This or Something Better: A Memoir of Resilience

Elisa Stancil Levines's 2017 Sonoma Complex fire changed her life, leading her to question her early childhood trauma and seek solace in nature. Her book, This or Something Better, explores how nature shaped her character and career, but also sparked a quest for true healing. It invites readers to consider their own path toward wholeness and authenticity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: She Writes Press

Elisa Stancil Levines life was irrevocably altered when the Sonoma Complex fire erupted on her doorstep in 2017. The devastating fire, which engulfed thousands of acres, had a profound impact on the world-class decorative artist. However, it was her reaction that night that shattered her previously believed-to-be-overcome early childhood trauma. Elisa, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, had thought she had dealt with her past experiences. But when she fled the midnight firestorm without alerting a single neighbor, she was left questioning herself: Who would do such a thing?

In her memoir, This or Something Better, Elisa delves into her past and explores the one constant source of solace and kinship in her life: the wild river. Nature, her lifelong ally, provided solace during difficult times, including her teenage pregnancy, the stillbirth of her baby, and a mystical near-death experience at the age of eighteen. Nature had shaped her character and later influenced her successful career. However, she wondered if there were unintended consequences to her reliance on nature.

The firestorm's fresh trauma ignited a quest: what treasure awaited if Elisa learned to trust human nature? This or Something Better is a vivid, poetic, and intimate exploration of the process of true healing, which occurs one exquisite layer at a time. It invites readers to consider their own paths toward wholeness and authenticity.

Elisa's journey is filled with raw emotions and personal revelations. She shares her struggles with trust, vulnerability, and the fear of rejection. Through her art, she seeks to connect with others and find meaning in her life. Her artwork reflects her journey, with each piece representing a step toward healing and self-discovery.

This or Something Better is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of nature. It reminds us that healing is a lifelong process and that we can find solace and strength in the natural world. Elisa's story is a reminder that we all have the capacity for growth and healing, and that it is never too late to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 139 x 215 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647423612