Wisdom from the Woods

Book excerpt: Wisdom from the Woods is a book about navigating unexpected changes that occur in our lives. Wisdom from the Woods begins with an intriguing diary of a two-month sabbatical written by Virginia Duncan Gilmore in 1996 when she was facing the perfect storm of three major life changes. Ginny spent sixty-one days of soul searching in a cabin in the woods in Door County, Wisconsin contemplating what was "next" in her life. Twenty years later, she shared this story with Duane Trammell while he was grieving the loss of his beloved business partner, Ann McGee-Cooper. Together, they began a deep friendship exploring the stages and constructive processes of growing through life's unexpected and difficult changes.In Wisdom from the Woods, readers learn?How unexpected life changes can be opportunities for growth and lead to better times ahead?How to practice and apply concrete, useful practices to the changes confronting them?How stories of others who have encountered challenging life situations can move readers into a new understanding of the trials they are facingAt multiple times in our lives, we are faced with major life changes-whether it is a relationship loss, a job loss, a career change, retirement or a questioning of the meaning of our lives. Wisdom from the Woods helps readers explore life changes, give tools that help, and provides stories from others who have also gone through major life changes. The authors encourage readers to craft their own plans, choosing the elements that they feel will be most helpful in navigating their own personal challenges.