“Open Boxes” – a Book Review

I recently had the pleasure and honor of reading a complimentary copy of Christine Organ’s book “Open Boxes”. There was something about this book that made me read it from cover to cover in just a few days, and that’s coming from a mother of four who works full time and writes on her blog at night. I normally don’t have the time to leisurely read a book just for pleasure, but this one was different. It begged to be read, it spoke to me.

From reading the cover, I knew that Christine Organ’s everyday stories would show how life lessons, beliefs and values matter. She would make the reader realize how we all have opportunities throughout our day to make impactful differences in other people’s lives. She did exactly that – and so much more.

Christine is relatable, she’s real and incredibly well-spoken. She writes her stories as if you are sitting together at Starbucks sharing a few child-free hours and talking about all the things that matter to moms, women, friends, relatives, or simply HUMANS everywhere.

The term “open boxes” refers to the way our lives are compartmentalized. The different facets of our life is stuffed in to perfect little boxes; people, passions, worries and hobbies are kept at a safe distance from each other. Our lives can be compared to a toddler’s dinner plate, where the veggies are miles apart from the starch, and the meat is definitely kept segregated from everything else.

Christine Organ, through her philosophical insights and references urges the readers to step out of their comfort zones, dig deep and open up. She wants us to break down the barriers that are keeping us from living fully. Throughout Christine’s book she shows us time and time again that by opening each and every one of our boxes we will live a more meaningful, mindful and complete life. Our lives don’t have to be so compartmentalized.

There is one story in particular that spoke to me in the book. She addressed mindfulness, which is something so very important in my life. I have written about my own eye opening experience of when one of our boys was critically sick, and at a pivotal time the hospital chaplain forever changed me.

In “Open Boxes”she talks about mindfulness during everyday tasks, such as doing the dishes. Christine touches on the fact that mindfulness is not synonymous with enjoyment. We should be aware of our surroundings, live life with all senses activated, going through our life’s journey taking in all the experiences and learning from them. But as she points out: being mindful is not the same as saying “you must enjoy every moment” – because we all know that is simply not possible. Next time you are doing a mundane task, try to step out of the negative thoughts and be aware of your actions – live in the now.

I love how she acknowledges the thoughts and feelings you are thinking throughout the book, as if she reads your mind. Then she validates you and shows how you can take those feelings and turn them into positive ways to live your life with greater awareness, grace, love and happiness.

“Open Boxes” is a must-read for women with kids, without kids, who work in an office, who stay at home… she speaks to us all. She speaks our language and helps us live our lives gracefully and completely.

For more information about the author Christine Organ, go to her website, follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Get your own copy of “Open Boxes” from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

How do you recover when your life feels fragmented and you struggle to juggle?

Check out my other book reviews:

“My Other Ex”

“Lose the Cape”