LifeLines
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- Create Date：2021-03-15 04:12:43
- Update Date：2025-09-08
- Status：finish
- Author：Melissa Bernstein
- ISBN：1735439703
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Summary
Join Melissa Bernstein， Co-Founder of the wildly successful toy company Melissa & Doug， on a journey to triumph over anxiety， depression， and despair―a story she hopes will help others find their path to meaning and inner peace。 Now， more than ever， Melissa's message is needed by others， and her promise to all who journey with her is that YOU ARE NOT ALONE。
Who would ever guess that Melissa Bernstein， happily-married mother of 6， creator of over 5，000 toys which have sold over a billion dollars， begins many days the same way far too many others do， wondering if she'll make it to tomorrow？ Melissa shows us that when darkness descends， and it seems there's no escape， there actually is a way out， there actually is hope， and there actually is a path that can lead to meaning and purpose。
Melissa takes us on her path through depression， revealing how her "lifelines" transformed despair into a beacon of hope。 Filled with prose， gorgeous photography， and many of Melissa's verses that express her struggles and breakthroughs， LifeLines is committed to helping others who are "stuck" develop a plan for themselves to survive and thrive。
A book of struggle and salvation， connection and community， LifeLines is a framework for people seeking to understand their emotional lives and to develop their own path to self-discovery and inner transformation。
Who would ever guess that Melissa Bernstein， happily-married mother of 6， creator of over 5，000 toys which have sold over a billion dollars， begins many days the same way far too many others do， wondering if she'll make it to tomorrow？ Melissa shows us that when darkness descends， and it seems there's no escape， there actually is a way out， there actually is hope， and there actually is a path that can lead to meaning and purpose。
Melissa takes us on her path through depression， revealing how her "lifelines" transformed despair into a beacon of hope。 Filled with prose， gorgeous photography， and many of Melissa's verses that express her struggles and breakthroughs， LifeLines is committed to helping others who are "stuck" develop a plan for themselves to survive and thrive。
A book of struggle and salvation， connection and community， LifeLines is a framework for people seeking to understand their emotional lives and to develop their own path to self-discovery and inner transformation。
Reviews
Stephanie （abookandadog）
，
This book is full of beauty。 I loved the nature photos in the background and coupled with the 'LifeLines' makes it a perfect coffee table book。 I can't help but feel awful for Melissa because it is apparent that she was surrounded by some pretty heartless people throughout her life。 I am grateful for her that she was able to find a way to channel her pain to bring joy to so many through her creations。 I had a tough time reading this book especially in the first few volumes because of some clunky This book is full of beauty。 I loved the nature photos in the background and coupled with the 'LifeLines' makes it a perfect coffee table book。 I can't help but feel awful for Melissa because it is apparent that she was surrounded by some pretty heartless people throughout her life。 I am grateful for her that she was able to find a way to channel her pain to bring joy to so many through her creations。 I had a tough time reading this book especially in the first few volumes because of some clunky writing and odd word choices。 Each volume felt a little repetitive but maybe I missed the point there given the title of each of them。 The writing smoothed out more towards the end and I appreciate that the author was able to recognize that she needed to find people that were willing to support and not go through life alone - this I feel is very important for those who may read this looking for hope in their own life。Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC。 。。。more
Tricia Bolender
，
LifeLines is unlike any book I've read before。 Part memoir， part poetry。。。 it chronicles Melissa's journey from people-pleasing / perfectionist / fear-based mindset， to freedom and choosing life。 The most poignant chapters for me were Perfectionism and Martyrdom， to Curiosity and Possibility， and finally to Liberation。 The book itself is a tribute to creativity， each page a work of art visually， with the poems ending each chapter as a window into Melissa's journey and soul。 I have many pages dog LifeLines is unlike any book I've read before。 Part memoir， part poetry。。。 it chronicles Melissa's journey from people-pleasing / perfectionist / fear-based mindset， to freedom and choosing life。 The most poignant chapters for me were Perfectionism and Martyrdom， to Curiosity and Possibility， and finally to Liberation。 The book itself is a tribute to creativity， each page a work of art visually， with the poems ending each chapter as a window into Melissa's journey and soul。 I have many pages dog-eared that personally touched me。 Here is one verse that particularly moved me and touched my soul:"I'm no longer saying sorryI'm no longer feeling shameI'm no longer trying desperatelyTo play this phony gameI'm no longer acting guiltyI'm no longer staying smallI'm not longer caring what they saySo fearful of them allI'm embracing imperfectionI'm affirming how I feelI'm accepting my emotionsEver striving to be real。"As a mom of a 5-year old and a 1。5 year old， we love Melissa & Doug's puzzles and toys。 This book brings depth and soul， and pulls back the curtains of a creative and a leader who has struggled with anxiety and depression; and is certain to help many through her vulnerability and courage in sharing her story。 。。。more
Seema Dasani
，
I so appreciate Melissa's honesty in this book。 Her sincerity and resilience is so moving。 As someone who recently went back to school for her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling， I see so clearly how the field of mental health carries so much stigma and shame。 And yet， the only way out of that insidious darkness is by sharing one's pain and speaking one's truth。 I too have learned that in my journey from despair to true wellbeing。 Melissa， thank you so much for bringing your light to t I so appreciate Melissa's honesty in this book。 Her sincerity and resilience is so moving。 As someone who recently went back to school for her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling， I see so clearly how the field of mental health carries so much stigma and shame。 And yet， the only way out of that insidious darkness is by sharing one's pain and speaking one's truth。 I too have learned that in my journey from despair to true wellbeing。 Melissa， thank you so much for bringing your light to this subject。 I am sure it will inspire others to also speak up about what ails them and receive the help and support they need。 。。。more
Michelle Lach
，
Melissa has a way of weaving in her own personal story of struggling with existential anxiety and depression while providing hope for others who struggle with feelings of depression and loneliness。 LifeLines is more than a book， but a guide for fellow journey travelers in search of self-discovery， and seeking to derive meaning in life。 This book will inspire you， and move you to tears— as it did me， as I look into the depths of the soul of the woman staring back at me in the mirror。 Through her Melissa has a way of weaving in her own personal story of struggling with existential anxiety and depression while providing hope for others who struggle with feelings of depression and loneliness。 LifeLines is more than a book， but a guide for fellow journey travelers in search of self-discovery， and seeking to derive meaning in life。 This book will inspire you， and move you to tears— as it did me， as I look into the depths of the soul of the woman staring back at me in the mirror。 Through her raw truth-telling， and beautiful notes pieced together from years of writing in notebooks， napkins， scrap pieces of paper， Melissa poured her soul and wisdom into the pages of what has become LifeLines。 If you’ve been wandering， soul searching， and seeking connection with other travelers， Melissa extends a warm hug and an invitation to embark on this journey with fellow seekers。 You are not alone， and there is light on the other side of the deep darkness。 “I had been suffocating under a mountain of flawed perceptions， with each revelation enabling me to shed another fallacy until able to step out as my honest self。” -Melissa Bernstein 。。。more
Sathya Peri
，
Everyone's life isn't as perfect as people portray them to be。 Even though Melissa Bernstein founded a million-dollar toy company， she went through immense anxiety and depression。 She takes us on her journey of dealing with pain and shares her learnings。 Each page of the book is colorful and unique。 By reading about Melissa's life， I had a chance to reflect on my own life and wrestle with topics I hadn't really given a lot of thought to。 The book is powerful as it helped me deal with some things Everyone's life isn't as perfect as people portray them to be。 Even though Melissa Bernstein founded a million-dollar toy company， she went through immense anxiety and depression。 She takes us on her journey of dealing with pain and shares her learnings。 Each page of the book is colorful and unique。 By reading about Melissa's life， I had a chance to reflect on my own life and wrestle with topics I hadn't really given a lot of thought to。 The book is powerful as it helped me deal with some things I had been avoiding。 Hope you get a chance to read it！ 。。。more
Nilima K
，
LifelinesThis book arrived in my life against a backdrop of the recent loss of both parents coupled with the inability to witness their last rites or visit my family in India。 I found the first part of the book too painful to bear and had to put it aside for a few weeks。I picked it up again once I had found some solace in my heart and proceeded to read it through。 Melisa’s words had me enthralled as I went through all her emotions as if they were happening to me。 I followed her through her insec LifelinesThis book arrived in my life against a backdrop of the recent loss of both parents coupled with the inability to witness their last rites or visit my family in India。 I found the first part of the book too painful to bear and had to put it aside for a few weeks。I picked it up again once I had found some solace in my heart and proceeded to read it through。 Melisa’s words had me enthralled as I went through all her emotions as if they were happening to me。 I followed her through her insecurities， perfectionism， compulsive and self-destructive behaviors， which spiraled her to the nadir of anguish only to rise again， to a deep understanding of her own soul。 I watched her emerge from the depths of despair， to rise with dint of determination—ultimately to a liberation of spirit。 But Melissa did not stop there。 Though relieved of many an emotional burden and misconception she does not just stop and enjoy her own inner victory。 She reaches out instead to all who may be suffering a similar plight， to provide lifelines， to help speed their journey out of misery and into self-realization。Melissa’s deep understanding of her own emotions， her ability to express them clearly in prose as well as unembellished， unaffected poetry， gives us a moment-to-moment candid account of her inner evolution from self-destructive practices to self-healing。As a primary care physician， Melissa’s analysis of her maladies: existential depression as well as over excitabilities held intrigue for me。 They piqued my interest to read up further about these issues。 I found they are mostly a corollary of extremely intelligence and hence found commonly in the gifted child which Melissa obviously was。 Melissa was writing verses from the tender age of two， about her existential despondency。 The over excitability meant she read much more into any situation than her nongifted peers could。 Her articulate account of what went on in her brain helps me understand my patients better。 I used to take pride in being empathetic and giving a patient ear to patients。 But Melissa’s words have given me a new sensitivity toward the innermost feelings of people with over excitabilities or existential depression。As a person born and raised in India， imbued with eastern spirituality， I find Melissa to be a truly spiritual person or a seer like the sages of yore。 Her consciousness seems to encompass all of nature， identifying with a falling leaf， a lonely shell， or an ocean wave as if they were extensions of herself。Her use of nature photography as a backdrop for her verses has great esthetic appeal。 The writing often spans a page that is half dark and half light as if to show the two sides to the situations we endure through life。In summary， Melissa’s book is a many-splendored gem that will brighten the lives of readers。Nilima 。。。more
Kahran Singh
，
I really wanted to deeply love Melissa's book。 I believe the work she is doing with her book and words is so important in creating space for people to be vulnerable。 Too many people today do not have that space， and it's difficult to know until you read it if this book will resonate with you and may help you create that space for yourself。 It is certainly worth trying -- it is a very different experience to read this book， with its collection of prose and poetry， remembrance and restitution。 If I really wanted to deeply love Melissa's book。 I believe the work she is doing with her book and words is so important in creating space for people to be vulnerable。 Too many people today do not have that space， and it's difficult to know until you read it if this book will resonate with you and may help you create that space for yourself。 It is certainly worth trying -- it is a very different experience to read this book， with its collection of prose and poetry， remembrance and restitution。 If you feel like you are carrying despair， sorrow， numbness or detachment， this book may connect well with you。Unfortunately， I found it very difficult to connect with Melissa in the way that many other readers seem to have found。 My process for finding truth， and succor in times of despair or destress has been very different than Melissa's， and hers was harder for me to relate to。 I hesitate to give 5 stars because I cannot say I loved the book -- I was left wishing the chapters were a bit more structured， and the stories shared in a more accessible way -- at times I was left similar to how I felt when I ready Isaacson's Steve Jobs; Melissa is amazing but could be an alien -- mere mortals cannot be or exist like these once-in-a-generation， once-in-a-century folks。 That said， the book itself is a wonder and a delight， and if you have forgotten the joy when a book surprises you， or makes you think， or is with you for days and weeks after the reading; why， then， this book is just waiting for the next time you pause， take a breath， and invest in you。 。。。more
Mackenzie Pittman
，
As someone who has dealt with my own loneliness， anxiety， and depression over the years， I can very much relate to Melissa's words。 I am also a lover of quotes and poems so loved the way the book flows。 I would highly recommend this book to anyone out there on their journey through self-discovery （aka， all of us）。 As someone who has dealt with my own loneliness， anxiety， and depression over the years， I can very much relate to Melissa's words。 I am also a lover of quotes and poems so loved the way the book flows。 I would highly recommend this book to anyone out there on their journey through self-discovery （aka， all of us）。 。。。more
Luisa Tanno
，
Melissa Bernstein， through her memoir and her poetry （or verses）， courageously tells the story of her lifelong struggle with depression。 At the heart of this book is her compassion。 Bernstein is genuinely reaching out a hand to assure anyone who may be depressed or who feels out of place in the world that they are not alone。 In this way， the book is a wonderful resource， and spark of inspiration， for so many who are struggling， or may know someone who is。
BookTrib。com
，
These immensely personal pages of self-expression give us some understanding of the struggles Melissa has had with existential depression and anxiety and celebrate the light she has found to continue living with a purpose。 LIFELINES provides valuable insight from someone who has traveled the road to greater understanding of self and experienced all the feels。Read our full review and a Q&A with the author here:https://booktrib。com/2021/02/18/co-fo。。。 These immensely personal pages of self-expression give us some understanding of the struggles Melissa has had with existential depression and anxiety and celebrate the light she has found to continue living with a purpose。 LIFELINES provides valuable insight from someone who has traveled the road to greater understanding of self and experienced all the feels。Read our full review and a Q&A with the author here:https://booktrib。com/2021/02/18/co-fo。。。 。。。more
Meaghan Pannasch
，
Reading the verses in LifeLines truly makes me feel heard and not alone。 Melissa's story relates to so many out there， her beautiful words and verses are thought-provoking and extremely inspiring。 I really resonate with so much in there and feel comforted and hopeful， thank you Melissa for your courage :） Reading the verses in LifeLines truly makes me feel heard and not alone。 Melissa's story relates to so many out there， her beautiful words and verses are thought-provoking and extremely inspiring。 I really resonate with so much in there and feel comforted and hopeful， thank you Melissa for your courage :） 。。。more
Kyle Manley
，
This book is a wonderful voyage through the mind - each chapter tackling the feelings all of us have felt to varying degrees but then also matching it with wonderful poetry which puts words to the wordless。
David Yost
，
In LifeLines， Melissa Bernstein opens up about her life using photography， poetry， and prose。 She has found success in life by every exterior measure: She has been married to the same spouse for 30 years， has six children， and has gained great wealth from her toy business。 But on the inside， she suffers from anxiety and depression。Melissa has finally learned to deal with her life-long existential depression and， starting with this book， is reaching out to others who may be experiencing the same。 In LifeLines， Melissa Bernstein opens up about her life using photography， poetry， and prose。 She has found success in life by every exterior measure: She has been married to the same spouse for 30 years， has six children， and has gained great wealth from her toy business。 But on the inside， she suffers from anxiety and depression。Melissa has finally learned to deal with her life-long existential depression and， starting with this book， is reaching out to others who may be experiencing the same。 I do not share Melissa’s affliction。 But I found value in reading LifeLines just the same。 When I read on pages 435-436 how Melissa is a careful listener， that struck a chord with me。 I value being a good listener。 It’s not an easy job。 At that point in the book， I began to feel sympathy for Melissa and her struggles。Up to that point， I had a hard time reading this book。 The prose is often frustratingly pillowy and mystical。 I wanted more detail in her stories。 The poetry is， by Melissa’s own admission， sophomoric。 But changing the book to fit my expectations would be the same as Melissa changing her image of herself to fit her friends’ expectations。 That happens in two unhappy episodes in LifeLines， and I did not want it to happen a third time， not in my personal interaction with this book and， by extension， with Melissa。By way of full disclosure， I received a free， advance copy of LifeLines so I could write a review。 If I did not think this was a worthwhile book， I would have declined to write a review。 LifeLines is thought-provoking， and I am glad I read it。 。。。more
Howard W Rhee
，
A beautiful book， well written。 Melissa is courageous for putting herself out there， and the purpose is to connect with others who are experiencing a similar level of existential angst。 I imagine many lonely， tortured souls will find this book a light in the darkness。 And hopefully enough of a light to guide them out of the darkness and let their light shine for everyone！ I have referred back to the verses in the book to continue to inspire me， as I walk this journey。 Glad to know that someone e A beautiful book， well written。 Melissa is courageous for putting herself out there， and the purpose is to connect with others who are experiencing a similar level of existential angst。 I imagine many lonely， tortured souls will find this book a light in the darkness。 And hopefully enough of a light to guide them out of the darkness and let their light shine for everyone！ I have referred back to the verses in the book to continue to inspire me， as I walk this journey。 Glad to know that someone else has walked it， too。 。。。more
Marina
，
This book has provided me with a transformational experience that I am still going through。 I started it unsure of what to expect， but as I turn each page and dive deeper into the material I find myself exploring areas within that I never knew I could go to or needed to go to。 I recommend this book to everyone and anyone looking to explore their self and find a deeper purpose and meaning。
Aimee Connors
，
Until our sense of self Moves from the mind into the heart We will never find connection And remain our lives apart Melissa's words pulled me into her darkest， most desperate feelings as she described decades spent suffocating under the weight of her own thoughts。 Searching constantly for meaning and finally discovering that the only way "out" is a hard journey inward， she shares her story and her LifeLines， the verses she has written on her path to self-acceptance and equanimity。 The book is b Until our sense of self Moves from the mind into the heart We will never find connection And remain our lives apart Melissa's words pulled me into her darkest， most desperate feelings as she described decades spent suffocating under the weight of her own thoughts。 Searching constantly for meaning and finally discovering that the only way "out" is a hard journey inward， she shares her story and her LifeLines， the verses she has written on her path to self-acceptance and equanimity。 The book is beautiful and moving， filled with striking photos of nature paired with Melissa's prose and poetry as she unapologetically shares her whole self with the world。 。。。more
Darrin Lucas
，
Wow！ Want to explore the thoughts and feelings of an incredibly successful person？ THIS is the book for you。 By the way， it's NOT a roadmap to starting and building an incredible toy business。 It IS a walk through the torment and eventual road to salvation for Melissa Bernstein， co-founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug。 I came away realizing that my own inner journey was something I needed to initiate， and I'm walking that path now。 This book was brave and honest。 Read it。 It will change you Wow！ Want to explore the thoughts and feelings of an incredibly successful person？ THIS is the book for you。 By the way， it's NOT a roadmap to starting and building an incredible toy business。 It IS a walk through the torment and eventual road to salvation for Melissa Bernstein， co-founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug。 I came away realizing that my own inner journey was something I needed to initiate， and I'm walking that path now。 This book was brave and honest。 Read it。 It will change you forever。 。。。more
Schuyler
，
Lifelines is a beautiful book， both in terms of its written content， and its visual aesthetic。 Melissa， the author， is refreshingly vulnerable and able to communicate existentialism in easily digestible and relatable language。 Her verses are a reminder that we should， and need to， embrace the practices in our lives that are life-giving and soul-fillings， regardless of what the outside world thinks。 Her book has been an incredible source of inspiration and self-reflection for me， especially in re Lifelines is a beautiful book， both in terms of its written content， and its visual aesthetic。 Melissa， the author， is refreshingly vulnerable and able to communicate existentialism in easily digestible and relatable language。 Her verses are a reminder that we should， and need to， embrace the practices in our lives that are life-giving and soul-fillings， regardless of what the outside world thinks。 Her book has been an incredible source of inspiration and self-reflection for me， especially in regard to what it means to be creative， and to create in a world with uncertain meaning and purpose。 。。。more
Mary Nixon
，
Melissa’s book is a special gift to me after a very difficult year shared by the suffering of so many others。 It reflects ，in many ways， the teachings of Eckhart Tolle which have awakened me to the reality of life here on Earth。 The lifeline poems are especially helpful and inspiring。 Thank you so much
Jennifer
，
I highly recommend this book and believe Melissa’s message of finding her true self is one that will resonate with so many readers。 LifeLines is a vulnerable and heart-wrenching compilation of Melissa’s innermost thoughts and feelings， stunning photography and her own poetry collection。 Reading the book left me feeling connected with her story， as I was able to identify parts of myself with the experiences she so bravely shared。 Even though I’ve read LifeLines in its entirety， I find that I cont I highly recommend this book and believe Melissa’s message of finding her true self is one that will resonate with so many readers。 LifeLines is a vulnerable and heart-wrenching compilation of Melissa’s innermost thoughts and feelings， stunning photography and her own poetry collection。 Reading the book left me feeling connected with her story， as I was able to identify parts of myself with the experiences she so bravely shared。 Even though I’ve read LifeLines in its entirety， I find that I continue to pick it up just to reread a few paragraphs or a page of poetry - this is a book that will definitely be read again and again！ 。。。more
Debi Fishman
，
This book could not be coming at a more opportune time in the world， when our inner lives have become more magnified through all the issues surrounding the pandemic。This is a tale of a brave human being who， through her own “dark night of the soul，” has created a place for people in all walks of life to recognize themselves at various points in their own lives。。There is so much beauty in the poetry which Melissa has channelled through her journey and which expresses vividly the scope， breadth， a This book could not be coming at a more opportune time in the world， when our inner lives have become more magnified through all the issues surrounding the pandemic。This is a tale of a brave human being who， through her own “dark night of the soul，” has created a place for people in all walks of life to recognize themselves at various points in their own lives。。There is so much beauty in the poetry which Melissa has channelled through her journey and which expresses vividly the scope， breadth， and depth of her life thus far。Lifelines demonstrates the purpose behind all our experience， as tools from which we can learn and thrive。This book will teach， as well as support others in their own quests for meaning and would be an inspired gift for anyone。 。。。more
Erica Jago
，
The verses in this book are a brilliant design tool for better thinking; they are memorable and catchy， just what I needed to update my old， worn-out thoughts。 Melissa is a beautiful and powerful teacher。
Julia L。
，
There is so much to love about LifeLines， but what I appreciate most is that everyone will resonate with it in some shape or form。 The different volumes （Creativity， Loneliness， Nature， Powerlessness， Perfectionism and Martyrdom， The Futile Race， Hypocrisy and Duality， Curiosity and Possibility， Presence， and Liberation） cover such a myriad of emotions and experiences that serve as a beautiful reminder that none of us are alone （truly！）。 There is genuinely something to get out of this book no ma There is so much to love about LifeLines， but what I appreciate most is that everyone will resonate with it in some shape or form。 The different volumes （Creativity， Loneliness， Nature， Powerlessness， Perfectionism and Martyrdom， The Futile Race， Hypocrisy and Duality， Curiosity and Possibility， Presence， and Liberation） cover such a myriad of emotions and experiences that serve as a beautiful reminder that none of us are alone （truly！）。 There is genuinely something to get out of this book no matter who you are， where you come from， or what you have been through。 Not only is it beautiful visually， but Melissa's words and her prose are even more beautiful。 This is a must read， and it is something that I know I will continue coming back to for years and years to come， because there is a page in it for anything I could possibly be going through or feeling。 There are endless favorite lines to choose from， but the one most special to me is "A great novel isn't written/ Without drafts strewn on the floor/ Or a landscape formulated/ Without paint splattered before。。。" I have found myself reciting this line ever since I first read it in order to remind myself that I won't get everything right on the first try， nor do I need to。 Thank you， Melissa！ 。。。more
Anna Pogoda
，
It takes tremendous courage for Melissa to share with others her innermost thoughts， feelings and emotions。 LifeLines are about ongoing struggles in finding peace and happiness， both in external as well as internal life。 They do， however， transport you into a place where you feel support and find hope。 They guide you towards finding that spark to become， undeniably， your ultimate Best Self。
Loredana Trandu
，
Life Lines is a Life giving and Life changing book。 The author’s story told in such an honest， vulnerable and powerful way gives courage and hope to many people who struggled with over sensitivities and unhealthy coping mechanisms such as perfectionism， addictions and isolation 。 As a human living on this chaotic world and as a mental care clinician who has the privilege to support others， I recommend this book with all my heart - for it’s compelling message of emerging from darkness into light Life Lines is a Life giving and Life changing book。 The author’s story told in such an honest， vulnerable and powerful way gives courage and hope to many people who struggled with over sensitivities and unhealthy coping mechanisms such as perfectionism， addictions and isolation 。 As a human living on this chaotic world and as a mental care clinician who has the privilege to support others， I recommend this book with all my heart - for it’s compelling message of emerging from darkness into light and for the verses /life-lines that serve as brilliantly simple and powerful hands to hold on to when we feel like we are drawing in disappear。 Please read and share。 Loredana Trandu， LPC 。。。more
Alexandra Marie
，
This book is a gift - Melissa's vulnerability is magic， her words are stunning， and every inch of the page drips with love。 You can tell that so much thought and dedication went into this creation。 It's also a book that you can pick up and turn to anytime。 Or， I sometimes read this in the morning or at night。 Whenever you read it， it's always the perfect time， because no matter what you'll experience inner peace。 Thank you Melissa XX This book is a gift - Melissa's vulnerability is magic， her words are stunning， and every inch of the page drips with love。 You can tell that so much thought and dedication went into this creation。 It's also a book that you can pick up and turn to anytime。 Or， I sometimes read this in the morning or at night。 Whenever you read it， it's always the perfect time， because no matter what you'll experience inner peace。 Thank you Melissa XX 。。。more
Carole Stacey
，
If I needed to use just one word about this amazing book it would be "Inspirational"。 Through the written word Melissa leads us through her vulnerability and her journey in life and shows that there is a path to the "light at the end of the tunnel" by finding your own "Lifelines"。 The pages of my book are filled with post-its detailing words I found heartfelt， inspiring， sad and jaw-dropping as they resonated with me。 So many verses， with one in particular， made me just go "YES"。 Thank you Melis If I needed to use just one word about this amazing book it would be "Inspirational"。 Through the written word Melissa leads us through her vulnerability and her journey in life and shows that there is a path to the "light at the end of the tunnel" by finding your own "Lifelines"。 The pages of my book are filled with post-its detailing words I found heartfelt， inspiring， sad and jaw-dropping as they resonated with me。 So many verses， with one in particular， made me just go "YES"。 Thank you Melissa for this amazing book。 。。。more
Chetan
，
My favorite part of this book are the verses， or LifeLines。 I find that at the end of a long day， I can open up the book to the end of any section of the book， and read a LifeLine that helps me feel safe， sane or inspired。 The LifeLines are set against beautiful， colored photos （Note: This book is best experienced in print）， which provide visual inspiration to go alongside the written words。 And as Melissa explains， these LifeLines aren't poerty requiring higher-level thought to interpret and de My favorite part of this book are the verses， or LifeLines。 I find that at the end of a long day， I can open up the book to the end of any section of the book， and read a LifeLine that helps me feel safe， sane or inspired。 The LifeLines are set against beautiful， colored photos （Note: This book is best experienced in print）， which provide visual inspiration to go alongside the written words。 And as Melissa explains， these LifeLines aren't poerty requiring higher-level thought to interpret and decipher。 They are clear， simplified translations of her deepest fears， insights and unanswered questions -- I love that I can turn to any verse and immediately see if it resonates with me， without having to involve my "head" too much to decipher。 I also like the themes Melissa touches on in the book - some that resonated particularly strongly with me were perfectionism， nature， the futile race， creativity and presence。 I can honestly say that I'm more in touch with some of my creative pursuits， and how nature serves as a lifeline for me， as a result of reading this book。 I'm more apt to pause on a walk around a nearby pond， and observe the ripples， because I'm more aware of how nature grounds me。Here's a LifeLine that's currently inspiring me！With no intent to rushWe can revel in the hushThat arises when we stayIn the promise of today 。。。more
Joseph S。
，
An incredibly passionate and authentic look into one’s own self to find light and purpose in this beautiful and sometimes painful journey of life。 I love opening to a random page and I always seem to land on the poem or lesson that I need most at that time。 Grateful that Melissa has highlighted and embraced starting conversations around mental health and creativity。 Thank you。
Jennifer Blankfein
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Melissa Bernstein， the creative genius and co-founder of Melissa & Doug Toy Company， has bared her soul in her upcoming book， LifeLines。 （Available March 16th， pre-order today！） She has been struggling with existential depression and anxiety her entire life。 She was denying her despair， hiding it from the world and suppressing her overwhelmingly negative feelings and thoughts that were leading her to the brink of self destruction。 In LifeLines， An inspirational journey from profound darkness to Melissa Bernstein， the creative genius and co-founder of Melissa & Doug Toy Company， has bared her soul in her upcoming book， LifeLines。 （Available March 16th， pre-order today！） She has been struggling with existential depression and anxiety her entire life。 She was denying her despair， hiding it from the world and suppressing her overwhelmingly negative feelings and thoughts that were leading her to the brink of self destruction。 In LifeLines， An inspirational journey from profound darkness to radiant light， Melissa opens up and shares all that she has experienced， the challenges she has faced， and her hopes for the future。 Hundreds of rhyming verses included before and after each chapter， written by Melissa， beginning in early childhood and continuing through now， reveal her inner most feelings， biggest worries， and deepest thoughts， from very dark to increasingly positive and hopeful。 The beautiful book also includes volumes/chapters that speak to topics that have profound meaning for her; Creativity， Loneliness， Martyrdom and Perfectionism。 She shares personal stories and recollections of her thoughts at different times throughout her life， often based on childhood journal entries。 Also， printed in the book， are artful photographs of nature， something incredibly important to Melissa， as nature provides her great solace on difficult days and every day。These immensely personal pages of self expression give us some understanding of the struggles Melissa has had with existential depression and anxiety， and celebrate the light she has found to continue living with a purpose。 I highly recommend this book for everyone… anyone who feels or has felt depressed， anxious， or who knows someone who struggles， and anyone who is a partisan of self awareness， self expression， and the journey inward。 Self acceptance and greater understanding of others leads to more kindness， and LifeLines provides valuable insight from someone who has traveled a road to greater understanding of self and experienced all the feels。In addition to Melissa’s book， she， along with her husband， Doug， and the Lifelines team， have developed an exciting， and unique interactive ecosystem and warm community that lives at lifelines。com。 Here， with Melissa’s personal journey as a framework， you can create your own personal profile and embark on an inward journey to self understanding。 There is a virtual hike with stops along the way to leave your personal baggage behind， collect nuggets of wisdom and participate in activities that encourage mindfulness。 There are also opportunities to connect with others， experience nature and attend experiential workshops， all at no cost。 Lifelines。com ensures that You Are Not Alone and it is well worth visiting。 If you decide to stop in at Lifelines。com， please leave a comment here letting me know your thoughts！ Visit Book Nation by Jen for the full review and Q & A with Melissa。 https://booknationbyjen。com 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=LifeLines
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=LifeLines&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,LifeLines&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0