Discover your next great read with our book reviews
Cover of ALIGNMENT
0

ALIGNMENT

by discussing an extremely relevant topic in 21st\u002Dcentury America: discovering the right work\u002Dlife balance. She suggests that this balance is not only impossible to find, but also illusory—either people are ignoring work\u002Drelated things they should be doing, or they’re neglecting their lives in favor of their jobs, particularly when their occupations involve helping others. But “having work that is of service to the world,” Keller Wood writes, “does not require a life of monastic self\u002Dsacrifice.” The way she proposes to avoid these kinds of problems is to abandon the idea of balance and instead concentrate on “alignment.” The key to this concept is the trick of seeing life as a mosaic whose innumerable little pieces will realign themselves in response to changes in employment, family, health, and other factors. Each piece supports the others and gives the mosaic long\u002Dterm durability. Drawing on her experience in the Montessori school of teaching, Keller Wood stresses this flexibility and the “interleaving” (“resting from one kind of work” and switching to another) that’s characteristic of the educational method. The author asks readers: “If your body is weary from physical work, is there a more abstract problem you could puzzle over?” Keller Wood never avoids the “hard truth” that all the pieces of the mosaic she describes are temporary. Nonetheless, she writes with grace and genuine enthusiasm about her conviction that her readers can overcome the situation where “we have a lot on our plate, but we’re feeling less connected to the meaning behind it” and discover personal alignments that will improve their lives. Her lively book is full of vivid narrative examples drawn from her own life and the experiences of others as well as helpful writing exercises and “reflection questions” designed to make her less of a teacher and more of a Montessori\u002Dstyle “guide.” Teachers at all levels will consider the book useful, and harried, overworked readers will find it a welcome call to slow down and take stock."

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781774584

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This timely guide tackles the modern struggle of juggling career demands with personal fulfillment, offering a revolutionary alternative to the traditional work-life balance model. Drawing from Monte...

Our Review

This timely guide tackles the modern struggle of juggling career demands with personal fulfillment, offering a revolutionary alternative to the traditional work-life balance model. Drawing from Montessori educational principles, the author introduces the concept of "alignment"—viewing life as a flexible mosaic where professional responsibilities, family needs, and personal well-being interlock in a dynamic, supportive structure. Through vivid personal narratives and real-world examples, the book demonstrates how shifting focus from rigid balance to fluid alignment can transform overwhelming schedules into meaningful patterns. The approach resonates particularly for those in service-oriented professions who often sacrifice personal needs for their work.

What distinguishes this guide is its practical methodology featuring reflective writing exercises and thought-provoking questions that encourage active participation rather than passive reading. The Montessori-inspired technique of "interleaving"—strategically switching between different types of tasks—provides concrete strategies for readers feeling disconnected from their overpacked lives. Educators and helping professionals will find immediate application for these principles, while any overwhelmed individual will appreciate the compassionate invitation to reassess their priorities. This isn't another productivity manual but rather a thoughtful framework for creating sustainable harmony amid life's constant changes.

0