Living a Charmed Life: Your Guide to Finding Magic in Every Moment of Every Day

Usually I don't like "self-help" books. I find them to be wordy, boring, and don't feel like I can actually use a lot of the information in them - whether it is because it doesn't apply to my season of life, something that is common sense that I already do, or just seems like a lot of drivel. This book, however, is truly a gem. There are 50 chapters-just a few pages each that - that could apply to me - my mom - my daughter - my best friend - very universal yet relevant. My favorite was a chapter entitled "Expect the Best", where she tells a story about when she was 14 that she knew that she was going to meet the Beatles. She didn't just "want" to meet them - she "expected" to meet them - and she goes on to tell how she did (very cute story!) It reminded me of when I was a teenager and I applied to be in a Modern Miss pageant in my home state. Now, no one in my small town had ever heard of this pageant - but I just kept telling everyone - "they have to pick someone to be in it, why not me?" and that "someone has to win". Well, I was chosen and did win a trophy for Modern Miss Academic, though not the big title. I just knew that I was going to be there and win something. The other incident I remember as a teen is applying for college. My dad had passed away my junior year of high school and the law had just been changed that SSI for dependents stopped at 18 - so I was not expecting any money from family or government for college. There was only one college that I applied to - Cornell College in Iowa. I didn't give a thought to the prospect that I would not be accepted or that I would not have the money to go. I guess you could say that I just Expected It. Not only was I accepted, but I received their top scholarship, as well as a scholarship from Pepsi Cola (my dad had worked for Frito Lay, a subsidiary) and a handful of smaller scholarships, that covered all my expenses. This chapter in Living a Charmed Life made me wonder what happened to my expectations? Why as we grow up do we stop expecting the good things to happen to us? Why do we tend to look for the negative? The Lucky Charm at the end of this chapter is "Look at your schedule for the day ahead. For each task and appointment, hold the mental image of everything working out beautifully." I think this can be applied for both those small tasks and the life long ones (like raising children!) This is a book that I believe I will keep on my nightstand - and when I need some positive reinforcement, I will pick it up and read a chapter and listen to those lucky charms!

How can you not pick up a book that says, "Living a charmed life is your birthright, one that you can start to claim as soon as you take to heart--and put to action--the practical and spiritual tips you'll find here"? Victoria Moran has written another "charmed life" how-to book: "Living a Charmed Life: Your Guide to Finding Magic in Every Moment of Every Day." This one is composed of 50 chapters, which are essentially instructions on how to live a life of happiness, contentment, and prosperity. Each chapter is end-tagged with a Lucky Charm, a nugget of inspiration to kick-off the action required to apply the lesson of the chapter. Moran's approach is effective because it's personal. She uses her own experiences and explains how simple interactions and turns of events become essential triggers to charmed life opportunities. She told of a best friend Consuelo who said, "Remember when you take care of yourself, you take care of the universe" (Chapter 25: Take such good care of yourself). Another friend Mary Beth picked up pennies, gathered them in a "Seed Money" jar, and when the jar was full, she used the money to buy seeds for her beautiful and lush flower garden (Chapter 40: Consider yourself lucky). "Living A Charmed Life" is brimming with actionable inspiration. Many of the tips can be considered common sense; for example, keep your sunny side up, give peace a chance, detox your body, and dress for the occasion. But Moran goes beyond common sense; she delves into hidden meanings, spiritual nuances, and the complexities of human nature, and then filters everything down to bullet lists of simple day-to-day action. Probably the best lucky charm that Moran shares in the book is in the last few pages. She lists all her resources--the like-minded charmed lives who have written their stories, shared their insights, and shone their light on the path. It's a precious compilation of who's who in the self-help and inspiration category. "Living a Charmed Life" is a life guide, one that has all the easy instructions for living a life worth living. Everyone deserves a charmed life... Moran shows how to embrace it. - Ruby Bayan, OurSimpleJoys

I love this book! Victoria Moran has written the most fun self-help book for women, EVER. And she's funny, to boot. I love "Add a splash of red" (my fingernails are currently painted "fiery red"), and "Behold the thousand-pound gorilla". I keep this book nearby and flip it open randomly to rediscover some yummy little tip on deepening my life. How she makes it all so fun and easy to do, I don't know. Probably because she does it herself! Highly recommended for anyone who is looking to find sparkle and satisfaction in their life.

I have read all of Victoria's books, many more than once. Despite the fact that I was eagerly anticipating this latest work, I confess to wondering if there was anything more I could possibly glean from her wisdom bank. I need not have been concerned. Each new essay is like a breath of fresh air and inspiration. I have already incorporated numerous ideas into my daily life and know that there are more to discover in the pieces I've not yet read. The essays are quick reads and a great way to start or end your day. I tend to read one or two before bedtime and then mull over her words before falling asleep, planning how to apply her suggestions to my life the very next day. Victoria continually reminds me of all that is good and how to make the "not-so-good" better. Highly recommended.

I loved this book. It exceeded my expectations (and my expectations were high after Victoria's previous books). Each time I finished reading for the day, I would think to myself, "life is good." Very empowering and uplifting. Lots of practical tips and suggestions for improving your daily life. I'm better off after reading it.