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Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation
With wisdom, compassion, and gentle humor, Parker J. Palmer invites us to listen to the inner teacher and follow its leadings toward a sense of meaning and purpose. Telling stories from his own life and the lives of others who have made a difference, he shares insights gained from darkness and depression as well as fulfillment and joy, illuminating a pathway toward vocatio
...moreCompact Disc, 3 pages
Published
September 1st 2009
by Blackstone Audiobooks
(first published September 1st 1999)
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For Senior Seminar in English.
It's hard for me to rate this book, because I feel like I was told to go about it in a wrong sort of fashion. It was the first book assigned for my senior seminar in English--a class designed to help us figure out what to do with an English Major.
The Prof assigned this book to be read in a week, and told the class (more than once), that it could be "easily read in a sitting." About 30-40 pages into the book, I realized that that was not ...more
It's hard for me to rate this book, because I feel like I was told to go about it in a wrong sort of fashion. It was the first book assigned for my senior seminar in English--a class designed to help us figure out what to do with an English Major.
The Prof assigned this book to be read in a week, and told the class (more than once), that it could be "easily read in a sitting." About 30-40 pages into the book, I realized that that was not ...more
With warmth and wisdom throughout, Palmer describes in a most linear fashion his own triumphs and travails from institutions of many kinds: social, spiritual, and higher education. He is as inclined to quote some calming poetry as he is to lecture on leadership. He taps all the right people for their own thoughts on life and leading (Buechner, Dillard, Rilke, Rumi) and organizes the book's five chapters beneath simple metaphors--the changing of seasons, and those in one's life. He loves an an...more
A friend whose Spiritual walk has given me a deeper understanding of courage and integrity suggested I may like this little book. I quickly became aware that the only thing diminutive about this tome was its size. When I began reading it, given the few pages it contained and the dimensions of those pages, I thought I would be finished reading it in a few hours. I spent 30 minutes reading the first five pages, I would read a paragraph and stare into the Middle Distance for five minutes consid...more
Sometimes our crises find us. We run; In my case, it was a failed engagement, a tenative jump to Portland, OR. This led to several years flailing about. Love affairs both meaningful and empty. A career change. New Meds. Bold new psychotherapies. Upgraded software.
No dice.
Every indicator on the dashboard was red, a little iconographic arrow flashing in yellow. The books that used to console me were empty, or page after page of disconnected garbage like Borges ...more
No dice.
Every indicator on the dashboard was red, a little iconographic arrow flashing in yellow. The books that used to console me were empty, or page after page of disconnected garbage like Borges ...more
I read this too fast, like eating an incredibly rich piece of cake that gives you a stomachache and a desire to never eat again. I read this too fast, because it's only 109 pages, and these days that's a Post-It note to me in a world of dissertations.
I will buy this book, and I will read it again, and I will take at least ten minutes for each page.
The thing about Palmer's writing is not that it is lofty or erudite or accompanied by some hidden soundtrack of thunderous drums and r...more
I will buy this book, and I will read it again, and I will take at least ten minutes for each page.
The thing about Palmer's writing is not that it is lofty or erudite or accompanied by some hidden soundtrack of thunderous drums and r...more
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I was reluctant to read this in a time when so few jobs are available; wouldn't it be worse to know my "calling" when there's little or no opportunity to practice it? In fact, there is no better book to help me confront and enlighten such pessimism. No matter if I never find a dream job, I still have a vocation. Palmer writes about big ideas in a small, quiet, reflective tone; I can't wait to read more of his work.
Though his book was given to me at an Episcopal group for unde...more
Though his book was given to me at an Episcopal group for unde...more
This small tome of essays was referenced in a book I recently enjoyed, "My American Unhappiness" by Dean Bakopolus. Put this title on reserve at your local Public Library; unplug and coccoon for a cozy, lazy Sunday afternoon, curled up with this lovely book in print on life as a spiritual journey. You may add to your enjoyment of the experience by quaffing a brandy or bloody mary. This wee book soothes by it's petite size and plain spoken Quaker philosophy. It's particularly balm to...more
Received the book through a subscription I used to have from the Leadership Institute - called Leader to Leader. Book's premise is to find Leadership or vocation through inner truth. It is extremely spiritual and existential writing. I got lost in some parts about the book struggling to find the author's point. I did gain some valuable perspective with the examples he gave of Vaclav Havel - former President of the Czech Republic - who through the absolute depths of despair from communist rul...more
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I have had this book for years and only just got around to reading it. But maybe that was the way it was supposed to be. I really enjoyed Let Your Life Speak.
A few things that I'll carry away... *that sometimes it is detrimental to be told you can do anything in life you want to do - we are not suited to do everything. We all have special talents and innate gifts and we should work with those to find out where our deepest passion meets the worlds deepest need. *Sometimes are gr...more
A few things that I'll carry away... *that sometimes it is detrimental to be told you can do anything in life you want to do - we are not suited to do everything. We all have special talents and innate gifts and we should work with those to find out where our deepest passion meets the worlds deepest need. *Sometimes are gr...more
I loved this book. Another one that was given to me by my dad. I didn't have a clear concept at all of vocation and I do believe that Palmer did a great job of explaining that and his process in finding his. I appreciated his honesty in talking about both the triumphs and loses in his journey. I believe it's easy for us to ignore the difficult times but he went into it but from a place of peace. He was able to talk about depression and his struggles but from a now reflective viewpoint, explainin...more
When you're totally confused about a major life issue, it's so much nicer to think about what you're going through as a "process of discernment" rather than just a mess. I really appreciate Parker Palmer's gentle, thoughtful way of exploring how to make choices by being our best, truest selves, instead of thinking about what we should do or what we think other people want us to do. He also explores depression as a way of discovering that true self; not that he recommends becoming dep...more
Recommendation from Reverend Jim
Interesting reading about his lifepath and seeing some struggles similar to my own. His honesty in describing his vocational path is refreshing.
"We arrive in this world with birthrights- then we spend the first half of our lives abandoning them or letting others disabuse us of them. As young people, we are surrounded by expectations that may have little to do with who we really are, expectations help by people who are not trying to dis...more
Interesting reading about his lifepath and seeing some struggles similar to my own. His honesty in describing his vocational path is refreshing.
"We arrive in this world with birthrights- then we spend the first half of our lives abandoning them or letting others disabuse us of them. As young people, we are surrounded by expectations that may have little to do with who we really are, expectations help by people who are not trying to dis...more
I bought this book because it kept getting mentioned in other books and articles I was reading, and even alluded to in songs I was listening to (Parker Palmer and Carrie Newcomer are friends and colleagues). But when I ordered it from my local bookstore, it didn't feel like it was time to read it yet; then all of a sudden it was time, and it just opened up a number of issues for me: the relationship between discernment and depression, the need to ride down into the darkness to get through to th...more
Parker J. Palmer, with his simple insight and straight-forward, personal writing always seems just this side of sentimental platitudes to me, but then he never veers into that territory. His writing ends up being intelligent and insightful and simple and meaty and somehow--easy--all at once. As a PhD and former professor and administrator, Palmer has all the academic credentials for something sophisticated and complex, and brings that depth to his writing about the inner life, but never loses to...more
My small-group Spiritual Exploration Program group decided not to finish this book on the assumption that we're all adults and can finish it if we want to, or not if we don't, which kicked me into finishing it.
It was exactly what I needed just now. I'm sure it is a book that I will revisit and will give me different things at different times in my life. I just had so much hunger for some of the topics that Palmer addressed, that NO ONE ever talks about, that I find myself indebted to...more
It was exactly what I needed just now. I'm sure it is a book that I will revisit and will give me different things at different times in my life. I just had so much hunger for some of the topics that Palmer addressed, that NO ONE ever talks about, that I find myself indebted to...more
Eventually, I developed my own image of teh "befriending" impulse behind my depression. Imagine that from early in my life, a friendly figure, standing a block away, was trying to get my attention by shouting my name, wanting to teach me some hard but healing truths about myself. But I-- fearful of what I might hear or arrogantly trying to live wihtout help or simply too busy with my ideas and ego and ethics to bother-- ignored teh shouts and walked away.
So this figure, s...more
So this figure, s...more
This could be a very quick read at just a little over 100 pages. But books like this should be read slowly, so you can reflect upon the message. What I particularly liked about the book were the last two chapters that dealt with leading from within and understanding your own "shadow self" so you don't unconsciously inflict your wounds and unfinished business on others. The last chapter was nicely done as he used the seasons as a metaphor for our lives. As long as we fear death (win...more
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer
Are you living what you think you "ought" to do, or are you following your God-given natural potentials and limitations? This 101 page book is a Quaker-minded meditation on discerning vocation through an approach of discovering and living out authentic self-hood. Palmer encourages the reader to look deep inside oneself asking the questions, "Who am I? What is my God-given nature?." Thro...more
Are you living what you think you "ought" to do, or are you following your God-given natural potentials and limitations? This 101 page book is a Quaker-minded meditation on discerning vocation through an approach of discovering and living out authentic self-hood. Palmer encourages the reader to look deep inside oneself asking the questions, "Who am I? What is my God-given nature?." Thro...more
RF
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommended to RF by:
Katie Williams
Shelves:
apologetics-life-of-faith
This book is simply and beatifully written. It especially resonates with my mid-twenties vocational muddle, a "quarter life crisis" if you will... Palmer writes about how we spend so many years "putting on faces" that are not our own, and describes the journey to discovering our "true face."
“Vocation does not come from willfulness. It comes from listening. I must listen to my life and try to understand what it is truly about - quite apart from what I wo...more
“Vocation does not come from willfulness. It comes from listening. I must listen to my life and try to understand what it is truly about - quite apart from what I wo...more
This book helped me when I started asking about my own vocation. Sometimes we need to let out all of the clutter in our mind and really listen to what our life intends for us and not the other way around.
Favorite quote ~ “Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths to embody, what values you represent”
Favorite quote ~ “Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths to embody, what values you represent”
This is a nice, compact book. Mostly a compilation of essays, but all rewritten and with new material added. The title comes from a Quaker tenant that the author reframes, and the message is one that really resonates with me right now - basically that your inner and outer life should and can be in alignment, but that most of our institutions don't really support that connection in our work life. I read this through pretty quickly and am looking forward to reading it again.
I had put off reading this book for a long time because I believed it was going to be about finding the right career path and I am not looking for a career path. However, finally picked it up and it is really about finding one's vocation. Which involves some things about what you do for a job, but also about what you do for your life. It was very encouraging and nurturing for the time of life I am currently experiencing. Thus it showed up at just the right time.
Parker J. Palmer is a converted Quaker that battled depression as well as a frustrating search for his true self and his life vocation. This nonfiction book is a summary of both his life experiences and the theology of vocation and self-awareness that has resulted. It has it's good moments and it's not so good moments. But it is worth the reading just to understand the Quaker's perspective on Way and Letting Your Life Speak.
Amblingbooks.com
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
available-on-audio,
self-help
"A quiet but memorable addition to the inspirational field, this book has the quality of a finely worked homily. The writing displays a gentle wisdom and economy of style that leaves the reader curious for more insight into the author's Quaker philosophy." - Publishers Weekly
Listen to Let Your Life Speak on your smartphone.
Listen to Let Your Life Speak on your smartphone.
I really enjoy Parker Palmer's works, and I got some good nibbles here and there with let Your Life Speak. For example, I really liked what he had to say about the experience of depression i.e. about having to go down, life pressing you downwards towards reality.
Having said that, I very much preferred A Hidden Wholeness, in which his ideas found much fuller expression. That remains one of my favourite books of all.
Having said that, I very much preferred A Hidden Wholeness, in which his ideas found much fuller expression. That remains one of my favourite books of all.
This book appeared at exactly the right time in my life. I needed to be reminded that in times of vocational loss, "all we need to do is stop pounding on the door that just closed, turn around -- which puts the door behind us -- and welcome the largeness of life that now lies open to our souls" (54). Palmer's musings on lessons we can learn from failure and depression -- and on the need to be attentive to our shadow -- are important correctives to our cultural tendency to look only t...more
A small book of huge impact. Great gift for the college graduate. Parker is a master teacher of self awareness. He asks each person to look at their God given gifts and how they match the world's greatest needs. Also what happens when those gifts are misaligned, and the emptiness, even depression that can occur when our egos blind us to our true path.
This is a simple, well-written book that will make you realize your life has become much too complicated. As much as you think you're not influenced by others around you and are acting as an individual - this will make you rethink that notion.
I read this from cover to cover in one sitting and afterwards wanted to give a copy to everyone close to me.
I read this from cover to cover in one sitting and afterwards wanted to give a copy to everyone close to me.
A nice reminder, for those of us far along in career chosing, to regularly review what kind of work wants to come out of us. After reading this book I took the STRONG career assessment test - thank goodness I've had the great pleasure of doing almost all the careers (doing and teaching science and horticulture) that I'm incredibly suited for.
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Parker J. Palmer (Madison, WI) is a writer, teacher and activist whose work speaks deeply to people in many walks of life. Author of eight books--including the bestsellers Courage to Teach, Let Your Life Speak, and A Hidden Wholeness--his writing has been recognized with ten honorary doctorates and many national awards, including the 2010 William Rainey Harper Award (previously won by Margaret Mea...more
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“Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am.”
—
13 people liked it
“In my own life, as winters turn into spring, I find it not only hard to cope with mud but also hard to credit the small harbingers of larger life to come, hard to hope until the outcome is secure. Spring teaches me to look more carefully for the green stems of possibility; for the intuitive hunch that may turn into a larger insight, for the glance or touch that may thaw a frozen relationship, for the stranger's act of kindness that makes the world seem hospitable again.”
—
6 people liked it
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