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Book Review & Giveaway: You Cannot Be Serious (Tips for Balance)

You Cannot Be SeriousUpdate: The winners for this giveaway have already been chosen:

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  • Laurie from Cuddle Hugs
  • Cyndi from So Much More Than a Mom

I have the utmost respect for mothers.

Their daily lives require an aptitude for all the qualities that make us good people: love, kindness, patience, generosity, and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of balance. If anyone knows chaos, it’s a mom.

With this in mind, I was thrilled to read Elizabeth Lyons’ book You Cannot Be Serious and 32 Other Rules That Sustain a (Mostly) Balanced Mom.

Make no mistake: I don’t have any children. Or friends with children. Or even access to children—there appear to be none in a fifteen-mile radius.

What I do have is a need for balance in a world that is never predictable and rarely calm.

Elizabeth’s book provides just the right anecdote, and it was so easy to relate to her reading it.

She’s not the high-waisted jeans kind of mom who fills her days with baking and gardening (through she does both). She’s the mom who runs her own business, writes her own rules, and still manages to run a household without any hired help.

Elizabeth outlines a series of steps to manage chaos without sacrificing joy in a fun, witty tone that translates across generations, and, I believe, even gender.

Every section includes profound yet accessible wisdom, exemplified through stories from her every day life. Glimpses into the innocence and antics of her five children—yes five!—make the book both entertaining and joyful.

Though many of the tips speak directly to moms, the majority contain wisdom for everyone. Some of my favorite tips include:

  • Fly your freak flag high
  • Have a dedicated treat of the moment
  • Go with your gut
  • Have no expectations (but expect the unexpected)
  • Know what inspires you

And then of course, there’s the titular rule: you cannot be serious. It’s not always easy to follow that suggestion when money is tight, relationships are tense, or times are tough, but never is it more important to focus on the good things.

Perhaps that’s what I loved most about You Cannot Be Serious: I smiled the entire time I read it. It’s a light, fun read that reminded me of what’s most important in life–spending quality time with family, being true to yourself, and finding joy in every day.

The Giveaway

If you’d like to find a little balance in your life, enter to win a copy! Here’s what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment below. Be sure to include an email address (in the comment form) that you check regularly so I can contact you if you win.

2. Tweet the following:

RT @tinybuddha You Cannot Be Serious Book Giveaway–Comment on the blog & RT to win! http://bit.ly/9agw7h

You can enter until midnight PST on Friday, June 11th. I will announce the winners on the following Monday.

If you can’t wait to get your hands on a copy, you can grab one here on Amazon.


FTC Disclosure: I receive complimentary books for reviews and interviews on tinybuddha.com, but I am not compensated for writing or obligated to write anything specific. I am an Amazon affiliate, meaning I earn a percentage of all books purchased through the links I provide on this site.

About Lori Deschene

Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.

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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Chuck and kurio's resource, Benjamin Hogue. Benjamin Hogue said: Book Review & Giveaway: You Cannot Be Serious (Tips for Balance): by Lori Deschene “Don’t take life too ser… http://bit.ly/cje2uo #wisdom […]

Matthew Hosmer

Looks like a great book, hope to win, will buy if I don't! (mhosmer@gmail.com)

Lisa McConnell
Lisa McConnell

Would love to read your book. I could use all the help I can get right now!

Hugo Gomes
Hugo Gomes

I would love to read it!!

(hgom3s@gmail.com)

Kavin

Looks amazing, i would love to have this book.

(avengerkay@gmail.com)

Jess
Jess

I would love to read and have this book! (jessica.gambacurta [at] gmail.com)

Will
Will

Hi Lori! That was a pretty cool book review you gave there. I'd love to win the book so I can read it and absorb much needed wisdom that I can apply to my life! (the_kobe_21@hotmail.com)

jessica
jessica

I want!

jessica
jessica

I want!

Kim
Kim

I desire it not just want it 😉

Benjirowell
Benjirowell

I need a new book and this could be the perfect choice!

Adrienne Wellington
Adrienne Wellington

Sounds like a fantastic read! Namaste…

Krishnamurthy

I would love to have this book because I am a ardent book reader and admirer.

Hannah
Hannah

Sounds like a very inspirational book, I'd love to read it and then share the wisdom!

Long Nguyen

Speaking of mothers, Jet Li delivers a great, strong, heartfelt message about parents in this video: http://youtu.be/aO4ZA1qA_O8

I think you will like it, Lori.

Esteban Ortiz
Esteban Ortiz

Best quote ever specially on since its on my favorit movie van wilder hope to win the book.

Vicky
Vicky

Would love this book!!

psychvb@gmail.com

Teresa
Teresa

This book would be perfect for my pregnant sister who is struggling with balance in her life!

EvaEvolving
EvaEvolving

Oh, I must add this to my summer reading list! Thanks for the recommendation. And starting today, I'm going to try implementing that tip: You cannot be serious!

Jacki

This mama needs all the help she can get to not take it* too serious and to achieve some sort of balanced .
* it = under-employed adult offspring still in the nest

Steffi
Steffi

I need some b
al
a
nce
in my life and some laughs 😀

Rich Heltzel
Rich Heltzel

Would make a great gift for my Mother on her birthday!

Cyndi

This book sounds perfect for me! Thanks for the great giveaway.

Donn
Donn

Sound quite useful/inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

Barbara
Barbara

I need this book because I am a single mom in need of balance!

Kelly M.
Kelly M.

Have to read it just because I love the line “Fly your freak flag high”. Awesome!

Kaylan

Can't wait to get my hands on this, whether it be through winning the giveaway or ordering it with overnight shipping from Amazon!

Rachel

This would be great to have – my job can make my life so hectic – definitely need help with life balance!

Laurie

Please enter me in this great giveaway! I am a mom to 6 and could surely use balance!

Debbie
Debbie

Sounds like something I could relate to! Thanks.

Katt Clark
Katt Clark

Would love to have something like this handy here at work!

HelSauce
HelSauce

I am serious.. I do want it

Sharon Ogle

Even though my children are adults now, I never stop worrying about them, I never stop striving to be a better mom, I can't possibly love them any more than I already do and I never get tired of what they have given me every single day of my life. Humor, heartache, pride, love and a whole slew of other wonderful emotions. I can't wait to read another woman's version of the juggling act we call Motherhood and what brings her peace and balance through it all. Good advice through an amusing voice is a gift.

Deanna
Deanna

I am looking forward to reading Elizabeth’s as much as my daily check-ins on the tinybuddha blog : )

Emily
Emily

The tips alone are helpful in everyday life. Expect the unexpected =) Would like a copy please!

Annie
Annie

Sounds like a good book to pick up and read as a nice reminder to NOT take life so seriously. Hope to win a copy!

Paula
Paula

love this idea and would love to read the book

Margaret
Margaret

I would love this book, I am too serious of a person!! =)

Coleen
Coleen

I am in South Africa and we are learning to take life less personally and seriously everyday. I am teaching my children that love and laughter is abundant even when everything else is in short supply.

Maggie
Maggie

I, myself, have 4 children, mostly grown and truer words have not been spoken than not to be too serious. Would love to own the book.

Maggie
Maggie

email to sassybaruch yahoo.com

Theresa Jackson
Theresa Jackson

As a first time Mom going through a very rough divorce after enduring an abusive relationship that began when I got pregnant ( my daughter is now 2 1/2) I can use all the uplifting, enlightening, information and wisdom I can get. I'd love to win a copy because finances are tight as I get started on my own but I might have to just buy a copy!

Jernej
Jernej

Even though I'm a man I am very curious about this book.

Marcia
Marcia

This sounds like a wonderful read.

Bethsaida
Bethsaida

RT You Cannot Be Serious Book Giveaway–Comment on the blog & RT to win! http://bit.ly/9agw7h

Bethsaida
Bethsaida

RT You Cannot Be Serious Book Giveaway–Comment on the blog & RT to win! http://bit.ly/9agw7h

Ashley
Ashley

LOVE this book! Would love to have it!!!

Laura

I've got two kids who often feel like a dozen. I think this book is going to be a must read!

Hannah
Hannah

I think I take life wayyyyy too seriously and my friends say so too.. So I think I would definitely benefit from reading this book =]

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