A journal-calendar-organizer that offers inspiration, too

   SANTA FE - Nearly a decade ago I spotted a to-do list/organizer on the desk of author and educator Karin Lubin.
     It divided every day into four categories. What her exact categories were are long lost in my memory.
     But I borrowed the idea.
     With the help of Adm. Sylvia Fox we created small bound notebooks following the same theme.
     In my case the four categories are Priority, Phone/Emails/Letters, Writing & Projects and Other.

     Other, as you might guess, is damn near anything, but written down so it doesn't get forgotten.
     Saturday's added entry to Other was 'fix headlight on the Prius - soon!'
     Today Lubin is launching a new, sophisticated book that goes way beyond any simple to do list,  It's titled My Life Through the Seasons, A Wisdom Journal and Planner and adds all kinds of prompts for creativity, organization and thought to the normal dates, times and places you might expect.
     And while it can be used in regular paper book format, one of the most intriguing aspects of My Life Through the Seasons is the ability to use an online version. The online version is a digital version with clickable links for websites and emails.
     This is definitely not an At-A-Glance planner designed to make you more productive and on time. It seems more a guide to peaceful life with nature factored in. All organized, too, of course.
     "This Wisdom Journal and Planner can transform your life and place in the world," Lubin says in the beginning of the book. "I'm not kidding. It recognizes and existential imbalance within us and within the world."
     The book drew high pre-publication praise from a number of people including Kitty Fallon, a professional counselor and life coach:
     "Over the years, I have used a variety of structured planners in my attempts to balance my work and personal priorities. Most planners I have used focus more heavily on either work or personal goals. My Life Through the Seasons changes that," Fallon said.
     My Life Through the Seasons, A Wisdom Journal and Planner is available through Amazon.com and a fillable PDF version at this site: https://www.seasonalwisdomjournal.com.
    You can also contact Dr. Karen Lubin directly at info@seasonalwisdomjournal.com.

'Food for the journey' a book that feeds the soul

   POINT RICHMOND, Calif. - Joseph B. Lynch's latest book, Food for the Journey, Essays on What I Have Learned along the Way, delivers plenty of sustenance for the soul.
     But before I launch a laudatory review of this fascinating book, a disclosure: Joseph Lynch is a friend - and my brother-in-law.
     Because of those two things, at first I didn't think I would write a full review. A squib on Amazon, perhaps. Conflicts of interest are rife in the journalism business where I hang my professional hat.
     But as I read through the book I kept discovering more and more revelatory stories, concepts and thinking I wanted to encourage people to sample.
     It's an amazing compendium.
     I've written many hundreds of book reviews over the decades. Some were of best sellers, many of lesser known authors. But this is my first review of book that blends religion, personal experience and scripture so neatly and inspirationally.
     If inspirationally caught you by surprise, read the second sentence again. I did say laudatory.
     The book's preface and introduction are key to understanding why the book appears now. This book was written by someone who has read entire libraries, it seems.
     It's a spiritual memoir, but contains many of the trademarks of regular memoirs. There are details about his growing up, education, family, emotional growth and, of course, a life of spiritual practice.
     Perhaps most impressive is the intensive level of research and connection among people and ideas Joe makes throughout the entire book. (He is my brother-in-law, so I can call him Joe in a review. No need to call him Lynch.)
      Joe cites experts across a wide range of philosophy, psychology, history, science and theology delving deeply into explaining things in a comforting, non-judgmental fashion.
     After reading the book over several days, the word comforting jumps to the front of line when I have to find a single word to describe it.
     Food for the Journey, Essays on What I Have Learned along the Way, can be read straight through like any book. But it also can be sampled.
     Be prepared, however, to read a chapter and need to put the book down while you ponder what you read and how it applies directly to your life.
     In my reading, out of the book's 16 chapters, that happened about, oh, 15 times.
     Food for the Journey, Essays on What I Have Learned along the Way has a quote from Francis Bacon in the postscript at the end of the book. A printed copy of Bacon's words now hangs on my bulletin board at eye level where I am writing now.

"Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man."

     Reading Food for the Journey, Essays on What I Have Learned along the Way is a good start on that path.

--- Michael J. Fitzgerald