Fountaindale Public Library

Phosphorescence, a memoir of finding joy when your world goes dark, Julia Baird

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 261-288)

autobiography

no index present

non fiction

Phosphorescence

bibliography

1221016914

Julia Baird

a memoir of finding joy when your world goes dark

"After surviving a difficult heartbreak and battle with cancer, Julia Baird began to explore how she and others persevere through the most challenging circumstances life throws at us. She asks: when our world goes dark, when we are overwhelmed by illness or heartbreak, loss or pain, tragedy outside our control, how do we survive, stay alive and even bloom? She went in search of "the magic that will sustain us and fuel the light within - our own phosphorescence ". Phosphorescence can be found in nature - in glow worms, fireflies, flashlight fish, bioluminescent oceans; it is a phenomenon that allows creatures to give off light amidst darkness. Baird writes about the things that lit her way through the darkness: a connection to nature, friendships, her faith, experiencing awe, and other habits that changed her life. She also goes in search of how others nurture their inner light, interviewing the founder of the modern forest therapy movement in Tokyo, a jellyfish scientist in Tasmania, and a tattooed priest from Colorado, among others. Weaving together candid memoir with research and reflections on nature, Baird inspires readers to embrace new habits and adopt a phosphorescent outlook on life, to illuminate our days even in the darkest times"--, Provided by publisher

Prelude. A light within -- Part I. Awe, wonder, and silence. In the company of the mysterious: on forest therapy -- Lessons from a cuttlefish -- "A better show outside" -- The overview effect -- Nature deficit disorder: on biophilia -- Why we need silence -- Part II. We are all wiggly. Why we need to tell our imperfect stories -- The activist's attic -- Honor the temporary -- Accept imperfection -- Let yourself go -- Letter to a young woman -- Part III. Walking each other home. The art of friendship: "I am here" -- Freudenfreude: sharing the joy -- She trashed her golden locks -- Burning bright: candy royalle -- Part IV. Invincible summer. Regarde: look, and savor -- Thoughts for my son: the art of savoring -- Ert, or a sense of purpose -- Growing by the light of the moon -- Lessons on hope from the Hanoi Hilton -- Raiding the unspeakable -- Embracing doubt -- Coda. Floating in the bardo

adult