Publication Design
Harvest the Bounty of Your Career
Deborah F. Windrum, Author
with original artwork by Michele Renée Ledoux
harvestthebounty.com
Harvest the Bounty of Your Career is an inspiring guide for exploring what has been gained from work in the first half of life in order to deliberately create a fulfilling second half of life. Entering into the central metaphor, you will:
• consider the nature and meaning of trees and carry that meaning over to your life work or career.
• look at how the roots of a tree function as its foundation and then explore the foundation or roots of your career.
• consider the branches of a tree as a metaphor for how you have extended yourself professionally through relationships.
• transfer the meaning of fruit to the value of professional accomplishments or legacies in your life.
• imagine the planting of seeds as both culmination and new beginnings.
and, finally, gather together all of these experiences into your own harvest.
The sensibilities of the tree metaphor are exquisitely translated into the design of the book by fine artist/graphic designer Michele Renée Ledoux. The 7 x 8 format imparts a personal and intimate feel. The size and cover art combined are an invitation to pick up and hold the book, and perhaps savor it beneath a tree. The inspirational original full-color art plates and quotations woven throughout the text are not only integral to the content and experience of the book, but they also transform the physical artifact into a keepsake to be personally enjoyed and appreciated as well as gifted to friends.
You may choose traditional journaling exercises and/or other kinds of activities, including the visual representation of thoughts and ideas. Interpersonal activities are also suggested, as well as detailed outlines for experiencing Harvest in small group settings. The text, activities, and artwork can each stand alone, thus appealing equally to those who prefer to just read, those who prefer active engagement without extensive reading, as well as to those who prefer to be visually stimulated by the artwork.
Harvest the Bounty of Your Career is as useful for a working individual just beginning to wonder what might be next in her life, as for the person close to retirement or already retired. Harvest is not only for Boomer career women; it is relevant for career change, midlife, the second half of life, retiring, aging, conscious life stage transitioning, personal growth, inner work and reflection, journaling, creativity, women s groups, a woman s developmental cycle, and women s spirituality. The central tree metaphor also appeals to those who feel a deep appreciation for trees, gardens, and nature, which is called forth by the earthy and evocative art.
Reviews
"An inspirational, reflective, and practical resource, reminding us in tangible ways that at any stage or season of our life, we can harvest and integrate our experience.... allows us to review what we yet wish to cultivate or want to seed for future seasons of growth or incubate in order for new cycles of interest to emerge." —Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., cultural anthropologist, author of The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom
"Deb Windrum s beautiful book helps you pause, reflect, and discover your evolving inner wisdom a compassionate guide for anyone entering a new season in life." —Diane Dreher, best-selling author of Your Personal Renaissance, Inner Gardening, The Tao of Womanhood, The Tao of Inner Peace, and The Tao of Personal Leadership and Professor of English/Research Associate, Spirituality and Health Institute, Santa Clara University.
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