coded pages for each different area of gratitude.
What I like about this book is that it doesn't try to be anything it's not. It's simple and honestly a pleasure to read. I consider myself to be a grateful person anyway, but I hope that some of the lessons and encouragements further this for me as well. I'd also like to commend the book further as not only an Australian read, but one from the Mornington Peninsula, my home strip. Reading books by local authors is something that makes me feel like I have the opportunity to do something more with my life. I am grateful for this.
If you're looking for a pick me up, a book of life and softness, Meredith Gaston has what you're looking for. If you don't find salvation in the words, the artwork is your next best bet. This is nothing less than a sweet apple on the tree of life.
3.65/5 stars.
October 10, 2016
I bought this book at the store and I am IN LOVE. The calming phrases, the minimalist watercolour illustrations. I want to cut it out and stick it up inside my mind. I read this book by the beach on a blustery day (today.) The tips are great and down to earth. The quotes are soulful. The pages are broken down to easy to read chunks and there are lots of pictures. There is no question of its earnestness. It might not be the most intellectual, but it is certainly the most delicate, calm and whole hearted self-help book I’ve ever read.
June 22, 2017
I met Meredith at Richmond library when she spoke about this book. So many things she said resonated with me and I've applied to my life. I love her style of drawing and her attitudes towards tough times. Her heart is bigger than you can imagine. A great book!
September 3, 2023
This book is like a warm hug, a nice easy read that you could open to any page and it would be good life advice
May 24, 2018
loved it, really nice book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews