Patti Digh

What a fabulous book to read as my first of 2022. Digh's beautiful offering is perfect at any time of the year but particularly pertinent as I look forward to a fresh start and a clean slate on the first day of January.

This book is a love letter to life. Digh's storytelling is superb, her examples lovely and relatable, and the exercises she offers are both practical and approachable. In a world that's becoming increasingly more divided, with the focus on hustle, productivity, and proving our show more worth, Digh reminds us that the things we think matter so much really don't. Instead, she brings the focus back to what will make a difference when we reach the end of our days on this planet: the relationships we form with others and with ourselves.

Another reviewer called it "a happiness companion," and I couldn't agree more. It's a lovely, inspiring, heartfelt collection of essays that should be required reading for anyone wanting to live a more intentional life. show less

When Patti Digh's stepfather was diagnosed with lung cancer, she helped to care for him in his remaining 37 days of life. This experience made an impression on her and caused her to seriously consider what she would do if she only had 37 days to live. She provides 37 suggestions organized into six themes: Say Yes, Trust Yourself, Slow Down, Be Generous, Speak Up, and Love More. Each chapter includes personal stories that bring the ideas to life. For example, Carry a Small Grape may seem to show more be an unusual piece of advice. But when Patti relates the story of how thrilled her young daughter Tess was to find a teeny tiny grape in a bunch and how she carried it around for days, the message to appreciate the small things comes to life.

Digh also sprinkles lots of quotes from other people throughout. I love quotes and highlighted many of these including:

"Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: Always to try to be a little kinder than necessary?" ~ Sir James M. Barrie

Each chapter also ends with a short (10-minute) reflection and an activity to try for 37 days. While I didn't do many of these on this first read through the book, there are a few that I think I will go back to - including writing a Haiku every day for 37 days. In fact, Digh even writes book reviews in Haiku. Perhaps we should adopt that practice on LT - I might be able to make it through all of the threads then. I thought I'd try it for this book:

Stories from Digh's heart
Don't wait until it's too late
Go all in each day

Although I didn't come away from Life is a Verb with any striking new revelations, these ideas - focus on what's important, connect authentically with others, appreciate the small things - are ones that I always need to be reminded of. Digh also has a blog - 37days.com - that I like a lot! show less

Life is a Verb is the most inspirational and beautiful book I have ever read. It is helping me to come out of a very deep depression and learn to appreciate everything again. It has also helped me to start journaling again to heal myself. I started feeling better before I got to page 40!

I bought 8 copies for friends and relatives for holiday presents... It is a great gift book and a RAK book. I hope to share its healing and inspiration with as many people as I can.

Filled with inspirational show more quotes and anecdotes, it really makes you look at all the wonders of the world and realize how lucky you are to be able to experience them. I love quotes and there is at least one, if not two, on almost every page of the book --- and each quote is as powerful and moving as the last. (Most of the quotes can even lead to a deep journaling session if you want to take the time.)

This is the kind of book you will find yourself going back through time and time again - before you even finish it! Go out and buy your own copy as soon as you can! show less

Loved it!

Fun, inspirational, encouraging, and uplifting.

Patti Digh’s personal stories provide metaphors for the actions she suggests you take at the end of each section. Not everyone will find something in every story that resonates, however those who follow through with the Action and Movement activities are sure to learn a little bit more about themselves.

Attitude is everything. Those who want to get something from this book will do so. Those who aren’t in a place where they are show more willing to take a look at their lives won’t get anything out of it (but may enjoy the stories nonetheless.)

I read it on my Kindle, where the pictures didn’t show up very well. I got a print copy from the library to look at the wonderful collages the author has added. If such things are important to you, you might want to purchase a hard copy (or do what I did and enjoy both!) show less