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93rd out of 98 books
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87 voters
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Life Is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally
by
Patti Digh (Goodreads Author)
In October 2003, Patti Digh's stepfather was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died 37 days later. The timeframe made an impression on her. What emerged was a commitment to ask herself every morning: What would I be doing today if I had only 37 days left to live? The answers changed her life and led to this new kind of book. Part meditation, part how-to guide, part memoir, Li...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
August 26th 2008
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I'm not a big reader of non-fiction books. And I'm definitely not a reader of self-help books. Yet Life is a Verb is both of these things and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The secret to my enjoyment? After each chapter there are two boxes, one called Action, the other, Movement. I was happily reading along, enjoying Patti Digh's voice and storytelling when I got to the first action box. As I recall, that box told me to set the timer and dance for five minutes. Ummm, no. Not going to happen. ...more
I needed a kick in the proverbial pants and this book landed in my hands - perhaps the book angels pushed it out, but sometimes a trip to the bookstore reveals just what you need. Realigning self and life are daunting tasks and often we forget where we have landed on the game board. I needed this book to remind me that I was responsible for my own life, my own joy, my own intentions. Patti Digh is good medicine and her sassy questions, suggestions, and methods for awakening art as life/life as a...more
Okay, the title sounds like one of those silly, self-help, self-indulgent works that abound in the marketplace. But Patti Digh is different. She moves in. She hangs out on your sofa. She lets her life hang out, warts and all. She makes you feel "normal" because she is so real. She dares to share the messiness of her own life, her own "imperfect, red-headed freckled-ness" that you want her to permanently move into your guest room with her two kids and "Mr. Brilliant"...more
I'm one of those people who likes the idea of self-help or inspirational books about living intentionally/with purpose, but I find ACTUAL inspirational books kind of boring. Most of them don't go far enough, or don't actually address the problem I seem to be having. With this title, I kind of expected it to be a little too cutesy.
There are occasional moments where her anecdotes are overly "I've had a privileged white upper middle class upbringing and I like to talk about how alt...more
There are occasional moments where her anecdotes are overly "I've had a privileged white upper middle class upbringing and I like to talk about how alt...more
My dad had just past away when I saw this book. I started thinking back to the last time I saw him. It had been the one year anniversary of my mom's death. When I counted the days from that day until he died...it was 37 days. Wow. What had he done in those days? Well, I found out at the funeral that he had lunched with many dear friends in his close circle. He had called several and written notes of encouragement. He had lived those 37 days as if it was his last. maybe he knew somehow? I will ne...more
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I read this book in 2009. I found it at the library. I pretty much read from beginning to end. It's probably intended more for women than men, but when it doesn't necessarily seem applicable, I just move on. I like her lively, personal, quirky style. She tries to give the reader applications. I bought this book as I thought it was one I should own and that I could mark up. I also bought Creative is a Verb because I like her bouncy writing. My daughter would like to write and I want her t...more
I didn't end up doing this book, because:
#1 the author writes that she deliberately put it in a large format so there's room to write in the margins, to really grasp it, etc. I love small things, I hate carrying things, I cannot fit this book in my backpack so I cannot do it as a daily plan.
#2 Life is not a verb. Live is a verb, it's a perfectly fine verb. Now, love is a verb, that's something I've said before. Love's a noun and a verb and a tennis score. Life is not.
...more
#1 the author writes that she deliberately put it in a large format so there's room to write in the margins, to really grasp it, etc. I love small things, I hate carrying things, I cannot fit this book in my backpack so I cannot do it as a daily plan.
#2 Life is not a verb. Live is a verb, it's a perfectly fine verb. Now, love is a verb, that's something I've said before. Love's a noun and a verb and a tennis score. Life is not.
...more
I LOVED this book and have bought several others to give away as gifts! If you're looking for a daily dose of whimsical inspiration this is the perfect book as it is broken up into short stories and has tons of colorful illustrations throughout....if I was teaching a creative writing class this would be a perfect resource for "start up journal" converstaions because these stories can really get you thinking about the life you live, the life you dream of living and the life you can be l...more
"Life is A Verb" was inspired by Patti Digh's blog, "37 days" at www.pattidigh.com I love her metaphors and her detailed, delicious insights on life. She really digs into the essence of what makes life worth living.
Her suggestions to inspire you to live intentionally have affected my life. So far she has inspired me to:
-write haiku
-give more hugs
-reach out and be generous
There are so many suggestions she has for wonderful free write...more
Her suggestions to inspire you to live intentionally have affected my life. So far she has inspired me to:
-write haiku
-give more hugs
-reach out and be generous
There are so many suggestions she has for wonderful free write...more
I don't usually read "self-help" type books because I think I'm far beyond helping myself. But this book really spoke to me. It's not one of those "live like you were dying" books that encourage you to bungee jump and do all of those things you've always wanted but never had time to do. Whether it's because I've met Patti or I'm just a little more receptive to wanting to change my attitude on life, this book and it's attitude really spoke to me. I know what I'm buying a l...more
Rare is the read that leaves me feeling as though I need to write a THANK YOU note to its author. By the time I was reading the last page, I so wanted to consider the author and I good friends. This book will never stray far from my side. It is everything we ALL need to be reminded of if we truly desire living an intentional life. And its author...Ms. Digh...is a storyteller extraordinaire. Her fluidity, her prose, her sheer understanding of being mindful...beyond impressive. Every chapter held ...more
I read this one in just one day...Saturday February 28, 2009...have a head cold and was resting up for the work week ahead.
It is a great book...inspirational, eyecatching and motivational. Lots of great little quotes, the art is wonderful!
I'll be making good use of this in my "girl" group at church. If you work with women's groups, love art or need cheering up, this just may be the book for you.
It is a great book...inspirational, eyecatching and motivational. Lots of great little quotes, the art is wonderful!
I'll be making good use of this in my "girl" group at church. If you work with women's groups, love art or need cheering up, this just may be the book for you.
I agree with another reviewer further down who said that she liked the idea of this book more than the actual book. I have read Digh's blog and found it so moving and so original and I felt like this book was watered down for the self-help seeking masses. I know that is harsh, but that is how I feel (and the more I review books the more opinionated I seem to get about it). This was not a re-invention of the wheel by any means and most of us seeking to make more meaning of our lives would already...more
Loved the format of this book, the original artwork, the quotes, and the layout. It involves writing action which I already do daily so have actually already done a lot of the "work" recommended by the book, but the refresher was excellent and gave me things to ponder about. It really is a lovely book just to look at and feel. (I am kinesthetic after all).
Digh worries that we are not living our lives. This book is her attempt to share six ways of living intentionally: (1) With intensity by saying yes (2) with inclusion by being generous (3) with integrity by speaking up (4) with intimacy by loving more (5) with intuition by trusting yourself and (6) with intention by slowing down. Brilliant.
I have to say I like the idea of this book better than the actual book. Not to be petty but I didn't feel like it was that reflective, etc. I didn't feel like it took you deep enough if that makes any sense. I guess I am already "awake" and try to "live intentionally" so it did not give me any "A-has".
I loved this book so much, I've read it twice. "Part meditation, part how-to guide, part memoir, Life Is A Verb is all heart." Very insightful & enjoyable at the same time. Wonderful graphics and illustrations. This is a must-read!
If I get any more motivated I'll just have to leave the planet! Who needs shrinks, why waste money on hocus-pocus? Get Patti's book, curl up and read it like you mean it. You cannot help but be a different person when you are finished...
This book gives lots of food for thought. It's one of those that is best read in small doses, savored and used to propel you forward. A lot of her thoughts resonated with me and helped me to look at things through a different lens.
Bought it because an on-line friend has art in it. Fell in love with Patti's insightful writing. Vignettes. Essays. Right up there with Anne Lamott in taking the mundance and making it universal. Good for inspiration.
I absolutely loved this book. It's a life-changer. There were a couple chapters that didn't quite resonate with me, but most of it was beautiful wisdom. I especially loved the lessons on acknowledging humanity all around us.
this book was really good and it helped me understand the world better by doing the 37 day challenges and hearing patti speak when she came to reed last week. Im going to buy her books and read them everyday.
Alexis
added it
Loved, loved, loved this book. I think it is a great book to help you step back and think about the important things in your life and how you want to live. Easy to read, Patti digh is a great storyteller.
I love Patti Digh, and appreciate the changes she's brought to my life.
I take this book to my own private luncheon at Golden Corral on Tuesdays, and leave feeling nourished on so many levels.
I take this book to my own private luncheon at Golden Corral on Tuesdays, and leave feeling nourished on so many levels.
Didn't grab me, but it isn't really supposed to. I love the idea of this as a book to guide her daughters through the hard and/or important questions of life, if she can't.
I usually ONLY read novels... but this is a great book that will make you a better person. I love Patti Digh's writing style and overall lookout on life. This is a must read!
treehugger
is currently reading it
Got the last autographed copy from Malaprops, author lives in Asheville :). It's a gorgeous book, and I'm savoring it a few pages at a time at bedtime..it's like a prescription :)
Patti is local in the amazing town of Asheville, NC, where I live, and she is an excellent writer. This book is very uplifting. She seems to be a very gracious person.
I usually like this type of book. However, there were fewer "take aways" for me from this one. It was a pleasant read for the beginning of a new year.
i loved this book! it contains so many stories, lessons and beautiful artwork. i still have it by my bedside so i can look up and reread my favorites.
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Readers Also Enjoyed
Patti's award-winning blog, 37days, is now a book called LIFE IS A VERB: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally.
Online press kit is at http://www.pattidigh.com
Patti has two new books coming out in the fall of 2010:
Four-Word Self-Help: simple wisdom for complex lives (Sept 2010)
Creative is a Verb: if you're alive, you're creative (Nov ...more
More about Patti Digh...
Online press kit is at http://www.pattidigh.com
Patti has two new books coming out in the fall of 2010:
Four-Word Self-Help: simple wisdom for complex lives (Sept 2010)
Creative is a Verb: if you're alive, you're creative (Nov ...more
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“Instead of a book, what if we're actually writing (or not writing) in the margins of our lives? What if our lives are books? What is the sign of our presence? Are we pressing into the margins our interpretations and questions? Are we circling offending verbs and drawing furious arrows to the margin where we scrawl "irony," "frustration," "voiceless," "unfair!" Or do we simply turn the pages, passively receiving what's given, furiously disagreeing but remaining silent about it?”
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8 people liked it
“If I stop judging other people, I free myself from being judged, and I can dance!”
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4 people liked it
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