I started this book having just explained and expounded upon my beliefs by explaining that I follow altruism, that I am altruistic. The author asking the Dali Lama about how to quiet her mind, his answer ‘practice altruism in our world’.
Game point match .
Reading about the Greek wording/action Philotimo is the explanation I’m now going to use to answer the WHY questions I’m asked constantly. Why do you volunteer so much being the main WHY.
About half way through reading I realised this book was probably for someone who does not live my hippie communal, thrift store, always cook at home, buy local, volunteer your time wisely and affectedly, try to be selfless, lifestyle. Or know to live how this book shows as an art of living. Nonetheless, it was very satisfying to read my ethos of living being encouraged to others to try to live as such.
As someone who has been an activist for many decades this book explains many of the WAKE UP causes that I, along with others, have been screaming about. It also explains how protesting really does make change which I appreciated very much.
This book was a good book for an I AM NOT ALONE OUT HERE moment. The lifestyle and ethos looked for in this book is very close to what I’ve always tried to live like. Counter culture.
FYI, If you are unaware of climate change issues and what’s happening and what has happened and why.. this is a good book for you. It’s enough to enlighten you.
I so enjoyed all the book references, activist and writers quoted as well. I think you would need to be fairly well read to really appreciate the back story of all of them, to get into the depths of it. Not necessary of course, but a definite bonus.
I just love the Anne Frank fun fact noted. That doesn’t happen often.
In the section ‘become a soul nerd’ the author lays out how I from childhood up have used literature, especially classical literature. Along with Shakespeare, poetry, art, opera, theatre and music. Fun to see that laid out in print.
Hike. Just Hike. While I don’t agree with the just in nature part of the hike just hike. The author even talks of walking in the city. Walking 10 plus miles daily and never using transportation in my Chicago has the same affect on me as does walking the beach in California. It is no doubt it is good to walk, hike, be with your surroundings. It is zen.
Sarah describes grief very accurately and her take on women’s health is exactly fact.
Refreshing to read as such, it isn’t done often enough.
Soul care spiritual section was dead on. I totally agree we need soul care not self care so to speak. Very well thought out and written section.
Now we change the world ..
A few quotes from this section need to be heard now “inaction is more destructive than direct aggression”. Never has that been more true than now. Look at all the people who simply do not vote. This entire section is something, if willing to take it in, people should read. Then act accordingly. Be encouraged to go out and change the world and start where you are.
Over all I enjoyed reading what I have always thought was the way to live in book form. Although it definitely reads like dense nonfiction in many places it is worth the read. So many wonderful gems of how to love and how to live the one life we are given.
