“One of the most powerful things I’ve ever read. It describes exactly how I felt about the world before the pandemic, the stress that we were living with and how this enforced pause has allowed a unique chance to evaluate our lives. A revelation.” – one reader’s review of my new book ‘We Are in This Together’, which has just been released
After many hours sitting at my writing desk working on my new book a few weeks ago, I went for a walk in a conservation area near my home. I have been there many times and have a favourite route, which takes me over a bridge and past a pond, where I like to watch for ducks and water boatmen.
That afternoon, for the first time, I noticed a narrow turnoff leading to a small wood. Beyond a short corridor of green the path forked into three. Just at the point where it diverged was a fallen tree, split vertically, perhaps by lightning, into three perfectly equal parts. Each of the three shards of the trunk had fallen so precisely that one-third lay directly across each of the three forks of the path. Every visible route forward was blocked.
The vibrant young leaves clinging to the branches told me this was a recent, sudden event, although we haven’t had a storm in weeks. As I was pondering the mystery of this, a butterfly flitted past and pulled my gaze to the right. There was no path there, only long grass leading round the back of the copse, but it was passable.
I studied the scene, moved by how this felt like some kind of living metaphor for what is going on right now, and how we are being called to accept that the tree has fallen, and the path we know is blocked in every direction. Yet there is a way round and beyond if only we are prepared to change course and follow the butterfly.
There are so many stories in myth of going into the forest, and there is something distinctly mythical about what is going on now. The point is not to clear the felled tree and patch up the damaged pathways. It’s to forge a new path.
The time to start pondering what lies beyond is not when we get there, but now, as we step into the long grass. Because the sooner we start influencing that trajectory with our own actions, the sooner and further the trajectory shifts.
This is our chance to reimagine what could be, and ready ourselves for a cleaner, more conscious inhalation as we step forward into whatever follows all this.
But reimagining is not always easy, especially when we are being pulled in many directions, weighed down by uncertainty and unsure of what the rest of the world will do next. That’s why I wrote We Are in This Together. I have brought to this book a decade of experience helping people to navigate turbulence and reconfigure their lives to do more of what they love.
It’s a short read – about half the length of Wabi Sabi, or just over two hours in audiobook format, but it may be just what you need to turn the remainder of this time into a catalyst for something new and good.
You can get your copy here (or here in the USA or Canada).
Here’s what some of the first readers have had to say about it since it came out on Thursday:
“Just finished this wise and comforting book in which Beth brilliantly captures the crazy, emotional rollercoaster we’ve all been on over the last few months. It’ll be a future classic but for now it’s a must-read for anyone who’s struggling or simply wanting to take stock of their lockdown-altered lives. That will be all of us then!”
“It made me cry because it was like suddenly finding a language that I understood. I had been struggling with loneliness and periods of depression and then the lockdown happened and I just began noticing things and feeling an immense freedom. Then I discovered your beautiful writing and this book and I will always be so very grateful and amazed at the path that led to it.”
“I can’t stop thinking about this book.”
“Can’t recommend it enough.”
“This is an essential, urgent message that everyone needs to read.”
“A soothing and reassuring read to help you take stock and make enlightened choices in these strange times.”
“Just devoured this (audiobook) in 2 hours. You’ve done it again.”
“It is just amazing.”
“I will hold onto this as a way of reflecting on all the things, good and bad, that the pandemic has brought. It’s a keeper!
Sound inspiring? I very much hope it is! You can get your copy here (or here in the USA).
Do hit reply and let me know what this book sparks for you, or come and share on Instagram over @bethkempton.
Much love
Beth Xx
