Savoring the Sojourn (Book 4) – Signed Copy + Gift

Description

The art of savoring along the journey of creating a masterpiece

A significant component of successfully creating or learning anything new involves understanding how the process works.

Each of us has masterpieces within us. They may be tangible in form, such as traditional art ‑ a painting, an invention, or a novel, or they could be the glimmers of a concept, ideas entertained but as of yet not embraced, skills waiting to be honed and put into practice, wondering if we will find the courage to share them with the world ‑ a business brainchild, a leadership role, parenting skills, even attaining with proficiency a new language or skills to design artisan furniture, a cottage garden or an inviting website. The list is infinite, and no masterpiece is too small or unconventional when it comes to what a masterpiece can be, so long as it fits two criteria: intrinsic to our true self, and our willingness to set it free beyond our control upon completion. After all, we each have many masterpieces patiently waiting in the queue, hoping that we will muster up the courage to bring them to fruition.

However, all too frequently, fear stops us from finishing, even starting the creative process to bring our ideas to life. Essentially, what we are considering is a leap into the unknown, a journey without a map (or so we think), stepping onto an unfamiliar path, a challenge we have yet to complete successfully. While others may have done something similar, we have not yet done it for ourselves.

The reassuring good news is that our fear is confirmation that our idea is sound, and, further, the path to masterpiece creation is well-worn, with great success, each creation entirely unparalleled. What is in parallel is the four-part cycle of the journey.

With the wisdom of Mother Nature’s four seasons, paired with the expertise from researchers of positive psychology, professional musicians, business educators, psychologists, and philosophers, Shannon Ables teaches the four-part cycle of bringing a masterpiece to completion, all while savoring the entire journey, each sojourn.

When we learn how to savor each season on the calendar—a sojourn, temporary in its duration, yet a place we reside for three months of the year—our ability to understand the four-part cycle of creation: acquisition of new skills, assessing, adjusting, and then finally, releasing, eases our mind so we can commit fully to creating. This understanding then becomes something we savor as well.

Specific ideas for savoring the four seasons in all arenas of our life—everyday routines and rituals, decorating our sanctuary, cultivating a garden, cooking with ease, oodles of petits plaisirs, and wardrobe ideas for traveling to France as well as Britain that correlate with our everyday capsule wardrobe—fill the four seasonal chapters of Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Each chapter also includes skills to strengthen true contentment. Discover the benefits of mindfulness practices, how to regulate the nervous system for stability to find enjoyment in stretching ourselves to complete each masterpiece, and learn how to strengthen self-trust in the journey we have chosen.

• 363 pages
• 6 Custom Illustrations by Sarah Löcker

Hardback: $35
Paperback: $27