Hello hello!

I know I don't typically review books on my blog. But I'm very familiar with Marney K. Makridakis' work and when I was invited into the "Hop, Skip, Jump Blog Celebration" it sounded like such fun that I leapt right in!

I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but I admit, I did just that. Before I even cracked open Hop, Skip, Jump: 75 Ways to Playfully Manifest a Meaningful Life, I figured I was gonna really love it. The name intrigued me, I loved the funky font, and the tag line promised that the book would be playful and meaningful.

(Spoiler alert: It is!)

Oh, wait. Before I go any further, I do want to tell you —disclaimer!—that I received a copy of the book from the publisher and am listed on Marney's (Artella Land’s) roster of 75 featured blogs. That said, when I was invited to participate in the blog celebration, they were really clear that they wanted an honest review. After the zingy title, that was what inspired me to agree.

I liked that Marney clearly wasn't wanting us to be blogger brown nosers and write something nice just because. However, now that I've read the book, I betcha she was pretty certain we'd all write something good. Because the book is really great.

What's so great? Well, first and foremost, the book most certainly delivers on "playful." The language is playful. The colors are playful. There are fun facts, haikoodles, manifestagrams, acrowhims, top ten lists, and doodles. Marney's tone is conversational and full of humor. It's the kind of book that draws you in because you can practically hear it giggle.

There's an active joy to the framework, even. I love Marney's concept of being in hop, skip, or jump mode when we are bringing something(s) into existence. The manifestation movements are lively and full of childlike delight.

But, also … Marney completely delivers on the "meaningful." This book is chock-full of unique and useful activities, tools, and practices to support readers in moving forward on our dreams. She includes links and online downloads to add even more value. Marney also includes tons of personal stories that add depth and underscore her points.

I think what I appreciate most about this book is that the concept and tools are truly unique. I have read a gazillion motivational/self-help/personal development books. Never once while reading this book did I think, "Ho-hum; been there; read this." It's obvious that Marney lived this book before writing it. And that she put years into developing the activities in the book. These days it is hard to find original content. I love it when I read it.

I just realized I've been going on and on about the book but haven't yet told you the gist of it. Eep. Forgive me. This book is basically about productivity and manifesting what we want to create in the world. The hop stands for dreaming, the skip stands for experimenting, and the jump stands for taking action. However the whole foundation of the book is that these phases are each full of playfulness and joy. Work can feel like play. Play can make us productive. Neat, huh?

This is not a book I recommend you read. Whaaaaat? After all that positive stuff I said? You heard me right.

You should not read this book. You should interact with it! This is a book I recommend you play with. You create with. You participate in. You dance through. You color, cut, sing, string, loop, and romp through this book. The title is full of verbs and the book makes you want to move.

Oh! When I wrote that, I got an idea. I'm going to reprint an exercise from the book so you can get a real sense of Marney's style. AND it'll get you up out of your seat and moving!

But before I go, I just want to give two links: 


Your Celebration Manifesto

The following is word-for-word from Hop, Skip, Jump: 75 Ways to Playfully Manifest a meaningful Life. This material is all copyrighted and the property of Marney K. Makridakis/Artella Land. (Extra credit to anyone who can guess why I chose this specific exercise!)

Ready, set, go!

Try this: Manifest, OH!

1. Complete the following prompts in writing. Keep the phrases as they are, because repetition of the same word creates momentum as you write.

I am here today to celebrate ______.

I laugh out loud, and I celebrate ______.

I cry a little, and I celebrate ______.

I look to my questions, and I celebrate ________.

I look to trusting what feels impossible, and I celebrate ______.

I look to my choices, and I celebrate ______.

I look to my new beliefs, and I celebrate ______.

 

2. You have just completed your celebration manifesto! Take a moment to read it out loud to yourself.

3. Now go to a mirror, and sing "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang if you know it, in which case dancing is optional, though probably inevitable. Now, as you make eye contact with yourself in the mirror, read your celebration manifesto. Let doubt, anxiety, and worry melt away … into play!

(Writer's note: can you see why I love this book?)

 


Meet the author, Marney K Makridakis:

Marney is the bestselling author of Creating Time and founder of Artellaland.com, an online community for creators of all kinds. I've never met Marney, but I sure would like to. She's quirky, creative, and a great writer/storyteller. (Marney, come to San Francisco and have a sparkly drink with me!)