We Are In This Together: Finding hope and opportunity in the depths of adversity

by Beth Kempton

This global pandemic has disrupted life as we know it, in ways we could never have imagined. Even with the gradual easing of restrictions, many material challenges remain. The time has come to consider what happens next.If this experience has made you realise you want to prioritise different things from now on, and set yourself up so you feel less vulnerable to sudden change in future, We Are in This Together will help you do that. If you are feeling anxious about the uncertainty, and the long-term implications of the pandemic, We Are in This Together will help you cope with that.If your industry or livelihood has been impacted and you need to find new and meaningful ways to generate income while juggling your other responsibilities, We Are in This Together will help you prioritise so you can do that.It is a practical and inspiring compass for navigating these turbulent times, helping you to stay calm, figure out what matters most, and lay the groundwork for renewal so you can re-imagine life beyond this. The road ahead is long, but we are in this together, and we will get through this together. And maybe, just maybe, the world will be a better place on the other side.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Ebooks

109 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

日々是好日 - Every day is a good day (Zen proverb)

Beth Kempton is a Japanologist and a bestselling self-help author and writer mentor, whose books have been translated into 24 languages, who loves uncovering life lessons and philosophical ideas buried in Japanese culture, words and ritual.

Beth has two degrees in Japanese and has spent many years living and working in Japan, which she considers her second home. Over the years she has studied Japanese papermaking, flower arranging, pottery, noren-making, calligraphy, the tea ceremony, and weaving. Collectively these experiences have led to a deep love of the country and a rare understanding of Japanese cultural and linguistic nuances. She has been inhaling the magic and mystery of Japan - and been influenced by its philosophy and aesthetics - for over two decades.

A qualified yoga teacher and Reiki Master trained in Tokyo, she also has an incurable addiction to chocolate and Japanese stationery. Beth lives a slow-ish life near the sea in Devon, England, and is currently working on her fifth book, ‘Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well-lived’, a follow up her earlier bestseller ‘Wabi Sabi’

Beth is the mother of two small girls who fill her with joy every single day.

https://bethkempton.com
https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com
IG @bethkempton
Facebook/Twitter @dowhatyoulovexx

Reviews

[Beth Kempton]

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER: FINDING HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY IN THE DEPTHS OF ADVERSITY

The global pandemic disrupted life as we know it, in ways we could never have imagined. Even with the gradual easing of restrictions, many material challenges remain. I wrote this short book in sixteen days at the peak of the first national lockdown, with a sense of urgency I have not previously experienced. It was one of the first books in the world to be traditionally published on the subject of navigating the uncertainty of a global pandemic.

In some ways I saw the pandemic coming earlier than many, because I was planning a research trip to Japan in February 2020, so had been monitoring the virus situation in Asia since the earliest reports. I was unsure about taking my young children into areas of increasing cases, and ended up cancelling my trip at significant financial cost, because travel restrictions were not yet in place.

Having spent the past decade helping people navigate major changes in their life to do what they love, and anticipating the huge disruption to our normal way of life, I plunged into writing this book while juggling home-schooling and building vegetable beds in our garden, in case of food shortages. What spilled out was a compelling essay that extends beyond the pandemic into our choices about how we live, what really matters to us, and how we can set ourselves up to be less vulnerable to rapid external change in the future. It unexpectedly became a powerful call to action for doing what you love,as well as an intimate portrait of one of the most extraordinary periods in modern times.



This global pandemic has disrupted life as we know it, in ways we could never have imagined. Even with the gradual easing of restrictions, many material challenges remain. The time has come to consider what happens next. If this experience has made you realise you want to prioritise different things from now on, and set yourself up so you feel less vulnerable to sudden change in future, my latest book We Are in This Together will help you do that.

If you are feeling anxious about the uncertainty, and the long-term implications of the pandemic, We Are in This Together will help you cope with that. If your industry or livelihood has been impacted and you need to find new and meaningful ways to generate income while juggling your other responsibilities, We Are in This Together will help you prioritise so you can do that.

It is a practical and inspiring compass for navigating these turbulent times, helping you to stay calm, figure out what matters most, and lay the groundwork for renewal so you can reimagine life beyond this. The road ahead is long, but we are in this together, and we will get through this together. And maybe, just maybe, the world will be a better place on the other side.

Learn more about We Are In This Together here

[Jitna Bhagani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and inspirational during these unprecedented times. Highly recommended.

[Claire Milne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realise i needed this

Have finished this with tears in my eyes. I wasn't initially aware I needed to read this book but I am so thankful I did. This is a period that we want to look back on in the future and know we did our best during it and came out better people after it and this book speaks about this beautifully.

[Wendy]

Beth Kempton is an amazing writer. Once again she shares her wisdom in the most beautiful way. She wrote this book during the Covid-19 lockdown, and I am so glad I picked it up during these chaotic and uncertain times. It was like a hug from a friend and a big hot cup of tea <3

[Nik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting & thought provoking. Wish I’d found this one during lockdown 1

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, as relevant as in April. As always Beth gives you lots to think about.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Much of the book is a snapshot of our experience during Lockdown 1 of early 2020; the situation has changed so much since then that it’s hard to force myself to think back to those times. I definitely would have enjoyed it more if I had read it when it was first published (May 2020 I believe) but I still liked reading it.

I’m interested in the idea of s.l.o.w living that the author has introduced me to - I’ve never heard of this so am going to look into this some more.

May also give Wabi Sabi (by same author) a go as it sounds like my cup of tea.

[Karen Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Beth Kempton's work. I may be biased by having taken part in some of her writing classes, but she seems very down to earth and 'together', while also admitting that sometimes, she isn't. This book is for anyone who sometimes isn't 'together', especially in these unusual and difficult times. Recommended.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking read

Though we’re through the pandemic, this little gem of a book will still get you to pause and consider who you’re called to become in this world. There are wonderful reflection questions at the end of each chapter, and a reminder that living slow is living well.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful this book exists albeit I’m late to the party having discovered author-narrator Beth Kempton’s gifts via her Wabi Sabi book very recently. I’m here now enjoying her backlist and books to come. Wise to receive and share this book with others at any point, with or beyond crisis.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I'd found this book during the pandemic. I am a bit sad that we don't seem (as a society) to have taken the opportunity she outlines. But we can still do it as individuals.

[Rayn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meer een boek voor toen we nog aan het begin van de pandemie stonden. Daar is het natuurlijk ook in geschreven, waarin de toekomst nog onduidelijk was. Vreemd om zo terug te blikken eigenlijk.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heel veel aan gehad tijdens de pandemie

[Lotte ☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF