I’m thrilled to announce that the print AND Kindle editions of Blooming into Mindfulness: How the Universe Used a Garden, Cancer, and Carpools to Teach Me That Calm Is the New Happy are for sale on Amazon!
I’m humbled by the lovely reviews that have come in so far. Here are just a few. . .
Blooming into Mindfulness is impressively well written and exceptionally well organized and presented from beginning to end. … [A]n extraordinary, compelling, and life-changing read — especially for those who are seeking internal peace for themselves as well as those around them. ~ Midwest Book Review
“Brettschneider turns life experiences surrounding her mastectomy into a delightful and interesting read chock full of humor, honesty, emotion, and wisdom. Her similes and cultural references create distinct pictures that will cement the ideas into your mind. ‘Weeding became more than weeding,’ she writes. ‘I discovered myself clawing and stabbing at the earth with my trowel, gritting my teeth as I unearthed the roots of invasive, unwanted plants like so many cancer cells.’ Pure gold.”
— Janet Sheppard Kelleher, Amazon Best Selling Author of Big C, little ta-ta: Kicking Cancer’s Butt in 7 Humorous Stories
“If you’ve ever dreamed of living a calmer, happier and more creative life, but felt clueless about how to make it happen, you’ll be inspired by Martha’s transformational journey from being a busy working mom, to being forced to face the trauma of breast cancer, to awakening into the precious practice of mindfulness. This book should be on every woman’s bookshelf. It will crack you open to the possibility of finding healing, humour and wisdom regardless of your circumstances. Martha’s story demonstrates that when you train yourself to be more mindful, you start living from your heart and life becomes not only joyful, but limitless!”
— Mia Rose, Psychologist, Award Winning Entrepreneur and Author, Founder of the Soulwoman Sanctuary
“I loved the humor and self reflection in this well-written memoir! Brettschneider takes us on a very relatable journey of home, hearth, career and WHAT’S NEXT? As she handles the curves thrown at her, she moves from a place of doing and striving to a place of acceptance and being. I loved the way she compared this process to the work in a garden. Looking for more contentment and calm in your life? This book is for you!”
— Anna Whiston Donaldson, New York Times Best Selling Author of Rare Bird: A Memoir of Loss and Love
In Blooming into Mindfulness, Martha Brettschneider takes us along on her rollercoaster ride from left-brain economist, to reluctant suburbanite complete with minivan carpool, through breast cancer, and ultimately to transformation into the mindfulness she didn’t know she was seeking. Instead of being just another tale of how surviving cancer changed one woman’s life, this eloquent memoir gives the reader a roadmap for taking our own path toward finding a more joyous life. The story is universal, but the author’s expressive writing made it relevant to my own journey. I found myself highlighting large passages and stopping often to search the links to the mentors and resources the author includes. I am typically not a fan of memoir, but this excellent book goes far beyond one woman’s story to become a study in the blossoming of self-awareness that’s well worth reading – and rereading.
— Carol M. Olmstead, Feng Shui Master Practitioner, author, speaker, and owner of Feng Shui For Real Life
“BLOOMING INTO MINDFULNESS is a warm and wonderful story from Martha’s own life. Her words fill my senses and her images lead me out into my own [very weedy] garden for a closer look for hidden wonders. I can smell and feel the clammy rain-soaked earth as she tries to finish a night-time planting in the rain with ‘swamp monster paws’. Her wry sense of humour and willingness to share her vulnerabilities connects me to her journey, and I feel lighter for it. Thank you so much for sharing yourself. I love the book and will definitely be buying extra copies for girlfriends’ birthday gifts this year.”
—Melanie Mayell, Photographer, Artist & Author, Winner of 2014 Living Now Book Awards Gold Medal, Founder of Thankyou Project
“There is truly so much to love about Martha Brettschneider’s Blooming into Mindfulness. Martha grows her story in 3 parts, guiding her reader with an honest, straightforward telling of her transformational journey—moving, as she describes it, from her pre-awareness ‘dormant’ state; to being ‘pruned’ through cancer; to ‘blossoming’ into a mindfulness-practicing, ‘net positive’ energy-producing life. Martha’s method of sharing her story allows even non-gardening readers to join her along the path, gathering seeds for nurturing a mindfulness practice for themselves. I highly recommend Martha’s memoir. Whether you take up the spade yourself or choose to grow your own ‘presence power’ through another passion, the experience of Martha’s story can help guide your journey.”
— Carolyn Bagdoyan, RYT 200, LFYP, Heart Tree Yoga
“I simply loved this book. Martha is a gifted writer who brings to life her story of being an overworked, unhappy economist to finding a more balanced, peaceful life through mindfulness and other wellness-nurturing practices. Martha’s skillful storytelling carried me through her cancer experience and subsequent transformational journey, leaving nuggets of wisdom and authenticity insights along the way. This is a must read for anyone wanting to create change and be more present in their lives.”
— Wendy Sherwin Swire, MA, PCC, Co-author of Anytime Coaching: Unleashing Employee Performance
“Prepare to be delighted. This book is a gem. Blooming into Mindfulness is a personal account of one women’s journey from high-powered economist to suburban mom, gardener, and mindfulness author. It’s also an inspirational story celebrating one women’s triumph over cancer. But much more than that, at least for me, it’s a wake-up call to live life with meaning and purpose. It’s a blueprint on how we can all turn our everyday lives into something quite magical. It’s filled with self-deprecating humor, wit, and wisdom. Highly recommended.”
— Bill Apablasa, author of TheOther999Rooms blog and owner of Sherpa9Media
