Charlene Costanzo - The Twelve Gifts from the Garden: Life Lessons for Peace and Well-Being

Praise for The Twelve Gifts from the Garden

In this lovely, thoughtful series of meditations on what the author calls the simple yet sacred moments of our lives, Charlene Costanzo calls upon the beauty of the natural world outside ourselves as well as the quiet wisdom that lies within us, offering strength and healing. This book is a gift of peace and comfort for all readers.

Reeve Lindbergh , author of multiple books including Two Lives and Un der a Wing

The Twelve Gifts from the Garden is a joyful read bursting with the beauty of nature and reflections of lessons learned in life. I have been a fan of Charlene Costanzos daily emails and books for many years. Most mornings, reading her reflections gives me goosebumps because they are like having a cup of coffee with God. They are what I would imagine God would be saying to me in that moment because Charlenes reflections would be in line with what I prayed the night before. This is a wonderful book to gift yourself an d others!

Gina La Benz , author of Anchor Moments: Hope, Healing, and Fo rgiveness

From the very first paragraph, I felt my spirit stirredlike when you dont know how thirsty you are until that first sip of cool water. Instantly, I was transported to an enchanted island to experience insightful gifts alongside the author. Her prose is as soothing as the scenes she describes. Charlene will renew your wonder and gratitude for our beautiful earth, and for the gifts and lessons available to us all when were mindfully watching.

Angela Howell , author of Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for M indfulness

After reading The Twelve Gifts from the Garden , I may never pass a plant again without feeling a nudge toward reflection and introspection. In this book, Charlene gently reminds us to live more mindfully, to be present in the moment, to not worry about our harvest but to focus on how we plant our seeds. She does this by sharing lessons prompted by experiences in a beautifully described garden. Throughout the book I felt myself commiserate, empathize, and celebrate with her in her disappointments, struggles, and triumphs. Charlene skillfully comforts and soothes the reader, while at the same time challenging us to think differently and learn more from nature, particularly about how to use the innate qualities she calls the Twelve Gifts. I didnt want the book to end, and I know I will read it again a nd again.

Adrienne Falzon, author of The Search for the Perfect Shell , What is an Angel? , Selfish Sally, Its Not Fair! , and Live Like Paul

Just as the waves of the sea ebb and flow, so do the currents of our lives. Charlene Costanzos The Twelve Gifts from the Garden with its stunning imagery and poignant recollections, reminds us to savor the pleasures and discoveries of the day, the healing power of nature, and the joy of connectionto oneself an d others.

Maryann Ridini Spencer , award-winning screenwriter and bestselling author of Lady in the Window and The Para dise Table

With the wonder of a child, the introspection of a mature woman, and the wisdom of the elders, Charlene Costanzo inspires us to discover the hidden treasures of nature as we make our way through this journey called life. In The Twelve Gifts from the Garden , her accounts of the blessings that she has gleaned from her journey move us to wonder. They arouse joyful anticipation of the blessings awaiting us on our own journeys. It is said that there are those who live in a constant state of amazement. This clearly describes Charlene Costanzo and those who follow her lead.

Gloria Gaynor , singer, Grammy Award-winner for I Will Survive and Testimony and author of I Will Survive: The Book and We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration, and the Pow er of Song

The Twelve Gifts from the Garden invites us to see the beauty of Sanibel through the imaginative perspective of its author. While taking readers on a journey through lush tropical greenery, Charlene Costanzo offers parables of life and love that will last a lifetime. This is a lovely gift to give to oneself and t o others.

Charles Sobezak , author of Living Sanibel: A Nature Guide to Sanibel and Captiva Islands , The Living Gulf Coast , and Six Mornings on Sanibel

This book is a feast, a dream, a wondrous adventure. Gift yourself with this exquisite collection of stories by Charlene Costanzo and you will feel transported from start to finish. Charlene is our gentle guide through inner and outer landscapes filled with meandering paths, curious questions, and colorful surprises. Along the way, youll meet black butterflies, beautyberry plants, pom pom palmsand, most importantly, your own inner garden. Our lives are fleeting gifts; Costanzo reminds us of this with every perfectly crafted sentence along this enchanting journey o f a book.

Sherry Richert Belul , founder of Simply Celebrate and author of Say It Now: 33 Creative Ways to Say I Love You to the Most Important People in Your Life

The Twelve Gifts
from
the Garden

The Twelve Gifts
from
the Garden

Life Lessons
for Peace
and Well-Being

by Charlene Costanzo

Coral Gables

Copyright 2020 by Charlene Costanzo.
Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.

Cover, Layout & Design: Morgane Leoni
Cover illustration: moleskostudio & biscotto87

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The Twelve Gifts from the Garden: Life Lessons for Peace and Well-Being

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication number: 2020940962
ISBN: (print) 978-1-64250-372-2, (ebook) 978-1-64250-373-9
BISAC category code OCC019000, BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Inspiration & Personal Growth

Printed in the United States of America

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