What do you think?
Rate this book
Both Things Are True: A Journey from Fearing Trust to Trusting Fear
The vacation of a lifetime ended abruptly with a positive test for COVID-19. Janine was whisked off her luxury dive boat in the Maldives, ordered into isolation, and left to fend for herself on a conservative Islamic island on the other side of the world, terrified and alone.
Though well into the pandemic, the Maldivian government had no clear plan to provide shelter, food, or medicine for tourists required to quarantine. Fighting for her own survival with a language barrier, only $38 cash, worsening symptoms, and a quickly diminishing sense of safety, Janine came face-to-face with her greatest abandonment. She soon realized her many coping mechanisms, and the limiting beliefs behind them, were no longer sustainable.
Intimate conversations with the Sea while reflecting on the burka-draped women who swam in it led Janine to find her True Self and her Higher Power on that island, where she ultimately realized it’s impossible to ever really be alone.
Though well into the pandemic, the Maldivian government had no clear plan to provide shelter, food, or medicine for tourists required to quarantine. Fighting for her own survival with a language barrier, only $38 cash, worsening symptoms, and a quickly diminishing sense of safety, Janine came face-to-face with her greatest abandonment. She soon realized her many coping mechanisms, and the limiting beliefs behind them, were no longer sustainable.
Intimate conversations with the Sea while reflecting on the burka-draped women who swam in it led Janine to find her True Self and her Higher Power on that island, where she ultimately realized it’s impossible to ever really be alone.
176 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2022
27 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Janine Valentine
1 book2 followersJanine Valentine is an entrepreneur, award-winning author, and poet living in Colorado with her two dogs. She loves to travel, carrying with her a sense of humor and curiosity. Experiencing her surroundings with a soul-level sensory awareness, Janine expresses these perspectives and insights through her deeply relatable writing. She believes that by vulnerably sharing our personal journeys we light a path inviting others to also engage with their fears, release constraints, and find genuine community.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 7, 2022
Full disclosure... I know the author. I'd heard a bit of this story from common friends who were on this trip with her, but couldn't wait to hear to full story.
After a wonderful, long-awaited scuba diving trip with friends to the Maldives, the author is covid positive when time to return to the U.S. Friends make the difficult decision to return without her, as she is forced to quarantine. But she's left with little cash that won't last 14 days and is stuck in a hotel room with no way to get food. AND... symptoms of the virus surface. I'm sure every reader wonders, "what would I do?".
Janine realized the gift she was given of time -- time to be introspective and learn some valuable lessons about herself.
This story is beautifully told. I highly recommend
After a wonderful, long-awaited scuba diving trip with friends to the Maldives, the author is covid positive when time to return to the U.S. Friends make the difficult decision to return without her, as she is forced to quarantine. But she's left with little cash that won't last 14 days and is stuck in a hotel room with no way to get food. AND... symptoms of the virus surface. I'm sure every reader wonders, "what would I do?".
Janine realized the gift she was given of time -- time to be introspective and learn some valuable lessons about herself.
This story is beautifully told. I highly recommend
June 19, 2023
An incredible lesson in trusting fear!
I loved every page of this book that chronicles the authors dream vacation that turned into a nightmare in the Maldives during the height of COVID-19. When Valentine was left behind on the other side of the world by her traveling companions because of testing positive for the coronavirus, she had to face the BIGGEST fears of her life. In so doing, she was ultimately able to befriend and transform Fear into a vehicle that changed her perspective on herself, on her belief system, and on her ability to release the life-limiting beliefs that previously kept her stuck. Powerful insights that we can ALL benefit from as the reader.
I loved every page of this book that chronicles the authors dream vacation that turned into a nightmare in the Maldives during the height of COVID-19. When Valentine was left behind on the other side of the world by her traveling companions because of testing positive for the coronavirus, she had to face the BIGGEST fears of her life. In so doing, she was ultimately able to befriend and transform Fear into a vehicle that changed her perspective on herself, on her belief system, and on her ability to release the life-limiting beliefs that previously kept her stuck. Powerful insights that we can ALL benefit from as the reader.
February 2, 2023
I could not put this book down!
This captivating true story explores the duality of fear and trust in a way that will meet any reader exactly where they are. This is one of those rare books that can be read and re-read, each time delivering a new insight related to surrendering, being present, courage, compassion, vulnerability, peace, power, freedom...ultimately acceptance and celebration of what it means to be human.
I was left feeling as if I had just sat at the feet of a sage mentor and had made a new best friend - the kind who will always be there to remind me: "You got this!"
This captivating true story explores the duality of fear and trust in a way that will meet any reader exactly where they are. This is one of those rare books that can be read and re-read, each time delivering a new insight related to surrendering, being present, courage, compassion, vulnerability, peace, power, freedom...ultimately acceptance and celebration of what it means to be human.
I was left feeling as if I had just sat at the feet of a sage mentor and had made a new best friend - the kind who will always be there to remind me: "You got this!"
March 3, 2023
In Both Things are True, Janine Valentine takes us along on her journey of being isolated in the Maldives after testing positive for COVID; but more than that, she takes us on a journey to excavate through fear and vulnerability to find the dualities. She brings to light the truth and beauty that both things are true: fear and courage; loneliness and solitude; loss and gratitude. I read this book twice as it helped me along my own journey!!
August 7, 2025
Wanted to read as written by a longtime friend
January 28, 2024
Read this book by mistake. Another book with the same title was the book I was supposed to read for book club. I did enjoy this book about overcoming fear.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews