I have admired @ohhappydani‘s work for years on Instagram. As an “artivist,” she uses her talents in graphic design and public speaking to advocate for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). Her art is not only beautiful but also meaningful, aimed at educating and inspiring everyday advocates.

My Danielle Coke Balfour collection includes some of her iconic stickers, a poster promoting unity, and her highly anticipated 2024 calendar. But I’ve been most eager to get my hands on her new book, A Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well. It’s exactly the uplifting and motivating read we need right now.

What makes this book so special is that it’s universally appealing, deeply insightful, and highly motivational.

"Change is possible when we decide that moving forward toward human flourishing and true redemption is a worthy pursuit."

Universally Appealing
A Heart on Fire is a stunning picture book for grown-ups, full of vivid designs that build empathy and spark ideas for taking action. Balfour uses color, text and imagery masterfully to make complex social issues relatable and understandable. Her art serves as a bridge, inviting everyday people into important conversations about fairness and inclusion.

Deeply Insightful
The book contains 100 meditations conversational in tone, so readers will feel Balfour speaking directly to them. Her personal stories and wisdom on topics from self-care to racism challenge readers to examine their values and take action aligned with them.

Highly Motivational
Balfour’s passion for spreading more happiness radiates from every page. Her art and writing are presented as an invitation to readers to reflect and grow into more informed, empathetic people.

Conclusion
A Heart on Fire would make a thoughtful gift, especially for those not already engaged in diversity and justice issues. It uses a creative, non-threatening approach to introduce these critical topics. With its universal appeal, profound insights, and motivational spirit, this book can ignite meaningful change. I highly recommend it.

This is a guide to the Ten Pillars of a Life on Good Work. The ideas of justice, empathy, hope, community, love, consistency, awareness, creativity, honesty and redemption are discussed in an actionable format as to what you can do to make the world a better place overall.

Oh, I love everything Danielle does! She’s a great example of sharing your gifts and using them to bless others.

This book would be lovely to have on your shelf to flip through every once in a while. And it’d make a great gift!

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the e-arc!

I have followed Oh Happy Dani for a long time, and I've purchased several pieces of her artwork over the years. I jumped at the chance to read a digital version of A Heart on Fire, and I'm so glad I did. I definitely want to go back through the book slowly and reflect on each entry as I go. Can't wait to get a hard copy!

I plan on reading through this over the course of the remainder of the year as a daily/weekly meditation practice. However, I did read through a lot of the content and I am very excited to be including this is my daily routine for the new few weeks. I will definitely be sharing this book with like minded friends.