Finding the Magic and Meaning in the Story of Your Life

Do you have competing thoughts in your head like I do? "Who do you think you are, writing the store book reviews? You are not a writer!" says one of mine. "You have insights to share - go for it!" says another. Colette Baron-Reid's new book, "The Map: Finding Magic and Meaning in the Story of Your Life" can help you sort out these conflicting messages.

At first glance the approach Baron-Reid employs to explain the mysteries of the human mind did not appeal to me. She uses imaginary beings to identify the different voices in your head, with names like "the Goblin", "the Gentle Gardner", "the Bone Collector", and "the Wizard of Awareness". Most of my reading is of the non-fiction variety, and I didn't initially grasp the value of these fairy tale type characters.

"As an intuitive counselor, I look beyond the surface of things and into the intricacies behind people's stories: the motivations, unseen patterns, hidden agendas, and ancestral legacy," Baron-Reid writes. To accomplish this goal she uses metaphoric language to paint an imaginary "Map" of your mind. "If you're willing to enter into a partnership with Spirit and allow your imagination to be ignited and inspired," she writes, "you'll be amazed by the results."

"OK, I'll give this a try" I thought and I soon became absorbed into the mythical world of The Map. For example, Baron-Reid creates a character called "The Goblin" to represent negative messages you tell yourself. "Think of the Goblin as the trickster, which is the most troublesome and wounded aspect of your ego," she writes. To overcome these negative messages she says "when we name a Goblin, he no longer has power over us ... Just ask him `what is your name and birthday?'"

In Baron-Reid's imaginary Map, a Goblin is born from a wounding in the past. I thought back to a recurring negative thought that plagues me at times and asked myself, "when did I first start thinking that?" Sure enough, I could remember an incident, a hurt, where I first perceived myself in this negative way. By buying into The Map's mythical character of The Goblin, I gained new insight and a tool to quiet this negative thought in the future.

Baron-Reid introduces us to many other characters in The Map, far too many to recap in this review. A feature I liked about the book was the way she finishes each chapter with a section called "Traveler's Notes" - a summary of the key points of that chapter. The Map's mythical language can be challenging to follow at times, and I found these summaries valuable in making The Map more understandable.

Throughout the book Baron-Reid has a variety of journaling exercises. Sometimes when I read a book that encourages journaling I skip over the exercises and keep reading. Not with The Map. I took the Map's journaling assignments seriously, and gained value from the probing questions the author asks. If you read the Map I encourage you to do the journaling exercises to get the maximum benefit from the book. I liked the journaling exercises so much that I have started this practice at the end of my morning meditation time. I have not consistently journaled for years; since reading The Map I now do it every day.

The Map is an excellent book to help you understand the mysteries of the human psyche. The mythical characters of The Map are not for everyone, but if you allow Baron-Reid's characters to weave their magic on you I believe you'll gain new insights and healing. I know I did.

This is another book review in my partnership with Hay House. I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the book from Hay House for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

I found Colette's other books to be more informative. I personally did not get much out of this book, but it has been a while since I purchased it, and I'm sure that when I re-read it, I will get more out of it than the first time.

I bought this book because I was fascinated with Colette. I had no idea that it was going to be so creatively written. I usually have a tough time with big extravagant words, but Colette threw her words together like an artist on painting a landscape from beginning to end. I've read many books on the evolving yourself. from Osho, Joe Dispenza, Penny peers, Lynn McTaggart, Byron Katie, Lester Levinson-the list goes on and on. But I couldn't put this book down. I had to let one of my clients borrow it and I cannot wait to get it back so I can reread it. Highly profound! A beautiful perspective for facing your inner demons without fear. It mostly caters to women, but I believe men can get something out of it too. I hope Colette never stops writing.

Colette Baron-Reid's, "The Map" holds metaphorical places such as "The Crystal Canyon of Echoes", where your words and self image reflect out to the world and "The Vandalized House" signifying where we may have made choices where we were disrespectful of our self or been violated along our journey. The landscape continually changes depending on choices you've made in life and what your soul may need to learn. "There are season's and cycles for everything. No storm stays in one place, so even if you are in turbulent seas, fearing your boat will capsize, the winds will move along, as the always do, and the waters will become still once more." As we grow and discover the hidden treasures of every experience, our landscape transforms and changes with us.

From"The Wizard" who represents your inner wisdom to" the Goblin" who represents the ego, Colette gives a new perspective on how to manage the emotions that are continually going on within. I especially love her portrayal of the ego as the Goblin, making the ego relatable and easy to see how it influences us every day! If you see the ego as a little pet Goblin, you don't want to kill the pet, just train it to behave!!! When my ego acts up taunting," See I told you couldn't do it" or That was a dumb idea," I pause and see my trickster Goblin, whining at the door, invite it in and give it a hug. From there I can ask, "What is it that my Spirit knows to be true in this moment?" "Name him, call him out and you take away his power."

Colette's "The Map" might make a skeptic raise an eye brow a few times, yet in reading this book, I found another opportunity to reflect and make peace with where I am. In a playful way she named situations I deal with as a parent of a teen and young child, a wife and an entrepreneur, reminding me it can take courage to surrender to the present. The ego will come up with a thousand reason's to keep pushing, "If you don't do it, it won't get done," "there's not enough time in the day," all fear based thoughts that keep me in overwhelm. But it's in those moments that I breathe... soften my relentless drive and surrender to the path as it is revealed to me one moment at a time, transforming "The Sticky Swamp" where I feel stuck, to the "Field of Dreams," where I must go to plant the seeds of grace and intent!

We may not like to face where we are, but when we are truthful and honest with "The Wizard", we're at the first step of changing the course! "The Map" helps you to set your compass and head towards your desired destination, and you may find yourself strolling on "Balancing Beach!"

Thank you to Hay House for giving me this free book to review!

Colette Baron-Reid has a unique way of portraying this journey that we are all on, life. In her portrayal she personifies the ego as a Goblin (as well as a chatterbox) and does so in such as way that it becomes relatable therefore making it easy to see how it's operating in my day-to-day life.

She also give meaning to the different areas and places that I have found myself in from time to time such as The Vandalized House as well as the places in my life where I seem hang out the most, like The Crystal Canyon of Echos. In illuminating these different areas, I find it easier to spot where I am in this moment, making it easier for me to make a choice about whether or not I want to stay where I am or whether or not I would like to move along to somewhere else.

She makes it seem like my life is a treasure hunt, some kind of magical adventure, which ultimately has me feeling lighter about the whole experience. I find myself not being bogged down by the seriousness of it all, knowing that each place is only one stop or point on the journey.

I enjoyed this book and found a lot of nuggets to carry with me. Thank you to Hay House Publishing for providing me with a free copy to review.

Admit I only skimmed it, but am familiar with enough of this kind of BS that it was clear what I was reading. The new age you-control-your-life, no matter what you experience, blame-the-victim idiocy. Hay House was a big red flag, as were the companion authors. People struggling with what life throws at them need guidance, support, but not this horse$***. Run, run, as fast as you can.

Fascinating, helpful and relevant to personal growth and clarity. I have had Baron-Reid's Map Cards for a while now and decided to read the book, too. Both are well worth the money if you're trying to figure out who you are, what you want, where you are on your path as well as how you just might be getting in your own way, this is for you.