“Life can be tough and exhausting. Do you know how to rest?”
It is a good question, one that is at the core of Sophia Stuart’s really phenomenal new book, “How to Stay Sane in a Crazy World.” So, think about it. Do you? I don’t. Not really, I’ll admit it. I even pitter around to keep myself “busy” because I feel guilty about not having a full-time job. So I do much to over-compensate and often feel…tired.
Sophia gave a lot too. She had a truly impressive career in the media that included creating the digital strategy for 300 international brands such as Cosmo and Harper’s Bazaar at Hearst. She travelled the world, stayed in five star-hotels, and worked out of the legendary Carrie Donovan’s former office with a sprawling view high above Midtown Manhattan. But then, she became ill. Three tumors were found and removed from her throat during a five-and-a-half hour surgery. The recovery process was long and grueling.
Already, Sophia had reached outwards from her stressful life by creating teamgloria.com. There, she anonymously wrote through the guise of a character named “gloria,” a trainee angel who “was determined to see the world through rose-colored glasses” and the blog became dedicated to featuring “glorious people, places, and things.” After her surgery, Sophia realized how important the community she had created was to her well-being. As she healed, she also embraced the necessity to make some very important changes to her life and how she lives it. She now resides in Los Angeles and is expanding like a rocket in her initial dream of being a professional author, journalist and photographer.
I found teamgloria right after Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, having been moved by a comment at Daily Plate of Crazy and I was instantly hooked. I too was drawn to Gloria’s vision of the world as a calming counter-balance to our chaotic society. So it was with great excitement that I read the news that Sophia was planning a book, the very one that she wished that she had by her side during her recovery.
And now that I have it, I can say that it is absolutely beautiful. In my typical way, I nearly wrote that it is beautiful beyond belief, but in fact that is what I love about it so much – it is utterly, utterly believable. There is no hullabaloo. It is presented as a modern day Book of hours and is carved into three sections: “Inspiration” for the morning, “Perspiration” for the working period of the afternoon and for the wind-down of evening, “Exhalation.”
While each chapter is generously doted with Sophia’s glowing images, they are slightly different in their approach but each are truly…helpful. Because we all can use reminders on how to slow down, how to sit back and appreciate…but we don’t need a patronizing or sappy voice coaxing us to do so. Sophia’s advice, while often as simple as “Be silent at sunset” (one of my favorites) or as practical as “Book medical appointments in January” just…works and is often funny to boot. There are also wonderful lists teaching us how to make a Kindness Kit (who doesn’t need one of those?) and what films, music or books could do the right trick. Just to get us through, gracefully.
I read “How to Stay Sane in a Crazy World” all in one go (and if you buy it, you will want to as well) but now it sits nearby on my desk. It is just such a lovely object in itself that I want to keep it near me (and this, my friends, is why I would say no to the Kindle version). While I am down-loading photos or waiting for a computer program to warm up, I will open it randomly to bask in some seriously charming good will. And as Sophia is one of those brilliant women who are always two steps ahead (which probably explains a little about her previous career), she does something that I have never seen in a book before: she invites you to come to teamgloria.com and become a part of the community. To share your favorite treats and music. She wants to keep the conversation going. And that is a “glorious” thing. I’ll be there.
To read an extract from “How to Stay Sane in a Crazy World” please click: here.
To read more at teamgloria.com, please click: here.
To listen to a delightful and interesting radio interview with Sophia about the book, please click here.
To buy “How to Stay Sane in a Crazy World” from Amazon, please click here.
This post is my monthly contribution to the By Invitation Only International Blog Party, hosted by the indomitable Marsha at Splenderosa. The theme for March is “Ways to/ I stay creative.” Even before Sophia’s book had arrived (and trust me, I hunted down our French mail dude until it was in my hot little hands), I knew exactly what my answer would be: “With a little help from my friends.” I have been and am continually so deeply inspired by my friends in the blogging arena and by those that have put their research and gorgeous ideas into a solid form. Both require a generosity of spirit that is really stunning to behold. Sophia’s book is no exception. I recommend it not because I consider her a friend (and yes, there is a little mention to all the new friends that she has found, including one in Arles) but because such a sincere, big-hearted and yet grounded book “to soothe the soul” can do us all good.
Something for Sophia and perhaps gloria too:
I know that my fellow bloggers in By Invitation Only are going to hit this theme out of the park.
To visit their websites, please start by clicking here.
Thank you for reading…
Silke, I am so sorry to hear of your former illness and how it forced a tough change in the direction of your life. It is especially surprising as I had the great fortune to meet you this week in person (!!!) and I certainly would never have ever guessed of your previous suffering. And I agree it most certainly is a frustratingly taboo subject.
Remi has a saying "life is always right" and that makes me think of your final paragraph…Here is to wishing that you are right where you need to be for your "next"…may it be a wonderful one as that is truly what you deserve.
Gros, gros Bisous,
H
I can't remember if I commented… blame it on the sunshine… but i certainly ordered the book… 🙂
Thank you… xv
hello D and Heather
isn't the interweb magical?
so glad we found each others' places within it…
🙂
*wavingfromlosangeles*
_tg xx
gosh.
what a FANTASTIC set of people you have visiting you!
we are most humbly overwhelmed in happiness.
*wavingfromlosangeles*
_teamgloria xx
Isn't this beautiful in every sense… Your photos make me want to eat the book. And the words are priceless. xox, V
WHAT A STORY.I will look for it.XXX
Wow. First off, Heather, you soooo completely spoke for me in your first paragraph with your reflection on staying busy because you feel guilty about not having a full time job. Yup. That sounds familiar. To the point where I am so busy that I don't spend nearly enough time on what is supposed to be my full time job – painting. Hmmm.
This book looks amazing and I've already thought of about 5 or 6 friends who I will be giving a copy to. Thanks for the tip! (And I will resist the instant gratification of the Kindle download).
Hope you find some quiet in the crazy today! XOXO
A wonderful post Heather. Thank you for sharing Sophia's story and her book. This is right up my alley. I stocked up on books about "mindfulness" recently, in particular the writings of Thick Nhat Hanh. It has been quite a journey so far. You touched this off with Gary Jules..perfect! Thank you, thank you! Once again, we are on the same page, love that about you! xx PS..just noticed your Feedjit Widget…fascinating! 😉
Heather, what a brilliant take on our subject for March. A total home run and, of course, I'll order the book so I can really "understand." Cannot wait to receive it. And, for an Italian to be calm….that's difficult! Thank you for this lovely post, we all enjoyed it so much. Sorry so late to the party, lots of dental work today. xx's
Gloria is like the invisible good angel who is always available.
The Book of Hours is dear to my soul can be a guide and companion. Your wonderful review is a gift.
I love the Mad World of Gary Jules.
Thank you Heather.