A trip to the grocery store. A day spent shopping for new jeans. While we may see these tasks as mundane, even tedious, these are just two things the Toni Bernhard is no longer able to do.
With an illness that keeps her mostly confined to bed, Bernhard, a longtime Buddhist practitioner,shares her story by writing through the pain and exhaustion that each day brings. Her first book, How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers began as a manual for herself, but she soon realized they were words others needed to hear. The work won two Nautilus Book Awards: a gold medal in self-help/psychology and a silver medal in memoir. It was also named one of the "Best Books of 2010" by Spirituality and Practice magazine.
Her second book, How to Wake Up: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide to Navigating Joy and Sorrow, coincides with her increased presence on social media, and a life now spent interacting with sick individuals all over the world. Her blog “Turning Straw Into Gold” is published on Psychology Today's website.
Now her third book, How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide,offers patients and caregivers a new perspective on finding acceptance for what is and finding a path in the search for well-being.
