Since having my baby, I haven’t had the will to sit and read through any book.  That’s almost 7 months, folks!

With all the busyness and stress that comes with having an infant, plus 3 more kids, I couldn’t justify taking the time to sit and read – when there’s toys to be picked up, dishes to wash, carpet to vacuum, and clothes to launder (and dry and fold and maybe, gasp, iron).

So although I love reading, I had’t been doing it very much.  And when I was approached to possibly review a book, I was hesitant to accept.

But then I read the description:

“A celebration of the human spirit, Open Boxes is a collection of stories that doesn’t just tell readers – but shows readers – how to live fully and connect deeply by reveling in the sacred within our everyday lives. Through stories about everything from spirituality and parenting, self-acceptance and friendship, shopping at Old Navy and bowling with preschoolers, readers will be inspired to gently lift the lids off of their compartmentalized lives and tie together the torn and tattered pieces that lie inside in order to live more fully and connect more deeply with the people and world around them. Open Boxes is filled with stories of comfort, struggle, heartache, joy, insight, compassion, resilience, and redemption. Like a cup of coffee with a good friend, the stories will soothe and inspire, uplift and motivate, entertain and encourage.”

This part really caught my attention – “…readers will be inspired to gently lift the lids off of their compartmentalized lives…to live more fully and connect more deeply with the people and world around them.”

As a SAHM of 4, many times I feel closed in within my four walls.  And although I’m connected to almost everyone through social media, I still feel like I’m not connected to anyone at all.

So I took the leap and said yes, I would read the book.  And I’m so glad I did.

To be honest, in the beginning, I was kind of bored and struggled to read on.  I attribute this to the fact that I’m more used to reading fiction stories – where I can escape from this life into some other land more adventurous and exciting.  Also, there were a lot of analogies.  For me.  This mom barely has any neurons left, so too many analogies tend to distract me – just ask my husband.  He likes to use analogies to explain things, and I’m like, “What? What exactly do you mean?”

But once I got used to the way the author, Christine Organ, “talked,” I started to understand.  Once I started seeing the substance in her stories, I started seeing her life.  Most of all, I started to relate.

I found myself not wanting to stop reading.  I had to find out what else she went through and how she overcame things – and how she opened boxes and connected to others.

The book is divided into three important themes – GRACE, WONDER, and EVERYDAY MIRACLES.  To Christine, these are the integral pieces that help her to weave and tie together threads that allow her to live fully and connect deeply.

In this book, Christine shares her personal stories of failure, growing up, heartache, loss, epiphanies, finding herself, courage, and love.  Her stories helped me to realize that there are wonders and miracles for us to see everyday.  That I can choose to open boxes, lighten the load, and live.

I have some favorites in her book.  One was the chapter about “The Comparison Game.”  I’m sure I don’t have to explain to you what that is.  Chances are, you’ve played it.  Heck, I’m still playing it!  But she put to words that which I really needed to hear.

“The only thing the Comparison Game has ever given me is a nagging sense of lacking and separation from joy and what is real and true.  Like any sport, the Comparison Game can lead to injury and illness.  In this case, it’s the disease of dis-ease that thrives on the comparisons and never-enoughs and gotta-haves.”

You see, in this book, Christine keeps doing that – saying the words your heart has been wanting to shout out all along.  

Like in “Rose-Colored Glasses,” she tells how judgement and criticism like to masquerade as advice and opinions.

In “Stillness,” she encourages us to have the intentional effort to “turn off and tune in.”

And in “Star Stuff,” she inspires us to rethink how we perceive body images.

She shares stories about food, Valentine’s Day, prayer, her pet dog, marriage, loss, and so many others that everyone will be able to relate to even at least one of them.  I guarantee it.  Why?  Because her stories are about life.  And humanity.  And they uplift and inspire and, at the very least, make you question the way you’ve been living your life.

It did to me.  I’m sure it will to you too.

So grab your copy (at Amazon or Barnes and Noble), sit with your cuppa (or wine glass), let Christine help you open up those tight lids in your internal boxes, and dance.

Find out more about Christine Organ by visiting her website at ChristineOrgan.com.

*Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of the book, “Open Boxes” in exchange for this review.  However, the views and opinions about it are 100% entirely my own.  Also, the Amazon link to the book is an affiliate link, which means I will make a (very, very small) profit if you click it and buy the book.  I thank you in advance.