For too long, we’ve been participating in “hustle culture” which says if we’re not moving and achieving, we’re not enough. Sometimes, the only way to release ourselves from this exhausting feedback loop is to take a break from work. Sabbaticals provide time and space for a reset and can give us energy to launch something new, adjust priorities, or rediscover passions. Most people would love to take an extended sabbatical, but the truth is, you probably haven’t made a plan to address fears that arise the moment you step away from full-time work. Informed by case studies and personal experience, The Art of the Sabbatical tackles questions like: --How will I afford this? --What will my family or colleagues think of me, and how do I create a support system? --How do I get the most out of my sabbatical? --How do I return to the workforce and communicate with future employers? You can have a transformational work break, whether it’s something you’ve been dreaming about for months, or it sprung up as something unplanned or out of your control. This illuminating guidebook is filled with thoughtful insights and journal prompts which will give you the courage and resources to design your life-changing sabbatical.

How can you use adversity in your life to propel you to success? It's impossible to make it through life unscathed from trauma or adversity. Not facing these experiences directly often creates dysfunctional coping mechanisms which can lead to burnout or roadblocks for even the most successful people. Filled with stories of modern women who made changes to live more in sync with their purpose and passions, The Resiliency Effect includes actionable advice and exercises, as well as chapters dedicated to realizing common dreams such as how to change careers, take a sabbatical, or start a business. This book will teach you to embrace and overcome adversity so you too can live your biggest dreams. You'll also learn how to determine what habits and coping strategies are blocking you from success and to take tangible steps to make lasting changes in your life.

The Art of Transition guides you through strategic processing, utilizing both logic (left-brain engagement) exercises, and creative brain integration (right-brain engagement) through simple but effective art and movement exercises. How do we approach transition-especially difficult and often unwanted transitions-with our whole selves, not just our often spinning and frantic "mind"? How do we fully engage, embrace and receive from this unique season what is vital to learn? This whole-person integrated approach is not only unique, but it is based in solid research and helps give relief to the all-to-familiar ruts of heavy cognitive processing we find ourselves in during the stress of transition, that bring with it anxiety and such limited awareness. Through 6 main themes of transition, utilizing more than 35 holistic process tools-Movement tools, getting Unstuck tools, and Transition tools-you will find yourself with ample resources for creatively navigating your transition season! This resource guide can be utilized individually as a self- guided practice, or as a companion to the Art of Transition workshop experience, or 2-Day Life Planning process with your transition coach. "Transition is a grand pause inviting us to discover once again if we are living into our unique purpose the great Creator designed us for."

Learn the art of thread painting from Instagram sensation Michelle Staub Cats and dogs seem to always have a paw planted firmly in our hearts. Capture the life in their eyes and the texture of their fur with a unique embroidered pet portrait! Insta-famous artist Michelle Staub puts a modern spin on thread painting with her easy-to-learn approach. Get started with 4 basic embroidery stitches, and follow the detailed tutorials to hone your skills. Capture awe-inspiring details of your pet with lessons in full-color thread painting or go clean with a simple line drawing—the choice is yours. Learn to personalize your art piece with names, dates, and decorative accents. With 20 sample patterns to customize, you can easily recreate any breed! Paint stunningly realistic pet portraits with just a needle and thread Try your hand at two styles—minimal outlines and incredible full-color renderings Make it modern with floral garlands, personalized banners, and crisp lettering Start today with 4 easy stitches and 20 customizable projects

Dr. Owen Whitfield is the elderly Oxford professor of history who first appeared in Michael O''Brien''s novel The Father''s Tale. In the events of The Sabbatical, which occur sometime later, Dr. Whitfield is looking forward to a sabbatical year of peace and quiet, gardening in his backyard, and tinkering with what he calls his latest "unpublishable book". As the year begins, he is drawn by a series of seeming coincidences into involvement with a group of characters from across Europe, including a family that has been the target of assassination attempts by unknown powers. During his journey to Romania, the situation in which he finds himself becomes more sinister than it first seemed. The story deals with the tension between fatalism and the providential understanding of history, with the courage and love that are necessary for navigating through a confusion of signs, and with the triumph of faith and reason over the forces of destruction.

In this “little gem” (Washington Independent Review of Books), Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist and New York Times bestselling author Dave Barry learns how to age happily from his old but joyful dog, Lucy. As Dave Barry turns seventy—not happily—he realizes that his dog, Lucy, is dealing with old age far better than he is. She has more friends, fewer worries, and way more fun. So Dave decides to figure out how Lucy manages to stay so happy, to see if he can make his own life happier by doing the things she does (except for drinking from the toilet). He reconnects with old friends and tries to make new ones—which turns out to be a struggle, because Lucy likes people a lot more than he does. And he gets back in touch with two ridiculous but fun groups from his past: the Lawn Rangers, a group of guys who march in parades pushing lawnmowers and twirling brooms (alcohol is involved), and the Rock Bottom Remainders, the world’s oldest and least-talented all-author band. With each new lesson, Dave riffs hilariously on dogs, people, and life in general, while also pondering Deep Questions, such as when it’s okay to lie. (Answer: when scallops are involved.) Lessons From Lucy shows readers a new side to Dave Barry that’s “touching and sentimental, but there’s still a laugh on every page” (The Sacramento Bee). The master humorist has written a witty and affable guide to joyous living at any age.

Acclaimed designers Sagmeister & Walsh explore the essence of beauty and the transformative power of beautiful design In this groundbreaking highly visual book, world-renowned designers Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh set out on a mission: to find out what beauty is and the many ways that it impacts our lives. They turn to philosophy, history, and science to understand why we are drawn to beauty and how it influences the way we feel and behave. Determined to translate their findings into action, Sagmeister & Walsh show us how beauty can improve the world.

This coloring book was created for academics who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the academy. Had an unproductive meeting? A failed experiment? A journal or grant rejection? Instead of sending that too long and possibly unprofessional email, color your stress away. With asymmetrical and symmetrical pages that are interesting, manageable, and reflective of the unpredictable nature of academia, Sabbatical gives academics permission to be creative and to press pause in a world that rarely stops.

In a time of social distancing and isolation, a meditation on the beauty of solitude from renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor “Whatever a soul is, the author goes a long way toward soothing it. A very welcome instance of philosophy that can help readers live a good life.”—Kirkus Reviews “Elegant and formally ingenious.”—Geoff Wisner, Wall Street Journal When world renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor turned sixty, he took a sabbatical from his teaching and turned his attention to solitude, a practice integral to the meditative traditions he has long studied and taught. He aimed to venture more deeply into solitude, discovering its full extent and depth. This beautiful literary collage documents his multifaceted explorations. Spending time in remote places, appreciating and making art, practicing meditation and participating in retreats, drinking peyote and ayahuasca, and training himself to keep an open, questioning mind have all contributed to Batchelor’s ability to be simultaneously alone and at ease. Mixed in with his personal narrative are inspiring stories from solitude’s devoted practitioners, from the Buddha to Montaigne, from Vermeer to Agnes Martin. In a hyperconnected world that is at the same time plagued by social isolation, this book shows how to enjoy the inescapable solitude that is at the heart of human life.

More Americans are choosing to take time off from work to relax or re-examine their priorities, so they can return to work energized. Some companies offer formal sabbatical programs, but how can the average person take time off to evaluate their direction, explore their passions, and make time for the things that are really important? Whether you're disillusioned with your career, yearning to follow a dream, or taking time out after a layoff, now is the time to step back and reboot. This book will show you how you can give yourself the best gift ever-—the gift of time. People who take sabbaticals report feeling happier, and they return to their jobs refreshed, reinvigorated, and ready to tackle new challenges. Reboot Your Life draws upon the experiences of the four authors and their interview subjects: 200 people who have taken sabbaticals and 150 organizations offering sabbatical programs. The book includes real-life stories and exercises to help the reader figure out how to plan for and take a sabbatical, or how to use unexpected time off.