Saturday, September 20, 2008

Baby Steps


When I took the book, 'Life is a Verb...37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally', out of the box I knew it was going to be a sensory experience. The cover itself is enchanting and draws the reader in. The quality and texture of the paper begs you to touch it - it is ultra smooth and cool and the perfect weight. Your fingertips glide across each page, easily turning them when it is time. It was created this way intentionally. You know when you are holding 'Life is a Verb...' in your hands that you are about to embark on a life changing experience. You will not skip pages. You will not speed read. This book is meant to be absorbed into your whole being. You will read, reflect, investigate. The color artwork throughout the book was created by artists who are followers of Patti's blog. The art complements Patti's words perfectly. And throughout the pages perfect quotes from a variety of sources are displayed ~ with intention.


This book comes with instructions on how to read the book. Seriously. Each page has wide margins -intentionally. Patti wants you to have a pencil/pen in hand as you read so that you can write in the margin. Express yourself in the margin. Do whatever you desire in the margin- they are your margins. Be mindful of your margins.


Self-help books come and then they go. I have read many and the reality is I read, I thought, and maybe I even changed certain behaviors temporarily. Then the book sits on a shelf, never to be read again. Forgotten. What makes this book so different? Why do I honestly feel that if all people would seriously read this book - the world would be the world I want my grandchildren to be a part of - a world that respects all people, a world that is not judgmental, a world that slows down and is mindful of moments. Because this book makes sense - plain and simple. Patti never talks down to us but she never talks over us. She tells her stories to us - in plain English. In honest English. It is refreshing. She speaks from her heart and you know that you can trust her. She is a master writer. She is Mrs. Brillant. As I read this book I often found myself chuckling aloud. I often sat with tears running down my cheeks.


The book centers around six practices. For each practice there are stories, Patti Digh stories, written with her wit and her clarity. Each story is followed by an action challenge and a movement challenge. This is where the reader becomes an active participant in the book. You don't just read the book, sit back , put up your feet and wait for the change to take over. Oh, no! You get your feet wet. You get your hands dirty. You might feel uncomfortable. You might wiggle. You will reflect. You get to draw. You get to create. You will write. You will buy candles. You will look at life with a new lens. You will learn how to live with intention. You will be mindful. If you want change in your life...live the book.


I believe that this is a book that I will never finish reading. I will 'use' this book over and over and over. And that is the key to this book. You don't just read it - you interact with it. You perform the actions and movements - maybe at first quietly, and you check to make sure that no one is watching but then after using the book repeatedly, you become empowered. You put the windows down as you are driving, feel the wind messing up your hair and you sing LOUDLY to the music on the radio. You have become one with the book. You live the book. You understand.


I feel strongly that our world needs change. I feel strongly that it is time for change. I feel strongly that this book will be instrumental in bringing the change that we want, that we need. Baby steps...I will start with me.

12 comments:

Willow said...

I will definitely go check this book out on the sites you linked to!

You know that I am a left handed knitter, right? You CAN learn to knit! I did!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Deb. I am intrigued. I will follow your links so I can learn more. Great review.

I am so saddened to read about your brother-in-law. Pancreatic cancer is horrible. I have a co-worker that was diagnosed almost two years ago, and we are stunned at him. I honestly never thought he would still be with us.

Shrinky said...

Wow, your enthusiasim is infectious! I can see what a huge impact reading this has had on you. I am curious to check it out, who can resist?

Akelamalu said...

That sounds like a fascinating book, I will check it out.

Unknown said...

I've come to your blog via Patti's. I love how you describe the book. I've just ordered my copy today, and can't wait for its arrival.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

The book sounds great. I've just ordered it from Amazon. Thanks for call by my site.

david mcmahon said...

So succinctly put, Deb.

Louise said...

What a nice review. Patti doesn't need a publicist!

Deb said...

Willow ~ I didn't realize that you were left handed! I knew I liked you! :)

Bev ~ Thank you. And I will say a prayer for your co-worker.

Shrinky ~ Thanks for dropping by. I love infecting people with enthusiasm!

Ake ~ :)

LadyE ~ Welcome! Hope you find the book as helpful and as eye-opening as I did. Enjoy. Let me know what you think.

Retired ~ Hope you find this book as inspirational as I did - it is a great read. Thanks for stopping by.

David ~ Thank you.

Louise ~ I am too glad to help her out - I believe that this book will make a difference in the life of many. :)

Cherie/ Butterfly Dreamer said...

The book sounds great. I will check it out.

Marg said...

Sounds like you are on your way to discovering more of your potential.
Isn't it funny, how our first season of life is filled with parenting etc. and now we're in this beautiful stage that allows us to go beyond what we ever dreamt. Every day I am so happy to be alive.
That's an interesting theme for this fall. Our church has chosen a book called "One Month to Live."
It sounds so similiar.
We leave for vacation in Oct. This book will be on my list and it will be intersting to make notes.
Living intentionally is what I talk about in mentoring young marriages.
Way to go...

Andrea with the Flipflops said...

This is the first I am hearing about this book... perhaps I need to read more then just Sam I am...

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