Thrive!

There’s no doubt that Ariana Huffington is an incredible role model and great inspiration for innumerable people around the world. But, now, beyond simply being an example of hard work, dedication, extreme success and the coveted American Dream, she is the picture of the balanced life. In a commencement speech to Smith College graduates, she discussed how money and power have become a two-legged stool. But, in order to really thrive we need a third leg. That third metric, made up of well-being, wisdom, wonder and giving is beautifully described by Huffington throughout the contents of this book, which is as chock-full of practical information as it is wonderfully written. (And it doesn’t hurt that I recently participated in a meditation seminar led by Huffington, so I could hear her lovely accent in my head as I read!)

I was particularly stunned by how much time we as Americans spend on the internet, our phones, dealing with our email… I’m certainly one of them, so I guess I know. But seeing it right there in black and white really helped me want to make changes in how much time I spend using my devices. And I was particularly moved by Huffington’s tales of service and giving. She envisions a world where the question, “What are we going to do this weekend?” is met more often with the answer, “Volunteer.” I think we all know how much our lives are put into perspective when we spend time serving others.

I enjoyed this book so much, particularly because it made me realize that if Ariana Huffington can make the time in her life for yoga and meditation, wonder and giving, I certainly can too! From music to volunteer work to apps that keep you from getting distracted, this book is a go-to guide for anyone looking to lead a more balanced life. 

About the Author:

Arianna Huffington is the cofounder, president, and editor in chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, one of the world’s most influential news and information brands. She is the author of fourteen books, including Third World America and On Becoming Fearless, and the mother of two daughters, Christina and Isabella.

Fellow bloggers, I received this book from Blogging For Books, an awesome program by Crown Publishing that exchanges books for honest reviews. If you love to read like I do, check it out!