Waking Up to Feeling

"""Alexandra Cabot has written a brave and beautiful memoir about her ""expressive journey of intentional healing."" Each of those four principle words matter. ""Expressive"" references the power of the expressive arts, including deep journaling and writing practices. ""Journey"" references Alexandra's life-long quest. ""Intentional Healing"" tells us this is a journey undertaken with the intention to move toward wholeness and the true self. I love this memoir for its freshness, its candor, and its open-hearted wonder at the precious lives we are given and what we each make of this gift."" Michael Lerner Cofounder, Commonweal ""Alexandra writes with glorious freedom, braiding past and present with ease. She's a life-detective, hunting for meaning through a myriad of experiences, and bringing us along for the ride. As she moves naturally through memory and contemplation and back again, questions get asked, and some even answered. What has really worked? What has proved important? What does she know now that she didn't at the beginning? Certain solid truths emerge -- never empty theories but lived realizations that make the difference between a life unexamined and one that keeps the lights up high. We visit childhood, adolescence, marriages, family, professions and friendships. Everything makes a difference. Everything is looked at closely in the most human of terms. And, most delightfully, you feel throughout that you are with one of your best friends, sitting in her comfortable living room, the fire going, and a tray of good coffee and snacks laid out before you. Keep this book by your side and you'll have a companion who doesn't claim to have everything figured out, but who will never stop looking for the meaning of it all."" Marta Szabo Author of The Guru Looked Good ""In this beautifully written and intimate memoir, Alexandra untangles the life-long impact of love given and love withheld, battles with eczema and chronic illness, and the misguided decisions made over a lifetime. Specifically related to living with eczema, she gives voice to the completely life-altering disease that is still woefully misunderstood. She is by all accounts a woman warrior to have battled the incessant itch 24/7, along with the painful, red, inflamed skin, throughout her life. Woven throughout is a profound search for wholeness, especially as a mother. One of the powerful messages of this book is that it's never too late! It's never too late to come to know your own worthiness, to share your truth, to forgive mistakes, and live in compassion and empathy-often by simply noticing-with no analyzing or judgement. Lessons for all. It has led her to a spiritual acceptance that is honest and allows much grace for herself and others. Her crazy deep love for children, her children and grandchildren in particular, is a true wonder and inspiration. Her story is a gift to us all."" Julie Block President & CEO National Eczema Association"