I would like to begin today by speaking about my dreams and the people who helped me realize them! My first job out of college was working for Saatchi & Saatchi in New York City. We shared a building with the most respected publishing house, Penguin, now Penguin Random House. Every day I would ride up and down the elevator with editors carrying their black book bags with the signature penguin figure in prominent view. The dream was born here. Flash forward five years, I spent a year writing a daily reflection about my tragic, yet, soul-expanding experience as a mother with a child with stage 4 cancer. Three years later, I enrolled at Vanderbilt Divinity School and switched gears to writing academic papers. During this time, I would self-publish three books, The Pocket Cathedral being my favorite. I would also meet Margaret Riley (now Margaret Riley King), an up-and-coming literary agent (now partner at WME!). If you know Margaret, you know that if she believes in you, she will fight for you! Here we are over twenty years later with a book that we are both proud of, published by an incredible team at Convergent/Penguin Random House.

This book was not written on a rose-petaled path. Soulfull was born from deep experience, hard-won hope, diligent labor, brave creativity and an indefatigable dream. What I have learned from my big dream is I need to do a better job trusting God’s timing. Our world could really use a word of hope right now and Soulfull offers just that! There is no way to adequately express my gratitude in black print. But you will know when you cross my path. It’s the glow of accomplishment of a dream and more importantly the hope for helping others on the journey!

I relish my role as an encourager on the sidelines of your life! Every single one of us, every single day, needs hope. Life may break our hearts over and over again. Soulfull offers approachable ways to find the soul-hope one needs to endure, and dogmatically prevail against all odds. Soulfull offers my reflections, some relatable prayers, and creative nudges to grasp, even taste hope in life.

The goal is to not just make it through, but to make this one precious life of ours sacred. Faced with the encroachment of technology and social media, the 24/7 media cycle of doom and gloom, and the complexity of simply being human in this challenging world, we have to commit to discovering creative ways to pull a bit of heaven down to our little patches of earth. In writing Soulfull, I aim to meet you where you are and fill up your unique soul so you’ll face the world with open arms and with a heart for whatever beautiful, sacred dream God has for you next.

Soulfull is for all craving a deeper spiritual life. It’s for my “hanging by a thread,” over-committed and stressed-out friends who need new rhythms of peace and joy. Soulfull will be savored by my foodies and home chefs who appreciate a yummy recipe and the beautiful life that happens around the table. Be prepared for tons of activities to usher in more joy in your life! Soulfull is especially for those who just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other. What I can promise you is joy, peace, and hope are to be found on every single page. My hope is that Soulfull will become a trusted resource that you return to over and over again for encouragement and inspiration. Soulfull is also a meaningful gift that you can feel really good about for friends, family, co-workers, or anyone who needs a touch of hope.

To my Bread and Honey community, thank you so much for continuing to show up for me every Monday morning for fifteen years!! This book was written with you on my heart!

Much love,

Farrell

You can order SOULFULL for yourself and for those you love here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717385/soulfull-by-farrell-mason/