Ordinary Goodness: The Surprisingly Effortless Path to Creating a Life of Meaning and Beauty

(Paperback)

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Human beings often struggle to find a life filled with passion, happiness.and just plain goodness. This struggle drives many to depression, addictive tendencies or even self-destruction. Author and New Thought minister, Edward Viljoen, argues that the struggle need not be an arduous or painful one - that through acts of kindness, faith and compassion we can create beautiful lives. Using stories, personal examples, tips and exercises, this book will guide the reader to realise that wherever they are, they can create meaning and beauty in their life and in the world. Viljoen provides deep insights into how we can live happier lives including: *How life is a paradox of both wholeness and brokenness *How caring about the ordinary things causes extraordinary life experiences *How society's messages about perfection distract us from our ordinary goodness *How faith is a muscle that must be exercised *How in moments of exasperation we sometimes lose our composure, and how that is nothing to be ashamed about *How ordinary goodness leads to a redefining of Divinity People spend much of their lives trying to be fulfilled and happy. What this book shows is that this is attainable - nothing extraordinary required.

Reviews

"While goodness, kindness, compassion, and faith might seem like ordinary concepts, when it comes to actually living them in the face of life's daily challenges, it's easy to get stuck. Edward Viljoen has given us a gentle, illuminating, compassionate guidebook to living fromthe goodness that lies at the heart of who we really are."
Alan Seale, founder of the Center for Transformational Presence, and author of Create A World That Works and Intuitive Living

"Ordinary Goodness is an extraordinary and practical guide on how to live in a world that seems unkind and yet is filled with opportunities for good. This book inspired me to be a better man."
Chris Michaels, author of The Power of You

"I encourage you to read Ordinary Goodness with a willingness to deepen your capacity to simply be an open vessel through which a life worth living may flow. Ordinary Goodness is anything but ordinaryit is extraordinary."
Dennis Merritt Jones, author of Your Redefining Moments and The Art of Uncertainty

"If kindness were a country, Ordinary Goodness would be its travel guide. In this book, Edward Viljoen delves into a perfectly ordinary yet arguably neglected virtuekindnessand reveals its source, its rewards, and a well-defined approach for integrating kindness into your very bones. Combining his personal history with his decades of experience as a minister, Viljoen is eminently qualified to teach us that the ordinariness of kindness may actually be the most dazzling quality we might possess."
Randall Friesen, publisher of Newt List Books

"Ordinary Goodness reminds me I can see goodness and kindness every day. Edward reminds all of us, that despite our failings, we really can be both good and kind. Brew a cup of tea and curl up with this insightful and achingly beautiful account of the mystery, paradox, and wonder of your life. Youll be glad you did!"
Petra Weldes, author of Joyous Living Journal

"Edward eloquently shares with us the simplicity of revealing goodness in our lives. Kindness, compassion, faith, and goodness live within us. Our willingness to tap into these qualities creates a life of peace, harmony, joy, and wisdom."
Cynthia James, author of I Choose Me: The Art of Being a Phenomenally Successful Woman at Home and at Work

"Viljoens practices will help readers become extraordinary in their expression of ordinary goodness."
Christian Sorensen, author of Soar: Spiritual Guidance for Overcoming Life's Turbulence

"Ordinary Goodness calls us to both see and grow goodness, kindness, and compassion in our own lives, and in so doing, moves us to a higher and clearer experience of our personal faith. Ordinary Goodness is no ordinary book!"
Mark Gilbert, author of Our Spiritual Evolution

"Viljoen deftly describes a pathway to the kind of life that just about everyone would like to experience."
Jim Lockard, author of Creating the Beloved Community

"This superbly written book reminds us that our joy is genuinely felt when we are willing to channel simple acts of ordinary goodness."
David Ault, author of The Grass Is Greener Right Here

"If you want to know how to live abetter lifein today's world,there may be no better book for you to read."
Josh Reeves, senior minister at Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living

"This book is a must-read for everyone."
Dr. Kenn Gordon, spiritual leader, Centers for Spiritual Living

Author Bio

Edward Viljoen (pronounced full-YOON) is the Senior Minister at Centre for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa, CA. He is the author of the book The Power of Meditation and co-author (with Chris Michaels) of Spirit is Calling* and Practice the Presence* and co-author (with Joyce Duffala) of Seeing Good at Work. He lives in California.