Rx: “Keep Moving”
Prescribed by: Maggie Smith
Prescribed for: Anyone who needs to feel seen, heard, and understood; validation awaits on every page.
Side Effects: An overwhelming desire to break out your favorite pen and highlight the wisdom on each page so that you can share it with someone you love (or with yourself again later as a gentle reminder).
Directions: This collection of short essays and quotes is easily consumed in one sitting, but you will find yourself returning to it again and again. This book is the gift that keeps on giving and one to share with anyone who is fighting loneliness and looking for inspiration, affirmation, and empathy.
Maggie Smith is an award-winning poet whose own experiences with loss, anxiety, depression and feelings of unworthiness inspired her to create this moving collection of insightful, thought provoking and encouraging pieces of writing, all tied together in one book. She encourages pausing and reflecting, and gives everyone permission to acknowledge their shortcomings and failures, validating those feelings, and seeing those as something we all share in common. Our foibles are to be embraced because from them we learn to forgive ourselves and others. This book is an absolute treasure for all of us who routinely see ourselves as “works in progress.” Rather than being trite or preachy, the author presents her thoughts on her journey in a “take it or leave it,” matter-of-factly sort of way that doesn’t feel contrived or new-agey at all. Rather it feels like a conversation with a trusted ally.
Here are two gems which I hope will encourage you to seek out this book and the joy it inspires:
“Be brave enough to ask for help when you need it. There is no merit badge for Doing All the Hard Things Alone. Reach out. Keep Moving.”
“Go easy on yourself today. If you feel a little weary, a little ragged, that’s okay; that’s how soul hangovers feel. This will pass. Keep Moving.”
Special Instructions:
This book is comfort food for the soul and that makes me think of pancakes. What better way to welcome autumn than with pumpkin spice pancakes?
From the website: “The air is cool and crisp, and the aroma of pumpkin spice pancakes cooking on the griddle is wonderful. I love all the Autumn smells—cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves! It’s the perfect start to a lazy and delicious day!”
This book is about letting go of limitations and hindrances and those voices in your head that keep you from being your badass, creative self. Let’s also let go of the notion that margaritas are only for Taco Tuesdays during the summertime.
From the website: “Why is it that so many cocktails are geared toward the summer? Maybe because it’s the time of relaxation and vacation. Here at Aspiring Winos, though, we’re all about versatility. That’s why we’re sharing this fall & Thanksgiving margarita recipe with flavors and colors perfect for when the autumnal vibes are setting the scenery on fire. For a fun twist, use colored salt or sugar on the rim. If you don’t want to make those on your own, plenty of craft and cooking shops have them!”
Refill: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781982132071
Julie Bond is a voracious reader with eclectic tastes running the gamut from YA lit, to psychological suspense, and anything dog-related, of course. You can find her haunting her favorite San Francisco Bay Area indie bookstores. Email her at ObsessiveBookFanatic@gmail.com
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