The Gifts Of Change

by Nancy Christie

Overview

Change is an ever-present part of our personal and professional lives. It is not something to be tolerated, endured or adapted to. Rather, change is to be embraced, welcomed, and regarded as an opportunity to gain a new perspective. Like a plow that tills the soil, events and conditions (whether unexpected or planned) turn our lives inside out and upside down, and give us the chance to grow stronger. The Gifts of Change encourages readers to push beyond self-imposed boundaries, using the changes that come into their lives as a way to develop new abilities as well as find those that have lain dormant. The Gifts of Change will provoke thought, encourage reflection, and create an enhanced awareness in readers; and along the way it can ignite physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth.

Writer, essayist and entrepreneur, "change master" Nancy Christie uses her own experiences with change as a basis for her writing and workshops. Her work has appeared in Woman's Day, Better Homes & Gardens, Tai Chi Magazine and other publications, frequently focusing on identifying opportunities for personal development in everyday life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781582701196
Publisher:	Atria Books/Beyond Words
Publication date:	08/28/2004
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Nancy Christie is an award-winning author of eight books including two novels: Reinventing Rita and Finding Fran; three short story collections: Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories, Peripheral Visions and Other Stories, and Mistletoe Magic and Other Holiday Tales; the inspirational essay collection The Gifts of Change; and two books for writers: Rut-Busting Book for Writers, and Rut-Busting Book for Authors.

Her fourth short story collection, The Language of Love and Other Stories, and her third novel, Moving Maggie, are forthcoming in 2025.

Her short stories have appeared in numerous literary publications, including The Saturday Evening Post, CommuterLit, Ariel Chart, One Person’s Trash, Two Cities Review, Talking River, Edify Fiction, The Chaffin Journal, and Down in the Dirt, with several earning contest placements. A member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Florida Writers Association, Nancy teaches writing workshops at conferences, libraries, and schools. She is also the host of the Living the Writing Life podcast and the founder of the annual “Midlife Moxie” Day and “Celebrate Short Fiction” Day. Visit her website at NancyChristie.com.

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgements	ix
	Introduction	xi
Part I.	Inviting Change
1.	Weaving Our Tapestry	3
2.	Exploring Our Possibilities	11
3.	Betsy's Boots	19
4.	Keeping Faith	25
5.	The Cup without the Chip	31
6.	In the Moment	39
Part II.	In the Midst of Change
7.	Taking the First Step	49
8.	The Act of Mindful Choosing	55
9.	The Mouth of the Tiger	63
10.	Yoga Stork Pose	69
11.	One Thing at a Time	77
12.	The Wings of Change	85
13.	Flexing Your Adaptability Muscle	91
Part III.	Moving Forward
14.	The Pantry of the Soul	101
15.	The Hidden Advantage of Hindrances	109
16.	Letting Go of Illusions	117
17.	The Danger of "Excessive Obligations"	123
18.	Planting a Garden	131
	Notes	139
	Resource List/Suggested Reading	145

Editorial Reviews

Thanks to Nancy Christie’s wisdom and the stories that live among the pages of her book, I’m actually beginning to see glimmers of the growth, fun, and fulfillment that may very well be waiting for me beyond this turn in the path.
—Sue Patton Thoele, author of The Courage to Be Yourself, The Woman's Book of Soul, and Growing Hope

As a wellness and life coach, I am always looking for gems to pass on to my clients to help them make positive changes in their lives. The Gifts of Change is just such a gem because it shows us how to embrace change and discover all the wonderful possibilities that lie beneath our fear of the unfamiliar.
—Gloria Silverio, licensed corporate wellness coach/life coach

Nancy Christie writes like the wise friend that everyone needs. Her insights will do you much good.
—Rena Pederson, author of What's Next? and What's Missing?

In The Gifts of Change, Nancy Christie brings us to the simple but powerful opportunities we have each day to look differently at our lives and relationships.
—Meredith Young-Sowers, DDiv, author of Wisdom Bowls

From the Publisher