Pink Staff Picks

Laurie McCall, Client Concierge, picks:
Dismantling Taboo: A Story of Mental Illness and Hope by Natalee Whitesell
Natalee, a SC native, and I became friends in college. We all thought she was the coolest—and she truly was...still is. She strode around campus rocking hiking boots with cut-off jeans, a plaid flannel button down and a pearl necklace. She smoked cigarettes and loved Jesus, and we all wanted to be a little more like that. After college, she left for Uganda, Africa to become a missionary, fell in love, moved to Ireland and started a family. A couple years later she slipped into another world, a psychotic break from reality. Struggling with mental illness, she and her family moved back to Greenville, SC to seek treatment. This is her story. I love this woman’s heart. I love that she is willing to bare her soul for the world. If you or anyone you know has ever struggled with mental illness, you will love this story of FAITH, HOPE and HEALING. E-book available at http://dismantlingtaboo.com.

Meredith M. Deal, Regional Director, picks:
The Awe-Manac by Jill Badonsky
For those seeking a daily spark of creativity and self-expression I highly recommend Jill Badonsky’s book The Awe-Manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder. Based loosely on the Farmer’s Almanac, this book is written in a manual format designed to cultivate the mind’s possibilities, to let go of limited thinking and steer the reader towards a more confident and creative life. Jill has created key words and awesome ideas. My favorites are her “Daily Soul Vitamins”—quotes fortified with inspiration and higher perspectives, and what I consider to be an energizing thought: “Today, I get to…” This perspective is a marvelous tribute to gratitude. In writing down words in this exercise, it reminds me on any given day, there are so many things I actually get to do. Pick up Jill’s book to encourage and empower each day, make it meaningful, spark your ingenuity, and then run all over the place with your creative self!

Lindsay Jones (a.k.a. Little Lindsay), Graphic Designer, picks:
When Thought Turns to Light by Patrick Paul Garlinger
This book lays out a straightforward strategy to attain a more mindful, meaningful life. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of approaching happiness. Patrick Garlinger stresses that one’s journey is never truly over. He was once on a less mindful path himself, and effectively uses his experiences to relate to readers. When Thought Turns to Light is more of a loving guide to navigate us toward the right path instead of a “how-to” book. For those who truly want to live a richer, more abundant life free of hatred, judgment and fear, this book is the perfect guide. In the world we live in today, I believe this book will open the eyes of those who need or want more love in their life.

Elizabeth S. Millen, Owner/Publisher, picks:
You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
How can you not pick up a book that claims you are a badass? We all want to be a badass, don’t we? I’ll admit, I do. As if the bright yellow cover didn’t grab me, upon thumbing through the pages, I came across a quote on page 105 that lit a badass fire in me—“There’s nothing as unstoppable as a freight train full of f!#@-yeah.” Done. I closed the book and walked to the register. By the way, there is a chapter entitled: "Lead with your Crotch." I adore Sincero’s sense of humor—she cracks me up all while making valid, in-your-face points. This book is real and practical with no fluff. It’s the down and dirty of getting real with yourself, putting aside all your crap, excuses and half-hearted attempts to finally use The Force to kick some serious ass. Can I get an Amen?