One Year Wiser: An Illustrated Guide to Mindfulness

by Mike Medaglia

As we travel through the world, we are often faced with conflicts and challenges that cause unhappiness, fear, or anxiety. Meditation, or the practice of mindfulness, has the power to transform this negativity into feelings of love, compassion, and positivity. Here, illustrator and Zen Buddhist practitioner Mike Medaglia takes young readers on a journey of self-discovery. Exploring what mindfulness is and the benefits it can bring, you’ll discover a simple yet powerful truth: peace, contentment, and happiness are inside us already–all we need are the tools to access them. This smart, accessible, and beautifully illustrated guide will help readers master the art of living mindfully. Try it—and live a healthier, happier life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Comics, Graphic Novels, Mental Health

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2017

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) Frequently drawn in the style of one of those mandala adult coloring books, this mindfulness guide is divided into four color-block sections according to the seasons and tackles themes like happiness, gratitude, fighting anxiety and developing a healthy thought life. The layout is always varied and unexpected, and it’s really clever how Medaglia represents abstract ideas on the page through bodies in everyday situations. He even offers suggested exercises in occasional “Practice” text boxes. The only drawback to a book like this is that the people most likely to pick it up are those who already have a good idea of what mindfulness is. That’s not really a problem, though, as this is a fresh delivery of familiar ideas and any reader can pick up reminders if not new concepts.

[Unfortunate anatomical point: every time the author draws the lungs to encourage attention to our breathing, they are the shape of kidneys.]

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview:
This book goes through why being mindful is important and the benefits that it has on ones life.
Using the four seasons (Which explains the title of this book) for each chapter/part, this book shows you how being mindful can uplift you. This book includes practices and beautiful illustrations.

Thoughts:
Before I read this book I put on some nature music and it was lovely to read with.
This book was very cute and I really loved the illustrations, it added to the book in a positive way.
Every page looked really cool and in a weird way the book felt good to read. Like I was being in the moment well reading this book.
I enjoyed how this book used the four seasons and each season went through different topics to talk about. Like Ego, Anxiety.

I liked the lessons and practices that this book was teaching. Such as, being grateful for the little things in life. Which we tend to forget to do.

It is funny because I remember when I was younger I thought Meditation was weird. And I couldn't see myself doing it. But growing older I now see Meditation in a new light and think quite highly of it.
Our mind is always racing and its nice to just sit and calm your mind and check in with yourself.
I liked how the author was understand of how hard Meditation can be and even reminded the person reading the book not to be to strict. And even said "If you miss a few days [of meditation], just keep going from where you left off." And I liked that. Because I do that.

Overall I liked this book! :D

[Sylvia Louis-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend gave me this book on my 18th birthday and it wasn’t until now that I truly appreciated it. Sometimes it takes time to be in a position to receive information, in this case it was during quarantine when I had time to truly reflect on myself and my inner world.

This book is centred around the concept of mindfulness and how to live a more compassionate, connected, positive life. The book is split into four ‘seasons’ which touch on different topics. We are guided through each season with beautiful drawings that align with the tone of the book. It’s a great book to re-read and share with your family/friends.

The principals are easily digestible and easy to incorporate into your life as daily affirmations. This is a book I will constantly be referring to and will keep forever.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat, short read. Had some useful points, and reading along you enter the mindfulness zone being talked about. Useful for reading to calm down, or to cover the basics for future use.

[Mateen Mahboubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reminder to slow down and enjoy life. Can't say that I was as mindful as I would have liked while reading, but I did take a few things away. The illustrations are simple and don't add too much but they're a welcome addition in what could be a very dry volume.

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calming illustrations accompany clear, simple instructions for the basics of mindfulness. A bit hard to reconcile some of the advice about anxiety and suffering with the external causes for that anxiety, but there’s a reason prescriptions for anxiolytics and antidepressants have gone up in the last year.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't the book I thought I was checking out from the library, but it definitely calmed me done on a pretty stressful day with emphasis on mindfulness.Some good points and I loved the graphics....but not really deep nor long. I wouldn't have picked this up if it wasn't for a mistake, but glad I read it tonight!

[tpei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just lovely! It's a great reminder of (or introduction to) some of the core concepts of mindfulness and mindful living. Each section consists of only a few pages and gives a short introduction to mindfully living things like gratitude, anger and compassion. Short texts are surrounded by beautiful, lovely drawings that underline the messages of the pages.

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN AMAZING graphic guide to anyone wanting to dive into Mindfulness.

I love the illustrations Mike does. Goes through each season (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring) and goes over many different human issues we all face from time to time and how to look at them with mindfulness.

Would recommend :)

[Maria Almaguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and creative little book on mindfulness practice, organized according to nature, by the four seasons. Quotable and profound in its simplicity, this is both a good book for beginners as well as inspiration for more experienced practitioners.

[Marie :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

:) this made me really happy and calm. The illustrations were gorgeous and I loved everything in here and how it was discussed! i would love to just flip through this again and again and reread it to get the full effect of what the author is saying and I cooperate it into my life.

[Trinity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I have bad anxiety and this book just makes me feel so calm and has some great strategies and quotes in it. I will definitely take the advice of the book and practice the strategies practiced in it.

[Renu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was very different than my expectation. But I liked it very much. Author has successfully put the topic in fund and easy way. Author also provides practice tips. It was a very nice read.

[erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

succinct covering of all-things mindfulness, breathing, meditation. wee practices at the end of each section are lovely reminders to take some pause where you can.

[Tricia Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to read while winding down for bed. Some of it was a little too crunchy-granola for me, but overall I found the compassionate messages and the suggested practices really helpful.

[Shyloh-Dawn Fermaldibryde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book that puts things in perspective. Beautiful drawings too!