Phosphorescence: On Awe, Wonder and Things that Sustain You When the World Goes Dark
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- Create Date：2021-04-30 06:53:25
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Julia Baird
- ISBN：1460757157
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Summary
A beautiful， intimate and inspiring investigation into how we can find and nurture within ourselves that essential quality of internal happiness - the 'light within' that Julia Baird calls 'phosphorescence' - which will sustain us even through the darkest times。
Over the last decade， we have become better at knowing what brings us contentment， well-being and joy。 We know， for example， that there are a few core truths to science of happiness。 We know that being kind and altruistic makes us happy， that turning off devices， talking to people， forging relationships， living with meaning and delving into the concerns of others offer our best chance at achieving happiness。 But how do we retain happiness？ It often slips out of our hands as quickly as we find it。 So， when we are exposed to， or learn， good things， how do we continue to burn with them？
And more than that， when our world goes dark， when we're overwhelmed by illness or heartbreak， loss or pain， how do we survive， stay alive or even bloom？ In the muck and grit of a daily existence full of disappointments and a disturbing lack of control over many of the things that matter most - finite relationships， fragile health， fraying economies， a planet in peril - how do we find， nurture and carry our own inner， living light - a light to ward off the darkness？
Absorbing， achingly beautiful， inspiring and deeply moving， Julia Baird has written exactly the book we need for these times。
Over the last decade， we have become better at knowing what brings us contentment， well-being and joy。 We know， for example， that there are a few core truths to science of happiness。 We know that being kind and altruistic makes us happy， that turning off devices， talking to people， forging relationships， living with meaning and delving into the concerns of others offer our best chance at achieving happiness。 But how do we retain happiness？ It often slips out of our hands as quickly as we find it。 So， when we are exposed to， or learn， good things， how do we continue to burn with them？
And more than that， when our world goes dark， when we're overwhelmed by illness or heartbreak， loss or pain， how do we survive， stay alive or even bloom？ In the muck and grit of a daily existence full of disappointments and a disturbing lack of control over many of the things that matter most - finite relationships， fragile health， fraying economies， a planet in peril - how do we find， nurture and carry our own inner， living light - a light to ward off the darkness？
Absorbing， achingly beautiful， inspiring and deeply moving， Julia Baird has written exactly the book we need for these times。
Reviews
Erika Siabatto
，
Stunning book。 Quite touching and heartfelt， very helpful if you’re going through a dark patch or get the blues。 Highly recommend
Kylie Anderson
，
I really enjoyed this book。 Lots to think about and ponder。
Jennifer Dixon
，
This book is an utter delight for all the senses - even the hard cover glows and shines。 Inside， are a myriad of fascinating， surprising， and enlightening facts。 I loved this extremely well written expose of all manner of things interspersed with the author's own account of some very challenging issues。 It is clear that the author cares a great deal about the planet and takes every opportunity to engage with it in a meaningful way。 I cannot rate this book highly enough。 This book is an utter delight for all the senses - even the hard cover glows and shines。 Inside， are a myriad of fascinating， surprising， and enlightening facts。 I loved this extremely well written expose of all manner of things interspersed with the author's own account of some very challenging issues。 It is clear that the author cares a great deal about the planet and takes every opportunity to engage with it in a meaningful way。 I cannot rate this book highly enough。 。。。more
Tara Alemany
，
Based on the description of this book， I had hoped to read more about the author's personal experiences， and how her fascination with phosphorescence helped her through challenging and dark times。Unfortunately， this read more like a choppy collection of essays related to various things of importance to the author and loosely related to light vs dark。 While the facts she shared were interesting， our worldviews are different。 So some things she spoke vigorously for or against were contrary to my o Based on the description of this book， I had hoped to read more about the author's personal experiences， and how her fascination with phosphorescence helped her through challenging and dark times。Unfortunately， this read more like a choppy collection of essays related to various things of importance to the author and loosely related to light vs dark。 While the facts she shared were interesting， our worldviews are different。 So some things she spoke vigorously for or against were contrary to my own thinking on the same topics， which is fine， but means there was a lot that just didn't resonate with me。And much of that never gets tied back into "how we， as people， persevere through the most challenging circumstances。" It was more a statement that we do， not how we can do so gracefully or more meaningfully。 While she explores the thoughts and ideas that helped her on her own journey， I found the writing to be more philosophical than inspirational。 In the end， it was just hard to connect with， as much as I'd hoped to。If you are hoping to read a memoir， keep looking。 This book isn't one， even though the description reads as if it is。 I learned more about the author's illness from the book description than from the book itself。 However， if you enjoy reading books about nature and the impact it can have on the human spirit， there are certainly some interesting ideas here。 Ultimately， this book wasn't for me。 I found it a challenge to finish and kept finding my reading interrupted by other books that caught and held my attention much better。 However， I do thank NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advance review copy of this book。 。。。more
Adele
，
I enjoyed it。 It was like reading lots of inspiring columns from the Good Weekend and I always like to see how people deal with adversity in their lives。 For some reason I wasn’t keen on the letters to her children。
Michael
，
Julia Baird was another inspiring guest of Adelaide's Writer's Week book festival in Feb/March。 I really enjoyed her talk and put in a request at the local library for the book。 I can say that the inscription on the cover: "on awe， wonder & things that Sustain you when the world goes dark" is basically what the book is about。 Ms Baird is a cancer survivor， not once， not twice， but three times。 In one of her operations she came close to dying。 And the book is that search for the light within and Julia Baird was another inspiring guest of Adelaide's Writer's Week book festival in Feb/March。 I really enjoyed her talk and put in a request at the local library for the book。 I can say that the inscription on the cover: "on awe， wonder & things that Sustain you when the world goes dark" is basically what the book is about。 Ms Baird is a cancer survivor， not once， not twice， but three times。 In one of her operations she came close to dying。 And the book is that search for the light within and her discovery of living objects that are luminous: glow-worms， squid， sharks， fish， fireflies among others。 In ancient writing there is numerous references of the sea being on fire and sparking。 The book is an excellent reminder to pay attention， be present in the moment and seek awe in the natural surroundings。 She finds it in daily swims in the ocean near her home on the North Shore of Sydney。 She initially found it and developed a love of the ancient cuttlefish， which abounds in the waters around Australia。 Ms Baird has also spent time living in New York City both as a child and later as a journalist。 And like her I found awe and joy in walking the streets of NYC during and immediately after the rare snow storms that can blanket the city in a covering of white。 Where traffic and many artificial sounds stop。 She also describes how silence at times is essential for our well being。 And the need to cultivate friendships and avoid negative energy draining people。 She advises her children to avoid spending too much time on their phones and tablets and rather get together physically with their friends。 I really enjoyed her discussion of religion and how those 'spiritual' who get the most attention seem more intent of preaching hatred instead of love and also seems to be how many mainstream religions have gravitated。 Love is the message of all religions if you dive into them， not violence or judgement。 And that resonates with me， as it is what I believe。 She describes faith as: "A desire to learn how to love better in the face of my countless flaws and constant stuff-ups。 A desire to do justice， to love mercy， to walk humbly。" 。。。more
Jennifer McIntyre
，
This book made me want to dive into the ocean in search of phosphorus lights or drive across our country chasing storm clouds。 It made me want to seek out silence in our noise polluted world and scream at those shaming women who have worked for the right to be called Dr。 This book was so beautifully written and made me feel such an array of emotions。
Marcela
，
I couldn't connect with this book， to me the book was a compilation of different essays and not really much of a link between them。 I had to force myself to finish the book。 It has some sentences or paragraphs which resonate with me but that's it。 I couldn't connect with this book， to me the book was a compilation of different essays and not really much of a link between them。 I had to force myself to finish the book。 It has some sentences or paragraphs which resonate with me but that's it。 。。。more
Tess Carrad
，
Food for thought。 And lots of lovely thoughts。 A very personal reflection on the trials and joys of life in essay form。
Ngarie
，
I really enjoyed the personal and conversational narrative style of this book。 She explores ideas surrounding the positive and healing effects of being out in nature， supporting those around us， finding stillness， quiet and calm， and finding awe and beauty in the world around us。
Siena
，
What did I learn？- You're not ~beautiful~ and that's okay。- I want to wander into Stoicism and more philosophy/- Religion as a practice helps to live a measured and intentional life。 What did I learn？- You're not ~beautiful~ and that's okay。- I want to wander into Stoicism and more philosophy/- Religion as a practice helps to live a measured and intentional life。 。。。more
Sue Amico
，
Beautifully written; inspiring。
Caitlin Sharp
，
There were some beautiful parts of this book， so I am glad I read it。 I enjoyed the first couple of chapters especially; where she covered a number of scientific studies into things like awe and time in nature and how they can positively impact outlook / psyche / mental health。 The rest of the book I thought was just ok， but still had interesting or enlightening morsels peppered within。 Maybe I just felt like that because I don’t usually read non fiction。
Sally Balhorn
，
I enjoyed parts of this book but mostly I found it quite dull and a bit smarmy。 Wouldn’t recommend
Andrea B
，
Delightful and thought-provoking read。 Will read it again now to soak up some of the gems in there。
Jo-anne
，
A friend raved about this book。 So I thought I'd give it a go。 It didn't really capture my attention like I hoped it would。 It was very hard to get into。 A friend raved about this book。 So I thought I'd give it a go。 It didn't really capture my attention like I hoped it would。 It was very hard to get into。 。。。more
Cheryl Rosario
，
On reflection， this beautifully written and well researched book has given me reason to pause。 Julia Baird has put into words and practise what I wish I'd concluded years ago。 I rejoiced when my children began to question there faith and have found myself asking questions also， though I doubt the questions of youth will be similar to what I'm asking of those in power and leadership。 I have learnt to question all I see， and haven't been surprised to conclude that I don't believe in the opinions o On reflection， this beautifully written and well researched book has given me reason to pause。 Julia Baird has put into words and practise what I wish I'd concluded years ago。 I rejoiced when my children began to question there faith and have found myself asking questions also， though I doubt the questions of youth will be similar to what I'm asking of those in power and leadership。 I have learnt to question all I see， and haven't been surprised to conclude that I don't believe in the opinions of others as they dismiss people they consider inferior。I agree with Baird that we have all been made equal， and therefore should be treated as such。I admit to finding wonder and awe on a daily basis and have often experienced the goosebumps Baird speaks of just in my neighbourhood。 It's in the little things that awe and wonder surfaces。 。。。more
Michelle Peters
，
I loved this book。 It seemed a little jumpy and had a big theme of Christianity which I have differing opinions but I simultaneously did not want to put the book down and wanted it to last - to savour it。
Mikayla Imrie
，
Phosphorescence started of beautifully， a mesmerising rendition of the importance of nature in helping us through life’s toughest times。 I failed to resonate with the second half of the book， finding the chapters disjointed， especially the letters to her children。 Overall a gentle book on finding beauty in the tough times。
Roslyn
，
I couldn't get past the first few chapters of this book。 I found the content pretty turgid and couldn't get a grip on the genre or purpose。 I couldn't get past the first few chapters of this book。 I found the content pretty turgid and couldn't get a grip on the genre or purpose。 。。。more
Agi Luczak
，
Started so strong – the title and the cover are gorgeous。 The first few chapters were also very engaging - especially in audio as I walked the nature reserve near our house in the final weeks of lockdown。 The time spent in Indigenous Communities， Baird’s personal survival story and personal writing style were all highlights。 And I feel a bit bad saying this， but it just got a little too same same as the story went on…。finishing off with a pet peeve – a letter to the children （eye roll）。 I didn’t Started so strong – the title and the cover are gorgeous。 The first few chapters were also very engaging - especially in audio as I walked the nature reserve near our house in the final weeks of lockdown。 The time spent in Indigenous Communities， Baird’s personal survival story and personal writing style were all highlights。 And I feel a bit bad saying this， but it just got a little too same same as the story went on…。finishing off with a pet peeve – a letter to the children （eye roll）。 I didn’t mind it but I haven’t recommended it to anyone。 。。。more
Julie Cohen
，
I'm not sure what I expected from it， but this book gave me much more。 A collection of reflections on life， friendship， faith， and the magic of the natural world， this book has helped me see the world in a new light and given me the fuel to provide support to someone else navigating their own darkness。 It won't be for everyone， but for those who sometimes struggle to look up and savour the good moments， there are some gems here。 I'm not sure what I expected from it， but this book gave me much more。 A collection of reflections on life， friendship， faith， and the magic of the natural world， this book has helped me see the world in a new light and given me the fuel to provide support to someone else navigating their own darkness。 It won't be for everyone， but for those who sometimes struggle to look up and savour the good moments， there are some gems here。 。。。more
George
，
I had this book recommended to me by a few people。 I knew it was a memoir， but was more drawn in by the discussion of phosphorescence （spot the sci-phile） than anything else。 The memoir was written by Dr Julia Baird whose work I wasn't aware of。 The book skirts over the ideas of phosphorescence as a metaphor for being in life。 Baird does a reasonable job in linking it to her life， but often feels like someone writing out of their field spouting facts and figures without much depth to what she wa I had this book recommended to me by a few people。 I knew it was a memoir， but was more drawn in by the discussion of phosphorescence （spot the sci-phile） than anything else。 The memoir was written by Dr Julia Baird whose work I wasn't aware of。 The book skirts over the ideas of phosphorescence as a metaphor for being in life。 Baird does a reasonable job in linking it to her life， but often feels like someone writing out of their field spouting facts and figures without much depth to what she was writing about。 I was going to give the book a solid 3/5 until the last third of the book where she reflects more directly on her own experiences， finding awe in life and her overcoming challenges in her own life。 I'd prefer to give it a 3。5/5， but bumped it up to a 4。 。。。more
Amanda Johnston
，
My interest in the book ebbed and flowed。 I loved some chapters， found others blah。 I liked the stitching together of research， factoids and anecdotes。
Marysia
，
This book contains several diverse and varying ideas， all around the central themes of internal and external light。 A different book from what I would normally gravitate towards， however not disappointed at all。 A great Australian/American author。
Cat Matson
，
I've become sceptical of anything in the personal growth genre 。。。 So much of it reeks of narcissism or total impracticality。But this book， received as a gift， truly was。 Beautifully written， lyrically， but also economically 。。。 A beautiful reminder of the luminescence in all of us， and in nature and humanity 。。。 And we simply have to be present to it to nurture it。 I've become sceptical of anything in the personal growth genre 。。。 So much of it reeks of narcissism or total impracticality。But this book， received as a gift， truly was。 Beautifully written， lyrically， but also economically 。。。 A beautiful reminder of the luminescence in all of us， and in nature and humanity 。。。 And we simply have to be present to it to nurture it。 。。。more
Daydreamer
，
One of the best books I've ever read。 So comforting and awe-inspiring。 One of the best books I've ever read。 So comforting and awe-inspiring。 。。。more
Julie Johnson
，
The cover of the book is lovely。 The inside whilst most of these things I already knew Julia’s way with words were beautiful。
Kathy I
，
A lot of hype for not enough substance。 I don't think it's particularly revealing to share insights that nature or fresh air or periods of silence can improve your mental health。 Not enough substance for the hype。 A lot of hype for not enough substance。 I don't think it's particularly revealing to share insights that nature or fresh air or periods of silence can improve your mental health。 Not enough substance for the hype。 。。。more
Brian Rothbart
，