Reviews

Book Review – The Serenity Passport: A World Tour of Peaceful Living in 30 Words by Megan C. Hayes, Illustrated by Amelia Flower

Book Review

The Serenity Passport

A World Tour of Peaceful Living in 30 Words

by Megan C. Hayes

Illustrated by Amelia Flower

143 Pages

 

 

The Serenity Passport” by Megan Hayes is a broad survey of practices from many different cultures around the globe, all of which focus on serenity. The book is divided up into five chapters: “Focus and Awareness,” which discusses mindful, meditative practices; “Body and Wellness,” which discusses movement-based practices, breathing exercises, and health; “Habits and Rituals,” which explores different ways to bring serenity into your daily life or incorporate them into your existing rituals, such as bathing or heating; “Rest and Relaxation,” which explores ways to make yourself feel cozy and take time off; and “Patience and Poise,” which explores ways of finding serenity in each other, and in ourselves, even during difficult times.

Each practice or concept of serenity is discussed in just a few clear and simple pages, interspersed with soft, pastel-colored illustrations to encourage the sense of serenity as you read. Flower’s illustrations are perfectly matched to the material, and encourages a bit of casual daydreaming and consideration in the reader. The book is beautiful and easy to read, making it the perfect bathtime book or journaling companion. The practices all come from very different cultures and traditions, but the serenity-minded reader will find something rewarding on every page, ways to enhance and maintain a balanced inner life. 

A joyous survey of practices which encourage serenity around the world, “The Serenity Passport” makes a lovely gift book, and an endearingly light read. Although it is a short book, it contains a lot of meat, and small practices which could, together or singly, help bring about a larger perspective shift, and bring serenity to even the most hectic life. 

Megan C. Hayes is a UK-based writer and researcher who has written about serenity, happiness, and identity. An enthusiastic proponent of positive psychology, Hayes’ work deals especially with how writing can encourage growth, and she promotes journaling for mental health. She currently teaches Creative Writing at Teesside University, and her work can be found online at http://meganchayes.com/

 


The Serenity Passport: A world tour of peaceful living in 30 words on Amazon

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About the Author:

Sarah McMenomy is an artist and witch. Her craft incorporates herbalism, spellwork, trance, divination, auras, and more. Her work can be found at https://sarahmcmenomy.tumblr.com