Funny how certain things come to you at the right time. This little book, Midlife Magic: Becoming the Person You are Inside has been one of those things.
When I first started blogging with Wordpress.com I came across http://midlifecrisisqueen.com. It was a blog I had an instant affinity with. The honesty of the writer of the blog, the revelations about herself, her ability to translate her own ups and downs into information that helps others I found both touching and enriching.
The blog’s writer, Laura Lee Carter has recently released ‘Midlife Magic: Becoming the Person You are Inside.’ Here she puts a hell of lot into a little book. In a narrative style Laura shares her world, during the turbulent time of her marriage breakup, job loss, and health issues. However she doesn’t share it in a ‘doom gloom, feel sorry for me way.’ Nor does she share it from the philosophical perspective of ‘we must hit brick walls to move on.’ Instead she tells her story as she lived it and what she learned and how she changed through the process. Thoughts, quotes, revelations, and an enormous amount of hope and determination to hang onto, to guide us through our own tough times.
This month is a tough one for me (another post perhaps), but to add to it all, yesterday the charity that I work for casually, decided to cut costs. My position, the only casual one in my department was one of the ones to go. As I picked up Laura Lee Carter’s Midlife Magic and browsed its pages, every page threw a message my way.
Midlife Magic, is a book like that - bits of magic on every page.
phd in yogurtry
Sounds like an excellent book. Will check out her blog. thanks for suggesting both. I’m always looking for good resources for those struggling with midlife issues, including me. Very sorry your job was cut. Sadly, I think we will see more of this as the global economy continues to suffer.
Feb 18, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
Laura Lee Carter
Thank you for the lovely words and sentiments about my book.
I truly put all of myself and my experiences into this book in hopes that it would be helpful to others stuck in midlife hell.
So sorry to hear of your job loss! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Did you see my little spot on local TV recently? There I spoke about job loss and the opportunities it can open up to us. Eyes on the prize! What do you want to do next?
Feb 19, 2009 @ 12:52 am
Recent Book Reviews « Midlife Crisis Queen: The Weblog
[...] also took the time to write a more complete review on her own blog today. Go see her cool blog: HotMiddlescence.com Brigit just lost one of her job so she definitely feels our [...]
Feb 19, 2009 @ 1:39 am
Mary Carlson
Hi, I read Laura Lee’s info about you, and came to your blog. I live in Fort Collins, and Laura Lee is a friend. Her book is terrific! Since we are all contemporaries, I will mark your blog.
Well done,
Mary
Feb 19, 2009 @ 2:23 am
Laura
Thanks for the pointer on the book.
Sorry about losing position. Sometimes it’s nice to not need to stretch ourselves and see new possibilities, but to stay in the same ole. All the best.
Feb 19, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Joanne
Thanks for sharing Laura Lee Carter’s book here. I love when an author so generously shares her life and lessons for all of us to learn from. Looks like lots of good stuff here. So sorry about your job, though. It seems everyone is cutting back. Do you have any plans, or ideas for lining something else up? Hoping all goes well.
Feb 20, 2009 @ 1:11 am
Pseudo
I’m so sorry about your job. I hope it is the door closing that opens the window of opportunity for you.
Feb 22, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
brigit
phd in yogurtry - I hope you enjoy the site, midlife crisis queen. I’m glad I could introduce you to a new one. My job loss was a bit of a shock to the system. I have to work on the “less is more” thing.
Laura Lee Carter - I’m working on a little project. Another blog/website. Hopefully it will eventually make a little money, and give me something to do that I think I will quite enjoy. I’ll keep you posted.
Mary Carlson - Laura Lee’s book is a great little book, with big insight. Thanks for visiting. Hope you come back. I’m looking forward to a more thorough look at your blog. I had a quick visit, but I’d like to spend more time there.
Laura - Yes, its time some of us got out of the same ole :).
But it’s always scary, especially when it’s not planned. After working 7 days a week for the last year, it’s definitely time.
Joanne - Laura Lee’s book is well worth a read. At the moment when I feel scared, (financially, I’m not in a good position) there are pages in her book that help redirect my thoughts. At least now I have some greater stretches of time to work on my next web site, that maybe will even make a quid or two.
Pseudo - I’m definitely seeing this job loss as a window of opportunity.
Feb 24, 2009 @ 9:46 am