FI MessiahLifeways UnscriptedMagazine Spring2025 - Flipbook - Page 22
WHAT WE’RE READING...
“ THE WOMEN” BY KRISTIN HANNAH
“THE POWER OF NOW”
BY ECKHART TOLLE
Recommended by: Jocilyn Erikson,
Messiah Village Resident
Who might be interested in this book: Those curious
Recommended by: Richie Gary, Messiah Lifeways’
Wellness Manager
about the war in Vietnam, the accompanying unrest
Who might be interested in this book: Anyone
in the U.S. during the ’60s, and the struggle women
seeking inner peace, enlightenment, or a deeper
faced to become something other than housewives
understanding of mindfulness, particularly
and mothers
those experiencing significant stress, anxiety,
The main character in this work of historical fiction is a
or dissatisfaction with their current life
young woman who wants to be a nurse and also wants
“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle is all about
her family to be as proud of her as they are of her
being present in the moment. The book teaches us
brother who volunteered to serve in Vietnam. Ultimately,
that our minds are often stuck in the past or the
she enlists to become an army nurse. Part of the story
future, which creates unnecessary stress and anxiety.
centers around her experiences and relationships
Tolle encourages readers to focus on the present,
developed during her deployment in Vietnam.
which is the only time that truly exists. He explains
Without judging, the author takes the main character
through the kinds of suffering that were realities in
the lives of both our military personnel and the native
how letting go of our attachments to thoughts, labels,
and identities can help us experience a deeper sense
of peace and contentment.
Vietnamese people. The people and events are at the
One of the key ideas shared in the book is to observe
same time warm, human, and realistic.
your thoughts without judgement, recognizing them
The main character, Frankie, returns home to a country
and family who don’t understand what she experienced.
The author excellently portrays the destructive power
as just mental events, not who you are. By doing this,
the author says we can break free from the constant
mental chatter and experience true mindfulness.
of trauma and the struggle to find meaning and stability
Reading this book, paired with practicing mindfulness
in the aftermath. This resulted in a compelling story
techniques like deep breathing and meditation, has
of a family who will not give up on their daughter and
had a big impact on me. It’s helped me slow down
friends who are willing to drop their own lives to help
and appreciate the moment instead of getting lost in
when a crisis occurs.
worries or distractions. I’ve become more aware of my
Through my reading, I was intrigued by the sensitive
handling of Frankie’s plight and her struggle to find
peace within herself after suffering in ways she was
not equipped to handle physically or emotionally.
thoughts and learned not to take them too seriously.
It’s also helped me feel more grounded, especially
when things get overwhelming, and I feel a lot
more at peace in my everyday life.
Furthermore, I took away many lessons from this time
in our nation’s history that are still relevant and can be
put into practice with those we encounter every day.
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