Karen Walrond is the author of The Lightmakers Manifesto, Radiant Rebellion, and In Defense of Dabbling. As a lawyer, leadership coach, and activist, she has helped thousands of people around the world find purpose and meaning in their lives. Karen and her work have been featured on Brene Browns Unlocking Us podcast, PBS, Huffington Post, CNN.com, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. A sought-after speaker, Walrond is also the author of The Beauty of Different, and her award-winning blog, Chookooloonks, is a lifestyle, inspiration, and photography destination. Walrond and her family reside in Houston, Texas.
Description
CHAPTER 1: A CASE FOR INTENTIONAL AMATEURISM CHAPTER 2: THE SPIRITUALITY OF INTENTIONAL AMATEURISM AND THE MAKING OF AN AMATEURS MENU CHAPTER 3: CURIOSITY: FAILURE IS FASCINATING CHAPTER 4: MINDFULNESS: BE LIKE WATER, MY FRIEND CHAPTER 5: SELF-COMPASSION: WERE NOT BEETHOVEN CHAPTER 6: PLAY: LESSONS FROM A TOILET ROLL MERMAID CHAPTER 7: STRETCH ZONE: THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT IS TO DO IT CHAPTER 8: CONNECTION: GETTING YOUR ESSENTIAL VITAMIN CHAPTER 9: WONDER AND AWE: TRENCHES, HUMMINGBIRDS AND FUZZY STARS CHAPTER 10: THE PATH TO TRANSCENDENCE ABRIDGED LIST OF AMATEUR PURSUITS: THINGS I TRIED AND DIDNT TRY (BUT STILL MIGHT) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
"A joyful exploration of play that helped reignite my own creative passions. Like having a long, healing lunch with your best friend." --Jenny Lawson, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"I think Karen Walrond might be a little bit of a good witch. Its the only thing that can explain how she always seems to write the exact right book I need at the exact right moment I need it! This book is a love letter to all of us amateurs who have our own abridged list of amateur pursuits of things I tried and didnt try--but still might. This book is for the dabblers, the fuzzy stargazers, and the intentional amateurs with a great many loves." --Marcie Alvis Walker, author of Everybody Come Alive
"Karen Walronds In Defense of Dabbling is a welcome permission slip to feed our curiosity, to play with and explore whatever it is were drawn to--not for our side hustle, not to become a professional, but for our humanity. Walrond is the perfect leader for what is sure to be a movement of celebrating all things amateur. Her humility, vulnerability, and earned confidence have motivated me to pick up my favorite long-dormant textile design app!" --Gabrielle Blair, New York Times bestselling author, designer, and mother of six
"The wise and delightful Karen Walrond once again guides us straight to the hidden joys and unexpected truths of life. For all of us hoping to make the very best of our time on this earth, shes an essential voice." --Katherine Center, New York Times bestselling author
"A life-expanding ode to the joy of being an amateur in a world thats bent on mastery, In Defense of Dabbling reminds us to say yes to moments, activities, and pursuits for no other reason than the feelings they give us. A powerful reset, bundled with an invitation to take yourself, and the world, a little more lightly." --Jonathan Fields, award-winning author of Sparked: Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work That Makes You Come Alive
"As someone who has always known that midlife isnt a crisis but a chrysalis, I deeply believe that aging is the same as growing--and that growing is all about continual learning and adventure. In Defense of Dabbling provides a blueprint for us to grow: Its Seven Attributes of Intentional Amateurism provide guideposts along our way. This book reminds us of the power we all hold to make our lives bigger, brighter, and more expansive than ever." --Chip Conley, New York Times bestselling author
"Karen Walronds voice is unmistakably wise, humane, and joyous. What if our path out of the spiraling psychological crises of our time was as simple as picking up a hobby or two? Its a counterintuitively profound prescription: we need more love, more freedom, more curiosity in our lives. So lets choose it. Not to feed social media or hustle some extra income, but because its what our soul most needs: room to roam." --Sean Fitzpatrick, psychotherapist, executive director of The Jung Center, and author of The Ethical Imagination
"Karen Walrond brings us back to the simple joy of doing things just because we want to--no pressure to get it exactly right. She invites us to follow our curiosity, play a little more, and remember what its like to explore for the fun of it." --Meredith Walker, co-founder of Amy Poehlers Smart Girls