Life is Messy

I am very familiar with Matthew Kelly the Catholic author. My church frequently puts his booklets out for free giveaways.

So I never hesitated in picking this one up. Boy! Was I disappointed. This book is nothing but one platitude after another, is basically devoid of any religious thought, and in a couple of spots borders on being heretical to any Christian philosophy. It is the type of me-centered pablum that one typically finds in most modern self-help books. Not once does he say anything about turning to Christ or the Holy Spirit to help lead one through life's valleys.

I am not keen on books in which authors lay their innermost angst bare for the world, but when explaining how to deal with a problem, it does help to understand show more how/why an author came to his/her viewpoint. Again the book lacks any such explanation other than general statements about major betrayal. (And, no, this is NOT the same Matthew Kelly who was accused of sexual abuse a few years ago.) show less

This book hit me hard. Really good and timely stuff.

At first I thought it was too disjointed and I wanted to know some back story of the author, but as I read on, I didn’t need it. I have my own back story and the journaled thoughts of another gave me perspective and wonderings of my own.

I am going to cycle back and do some journaling of my own. Simplicity, spiritual needs, who would hide me and who would I hide, my virtues…these all need some more exploring. Am I the best version of myself right now?

Food for thought my dear friends…

This book was a gift from someone I love, so I read it. Never would have chosen it for myself, and certainly never would have bought it. The book consists of 78 very short chapters (for lack of a better term), ranging from a half-page to five pages in length. They read almost like journal entries of someone dealing with some kind of (undescribed) painful life situation, with a lot of banality. The best part of the book is a segment Kelly didn't even write, when he quotes (in its entirety) Portia Nelson's "Autobiography in Five Short Chapters," which, for me, was new. Not sure what I'm going to do with this book - maybe pass it on to a mental health professional I know so she can pass it on to a client who might benefit from it, despite show more the platitudes. show less

Life is Messy is a wonderful book that came just in time to lift me out of my depression as I my prayers were not answered and I questioned why a half woman in a wheel chair is still here. I wish more people would read this book so that they will be inspired and inspire others!