The Art of Trapeze: One Woman's Journey of Soaring, Surrendering, and Awakening (The Awakening Consciousness Series)

Were it not for, what seems to me, a lack of editing and an over the bigtop spiritual self-empowerment movement ring to the conclusion, I would have given this journalistic account of the author's experiences in her early adult life five stars, especially the Parisian segments. I could have happily been spared the lengthy elaboration of her depressions in North Carolina and upon her return to the USA. I enjoyed much of her story telling and I share many of her perceptions about life, spirit, trust, living in the moment, seizing opportunity, persevering and so on. I also speak French and have lived in Europe as an American. Between wordy passages that in my opinion should have been reduced by about 80 percent, and which I could skim over without missing a thing, are tremendously engaging accounts of the author's finding footing, peppered with translated French phrases and insight and advice about French culture, all expressed with charm, wit and wisdom. I loved the story of apartment hunting in Paris. Copy editing is also lacking. I found many many instances of typos - for example location 1383 "It's allll..." Yes, four "l's." Or at location 3457: "For the true purpose of our trip: o make friends with the locals." From location 5535 to 5657 the author used the word energy or a variation of it at least 20 times.At first I expected the metaphor of the trapeze to be more than simply that, a metaphor. I was disappointed. It seemed to me to have been inserted as an after thought in an effort to unify the narrative. I was glad when the author returned to the concept at location 4653 in her explanation of "finding top." She also ends the book with it. Nice idea though and the book surely needed something to give it a literary touch. Otherwise the book would fall flat and be really no more than a very long blog in print/ebook form. I find it a bit frustrating to sing the praises of the book because for every wonderful bit, there is something that irritates. Here is an example. Molly had a storybook romance in Paris that even involved some living together but she never once divulged any details of the sexual relationship! The reader was treated to elaborate minutiae about the author's deep feelings for her cats and the trials of having them, but her lover/boyfriend seemed one-dimensionally portrayed, almost a prop to the author's romantic notions about men and relationships. The scene that gave me insight to what may be a strong narcissistic vein in the author's personality is when Turhan came as her date to a holiday party at the American Embassy and discovered he was the only man there not wearing a tie. Molly's lack of empathy for his self-conscious embarrassment and her waving his distress in his face embarrassed me for him and for her and took her character down several notches in my estimation. The slow and cold break up after that came as no surprise, yet Molly in all her upset never seemed to acknowledge her own role in the demise. Her departure from Europe was an anti-climax to say the least. Better turn to spiritual beliefs and personal empowerment than to delve into one's own shortcomings? The end of the book became gushing in tone and the fairytale wedding at the conclusion only serves to further reinforce my suspicions, much as I find Molly McCord endearing.

A very satisfying memoir, with a bit of everything that I love. Travel, animals,self discovery, love andspiritual awakening. Molly after having gone through quite a bit of ups and downs, in her life and choices, decides she is going to leave the familiar and applies to graduate school in Paris. She is definitely a person, not afraid to try new things and to be good at them. Part of the spiritual journey to me was when faced with a problem or having one that does not go away she, would look within and changes her thought pattern, sending out different energy.From school to working part time at the American Embassy, to her romance with a handsome Turkish fellow student, to bringing her cats over from the USA, she had me right there in the story with her. Such wonderful visuals of her life, beautifully written.One piece where the visual impact was great was when she was sitting in Notre Dame on a rainy day, without many people around, thinking about her life and states that she is seeing prayers. One piece of it that I loved, is where she says: " I closed my eyes and felt them swishing through my hair, whisper in my ears and kiss my skin. They twirled around my legs, rubbed against my arms, and then coasted over to the next warm body with comfort and ease." Just a small portion of what she described, but one that I found beautiful.I think we all come away from this story with having found something within ourselves or a feeling that there is something we need to still accomplish. The Art of Trapeze, to be able to delve into your dreams and opportunities, the choices you want to make, and being brave enough to try them.Loved this story.

"A true teacher will never give you the answers to the tests, but they will support you in figuring out the answers for yourself because that is how you connect with your own power."This empowering quote from Molly McCord's amazing new memoir The Art of Trapeze: One Woman's Journey of Soaring, Surrendering, and Awakening perfectly captures the essence of the message so bravely portrayed in this book.In true-life illustration after illustration, Molly recounts her journey from the United States into the great unknown of Paris, complete with cultural clashes, catch-22 scenarios, and blessings in disguise. All along, her fierce determination and belief in herself never fails her as she chases her Heart to the heart of her true Self.Beautifully written, charmingly funny--even hilarious--and remarkably open, honest, and down-to-earth, Ms. McCord has gifted us with a pure example of how life can be such a beautiful, grand adventure, even when things seem a bit muddy. She demonstrates so simply that even the slow times are a necessary piece of the whole in life. As she puts it, "...being alone does not mean being lonely. Being still does not mean being boring. Being quiet does not mean being unexciting..."I highly recommend The Art of Trapeze to the young and old, male and female alike.You will not be disappointed.--Lloyd Matthew Thompson, Author of The Galaxy Healer's Guide, Lightworker: A Call to Authenticity, and The Energy Anthology

I loved most of the book except where Molly refers back to her past which I found irrelevant.

Loved joining Molly on her journey. This book is thought provoking and life enhancing, my essential being felt well fed and enriched.

Snooze alert. Skip this book and move on to the second book. I have read stories like this before, most notably, "Eat, Pray, Love," and this is no Eat, Pray, Love. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............. It's like watching a movie that you paid full price for, and the whole time, you are forcing yourself to sit through it because you paid full price for it. Then, when you leave, you are filled with regret at life, money and time wasted, and thinking that you should have just waited for it to come on Netflix so you could have turned it off in the first five minutes. Sorry, Molly, your later work is quantum leaps better!

Amazingly enchanting book, couldn't put it down until I had finished it.Articulate and amusing,very enjoyable read, I feel I know Molly so well now :-)Highly recommended