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This Messy Magnificent Life
Book

This Messy Magnificent Life

A Field Guide

Scribner, 2018 more...

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Eye Opening
  • Engaging
  • Inspiring

Recommendation

Educator and eating disorder expert Geneen Roth’s deeply personal essays illuminate the possibility of being free from the endless chatter of the mind and its narratives of pain, humiliation, anger and suffering. Roth suffered life-altering setbacks and used their lessons to start the “drop the Me Project," ending the practice of constantly focusing on self-improvement. Her essays speak to those who want to focus on their lives and success and not on negative inner voices.

Summary

Daily Life Is Full of Beauty

You don’t need to keep thinking something is wrong with you. Be comfortable with who you are, as you are. Let yourself feel all that you feel, but without having to act on every feeling. Reflect on your emotions without accepting the worry, loneliness and lack of self-esteem they sometimes breed. Living with a constant sense of having to be better is a form of suffering. Daily life is full of beauty. Relinquish the dramatic narratives of the past and "drop the me" so you can turn to the “peace and quiet joy” that are always present.

Issues with Food Aren’t About Food

Many people believe their problems will disappear if they lose five, 15 or 50 pounds. But after every diet, even when they do lose weight, pain and difficulties remain. Food isn’t the problem. Avoiding pain is the basis of any addiction. As long as the root pain remains, so will addiction to food, money, sex, alcohol or anything else. Addictive behavior and its ramifications destroy you but also serve you by distracting you from real pain. These behaviors provide a problem – something to focus...

About the Author

New York Times best-selling educator Geneen Roth teaches writing workshops about personal growth and speaks nationally, including on 20/20 and the Today Show.


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