Happy Wednesday, ladies! How is your week going so far?! Today I’m talking about a book I finished back in July that really changed the way I thought about things. In fact, I’ve been thinking about re-reading it. Or maybe finding an audio book so Chris can enjoy it, too. But I’ll let the review explain why…

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THE MAGNOLIA STORY // Chip & Joanna Gaines

THE MAGNOLIA STORY

I read The Magnolia Story in a day. It was one of those days where there wasn’t a lot happening at work so I was able to basically spend the whole time reading. Actually, I’m pretty sure it was the Fourth of July – so that explains that. I remember feeling just so jazzed and inspired afterward – I immediately told Chris that he had to read it. I love the back and forth, how it’s mostly in Joanna’s voice, but Chip chips in. It’s really just a feel-good story.

They truly conveyed their appreciation for each other and for their success. I also appreciated their faith in the risks they took as well – that was probably the most stand out thing for me. I talked a little about how I felt like I was in a weird season of my life and I’m thinking some risks are necessary. But what’s so inspiring about the book is that all the risks were calculated and prepared for. So that’s my big take home message – it’s time to prepare for and then take a calculated risk.

FAVORITE BITS

• Pages 30-36: Okay, I just want to talk about their honeymoon for a moment. What a freaking adventure! I thought I knew what I wanted for my honeymoon, but I don’t know now. I’m such a planner, so the thought of just going and seeing what you find is kind of amazing.
• Page 44-45, 66: Joanna kept a yellow pad of ideas and things she wanted to do in her life. She probably still keeps that pad. And I love that. I keep a notebook of ideas and got Chris on it, too. But I love that she also says that she keeps a child’s imagination about it. I’ve been way too realistic lately, and it’s time to throw it back.
• Page 58: There was a time when they didn’t have the resources they have now – and they were incredibly happy. For me, that’s so inspiring because it means they took their happiness from each other and their environment. They said their rich friends were living these stressed out lives, and despite not knowing how to pay off their bills, they were happy and they were the envy of their friends. I don’t know about you, but that just sounds liek a great way to live.
• Page 61: Okay, they have no TV. WHAT?! I’m not a big TV person as it is. Although I could binge watch YouTube like there’s no tomorrow. But they attribute this to their creativity, to their success, and to their bond with each other. Basically, without the TV taking up the air between them, they had more time to do things together and the things they did made them what they are today.
• Page 147, 168: Don’t just survive, thrive. Just stop reading and think about that for a minute or two. … What do you think? I know the feeling just surviving, and sometimes that is all we can do, but at some point you need to thrive. You need to take all the shit life gives you, and just give it right back. It’s a mental shift, and it’s easier said than done, but man, we all need to do it. Thriving is what happens on the way to accomplishing your goals, it doesn’t just start when life is perfect. In fact, I think Joanna would agree that thriving is the thing that makes an imperfect life a perfect life. Thriving is that line.

Are you adding The Magnolia Story to your to-read list? If you have, what was your favorite part?

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