When Sharon Neiss Arbess arrived in to my office for a consultation, she wasn’t looking to write another book … she was looking for a way to support you, your mental health, and your emotional intelligence.
When Sharon expressed that she wanted to write stories and help youth, I knew that I had to connect them. Most of us love to learn in “chunks” or “tidbits” and so Sharon and I decided to pair short stories that would make you nod your head and feel seen and heard with simple and functional movements to stack into your daily life. It’s a book that you now hold in your hands … and it’s something that we all wish we had at your age.
I believe that everyone is their own best expert – that means you are your best expert and know what’s best for you. However, when we have conversations with other good humans (who have open minds and open hearts), we can learn so much. In the spirit of this, we decided to include advice from many others who care about you too – this isn’t a book with one voice. What I didn’t realize until reading through all of the submissions from our “mentors” was that so many of us “older adults” wish they had been weirder, bolder, stronger, and louder themselves … less concerned about what others thought. Perhaps this is the biggest lesson for me that I have received from being part of this book with Sharon … the understanding that hindsight for most on the other side of youth wish they had been more of themselves at your age. I certainly know I would have!
As you read Sharon’s short stories and learn and practice the rituals, remember that the challenge or struggle might just have the answer for you to thrive. Hold that thought. It is an important truth. Once you learn it, your world will change. So many of our personal issues (and world issues) come from us abandoning ourselves. Stick with yourself, you’re worth it.
We look forward to you making the commitment to Get Up. It’s starts with your first step (reading this and getting a copy of the book) and not losing touch with how important that is! There are a lot of people that poured their hearts and souls into this book and are cheering you on!
Lisa Borden
Producer of Get Up, Unconventional Idealist, Innovator, Instigator and Initiator.
Buy The Get Up Book for yourself and to give to humans you care about:
on amazon.ca
on amazon.com
What is Get Up?
A collection of the short stories, emotional lessons, functional exercises, and mentor memos we need in order to thrive. We recommend Get Up for ages 11 and up, but we created it especially for all human beings who care to do better for themselves and others!
Sharon Neiss Arbess has written short stories based on her real-life experiences and from her imagination. Each story could be related to any teen across the globe with a nod, a smile, and an appreciation of what resiliency really is. Most importantly, each tale is topped off with a lesson that demonstrates how you can Get Up and get through whatever faces you and even become stronger from the process.
Mentors from around the globe (mostly inspiring members from The Wellness Intelligence Collective) have shared a personal story, mantra, or lesson that their teenage self would appreciate hearing … and so will you.
Each Chapter also has a special space to reflect and connect to one’s own thoughts.
Buy The Get Up Book for yourself and to give to humans you care about:
on amazon.ca
on amazon.com
