Life to the Fullest: A Story About Finding Your Purpose and Following Your Heart

by Darrin Donnelly

A powerful book about why you owe it to yourself and everyone around you to follow the dreams in your heart. The world’s happiest and most successful people tell us it’s ESSENTIAL that we follow our true purpose in life. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what their true purpose is. Or, they hesitate to follow their purpose because it seems too risky or impractical. Or — worst of all — they give up on their dreams when times get tough. This is a book that will show you exactly how to discover your true purpose and it will give you the motivation to NEVER give up on the dreams in your heart. In a story that pays homage to the holiday classics, It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, John Callahan is a man who has spent his life following his calling as a high school football coach just like his legendary father. But his dream life is suddenly being crushed. Just days before the state championship game, John receives news that his beloved school is declaring bankruptcy and will be shutting down at the end of the year. Everything John has worked his whole life for — his team, his community, his pension — is being taken away from him. John is now questioning all his past decisions and he’s angry at himself for not taking more “practical” opportunities when they came along. When all hope seems lost, John receives a miraculous visit from his long-deceased father on the eve of his team’s final game. John is given the opportunity to revisit past moments in his life and to see how things would’ve turned out differently if he had followed a more “practical” path. This is a story about fathers and sons. It’s a story about faith, family, and community. Most of all, it’s a story about having the courage to follow your heart and live your true purpose. As this story plays out, you will discover the five-step process for finding your purpose and simplifying every single decision you make in life. Following your purpose affects more than just you — it affects EVERYONE around you. Once you read this book, you will never again question the importance of following your true purpose. This is a book that will stick with you long after you’ve read it...

Genres: Sports, Self Help

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2017

Reviews

[Marc]

Think I've read all 7 of this guy's books now. This one was pretty good. Not my favorite (that'd probably be Relentless Optimism) but not my least favorite (Old School Grit). This one really makes you think about the decisions you make in life and how that can lead you to a completely different reality. Similar to the movies The Butterfly Effect, Back To The Future, Mr Nobody, It's A Wonderful Life, etc it made me consider my choices more deeply. The author makes a compelling argument to "trust your gut" or "follow your heart." It's cliche advice but I think it's overall good advice. Too many people do what society wants, what their parents want, look at what their friends are doing, etc and never really trust themselves. They chase things they don't care about and aren't interested in. This ultimately leads to unhappiness or a lack of fulfillment. You have to do what you're called to do if you want to live life to the fullest.

[Anthony]

Outstanding

I wish every high school sports program in America had access to these books. They are so incredibly well written and contain such vital truth needed to succeed not only in school and in sports, but in life. Replete with real life and real world situations of defeat, setback, and heart-break, in Life to the Fullest, Darrin Donnelly tackles masterfully the question of purpose and ultimately what is truly important in life despite all of the inevitable highs and very low lows. I cannot recommend more highly these Donnelly books for any student athlete of any age, middle/high schooler, and/or person who knows of the intricate parallels that exist between life and sports. I can’t wait until these books become either a movie and/or tv series. They’re that good. Enjoy! And live YOUR life to the fullest!

[Lucas Dodson]

In the book “Life to the Fullest” by:Darrin Donnelly the character is wondering if he had taken his dream life would have been better, but learns that the best alternative to his life now is his life now and realizes that he followed his heart because he wanted to live a life that was care free and eventually wins a state championship as coach for St. Mary’s high school.

I personally loved this book because it has a good moral. The moral is that if you follow your dreams and dream big and fall short you’ll still end up in a good position.

I think the ages that would read this book would be from 11-above because this book can help adults children and anyone anywhere in between those two categories.

[C. Marantis]

May faith return

Another inspiring tale by the author. It is better for our spirits to dream such miracles could happen than carrying around a burdensome pack of negativity. It makes me pray for faith and trust in God returns to communities across America. I live in a small dying community that could use a glimmer of light amid ever increasing poverty and hopelessness. What if?...

[Jeff Lamb]

Compared to his others

I really enjoyed it, but it wasn’t my favorite of his. It’s worth five stars but I would recommend a couple of his others before this one. Very interesting twist on things and just thinking about how life could be and what actually defines success. You’ll enjoy not only the story but everything else he talks about. I really enjoy this author.

[James C.]

We need more, "Big Jim Callahan's".

Just a great book. The books in this series by Mr. Donnelly will be read many times over and over. This book is FULL of optimism. Just what this world needs right now. Get this book now if you want to feel good and if you are not careful, you just might learn somrthing. Just great!

[Cristian Marrero]

A nice enjoyable quick read. Definitely relatable to a small town story. I definitely connected with the catholic schools and their sad closures in different towns because of the funding situation.
This story will remind you of family, values, roots, the power of the press and social media appreciation.

[Starving demons]

This is the second book I've read from this author and I didn't like it as much. I felt it focused more on the sport than elaborating on the advice to follow your heart and passions. The reason why I really enjoyed the first book I read was that it talked about the lessons/wisdom just as much as sports. This book didn't give much of that for me.

[Scott Parker]

Inspiring story

I have enjoyed reading all four of Darrin's books. I find them so inspiring. I relate to and learn something from each one. If you find yourself feeling stuck in life and need some inspiration you can't go wrong with these books.

[cath dara]

Simply Amazing

I recently lost my job and after reading the first three sports for the soul books I knew this would help. Thank you Darrin for providing me with hope and faith as I continue to find my purpose, and begin the next journey of my life.

[Russ Sigmund]

Must read about Faith that all things are possible.

This book can change your life. It demonstrates that even when we drift in our faith, we can’t lose sight of who we are and what God has in store. Enjoy reading this book that trulyi has timeless lessons.

Russ S

[Patrick J.]

Simple story telling strong values

Darrin Donnelly’s ability to make the simplest values come to life in stories that any of us could be the main character is unique. He teaches core values while entertaining us with easy flowing stories.

[Mike Marciano]

Great story of high school football

Brought me back to my high school football days. Faith, family and football can bring any town together. Nice finale to the series.

[Diego Navarro]

Emotivo

Muy buen libro y como siempre, excelente historia para entender el mensaje. Al igual que sus otros libros, es muy difícil dejar de leerlo.

[Kristi]

Feel good book!

This was a really good read. It will show a person that even though life is difficult,it can also be beautiful.

[Marcia Pena]

True story?

t feels like you are reading a true story. It's hard to put it down once you start. Plenty of great quotes to live by.

[Lance E. Ware]

Great series

Good books I especially like the theme of faith family and following your heart. The second book on development of grit is good as well

[Remus Rex L. Ramos]

Follow your heart

This book teaches the importance of following your heart in the decisions you make in life. This is a good inspirational book to read.

[Bertalan Thuroczy]

Great writinf with lots of motivational and inspirational thoughts, I recommend everyone who struggles in life.

[Sandra Kirkpatrick]

Great read

I enjoyed this story because one never know what can happen the future. You don't know what God has planned for you. Great read.

[John]

2.5 stars
If ESPN and Hallmark channel made a story about life, using sports to do it...it would be this

[Amanda graae]

Really good
And maybe some SMALL tears…

[Chris]

fantastic book and audiobook

Darrin has a gift and this book is another example of his gift being shared with us. It’s a throwback to George Bailey.

[Carrick MacDonald]

Fun read. Positive message. Really enjoying the series by Donnelly.

[Brian Johnson]

A powerful book featuring a high school coach on his journey to find his true purpose and live life to the fullest!

“Regardless of the career field, the most successful achievers agree: you must follow your heart and live your unique purpose in order to be successful and happy.

It’s inspiring to hear advice like this. It forces us to reexamine our own lives and search for our purpose. It encourages each one of us to chase our dreams despite what any naysayers may try to tell us.

However, most of us also have a cynical voice in our head that hears such advice and counters with something like, ‘It’s easy for them to say that. They’ve already made it big; they’re highly successful and wealthy. What if I chase my dream and fail?’

Or, that pessimistic voice that says, ‘What if my dream job doesn’t come with a million-dollar salary? I want to do what I love, but I’ve got bills to pay!’ And then there’s the common rebuttal: ‘Sure, I’d love to follow my purpose, but I don’t know what my purpose is.’ …

For years now, I’ve wanted to write a book about following your heart and living your purpose, but I wanted it to be applicable to everyone—not just those who are called to careers that can make them famous…

This is a story about ... having the courage to follow your heart and live your true purpose. As this story plays out, you will find the answers to two of life’s most important questions: How do I find my life’s purpose? Is it safe to follow that purpose?”

~ Darrin Donnelly from Life to the Fullest

This is the fifth book in Darrin Donnelly’s Sports for the Soul series.

We’ve already covered the first four: Think Like a Warrior, Old School Grit, Relentless Optimism, and Victory Favors the Fearless.

I’m one of Darrin’s biggest fans. I read ALL SIX of his fables in less than a week. With each book, I became a bigger and bigger fan.

He’s a brilliant storyteller and a wise teacher. I highly recommend the whole series if you’re a fan of sports and self-development. Books like these are a FANTASTIC way to introduce our sports-playing kids and/or sports-watching family and friends to some powerful wisdom.

This book is a fable about a high school coach who’s doubting whether he made the right decision to stay in the small town in which he grew up and coach the same football team his father coached for decades. As Darrin says, it’s kinda like a sports version of It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol.

The most important theme: Follow your heart. Trust yourself and your authentic path.

You don’t need to go out and be an NFL coach to fulfill your destiny if your destiny is to change the lives of every kid who plays for your high school football (or baseball or tennis or...) team or takes your high school (or grade school or college) math or physics or English class.

Do what YOU are here to do. Do YOUR duty. Play YOUR role as well as you can. THAT is what it means to be truly Heroic. And, that’s what this book is all about.

Some of my favorite big ideas from this book include:

1. Follow Your Heart - Some wisdom on the subject.
2. Find YOUR Purpose - What are YOU here to do?
3. Say Yes to It All - Or else...
4. Inner Peace - Euthymia for the win.

P.S. I’ve added Life to the Fullest by Darrin to my collection of Philosopher’s Notes--distilling the Big Ideas into 6-page PDF and 20-minute MP3s on 600+ of the BEST self-development books ever. You can get access to all of those plus a TON more over at https://heroic.us.

[Michael Smith]

Just finish another book by Darrin Donnelly, Life to the Fullest. Everyone at some point in time has seen the Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life". Darrin puts that story into a football scenario. From a small town in Ohio about a lifelong coach at a Catholic High School, St Mary's. His father coach there for years and got the job when his father died. He's highly successful but has never won the state championship. Prior to the State Championship game news about the schools closing unless $9.8M is raised. Everything is gone, jobs, pensions and the community. A once thriving industrial town was dying as businesses closed. Based on the news Coach Callahan questions the values taught him by his father. Goes for a walk, ends up in church where his father meets him. In discussions, John is given an opportunity to live life had he made decision to accept job offer with the NFL Bengals. Let's just say Faith, family, commuity were all placed on the back burner to exposure and personal wealth. Wife divorce him and he's lost. Drives from Fl to Oh. The town is totally dead. Arrives at the church and once again mets his father. John express that the other life did to turn out as he expected. He had lost his faith and as such lost his family. Anyway, life returns back to what it was. They go play the game but lose. Entrenched into the game and no phones call after the game until you returned home. He misses info about the school. The team arrives home to large crowd. Bottom line the school was saved.

[Kelly]

A good book for a midlife crisis. Helps you think and prioritize and establish values to live life by - although it’s a story about football in a Christmas Carol format, the point is to teach lessons through a story. Darrin Donnelly has several books like this that Glenn loves and he has read them to stafford which has really helped him.