A lovely compilation of stories about death, living, grief, and change. ( )

Inspiring...wrote down many thoughts from this book and many thoughts inspired by this book! ( )

A collection of short essays that show us how to honor and trust life.

Nice ( )

(9) I read this for a work thing and it is very similar to her book, 'Kitchen Table Wisdom' that I read last year around this time. I think perhaps I liked that original book better. This one is filled with shorter essays - some only a page or two - that all revolved around 'blessing' life. And by blessing, it means rather honoring as opposed to the Godly connotation. Dr. Remen is an MD who counsels patients in the end stages of cancer and is active in medical education - she has created a seminar taught nationwide in many medical schools focusing on the art as opposed to the science of being a physician. Having taken it and now facilitated it; I can say - it is lovely. Thus, my reading of her books. Remen's holistic and accepting view of life and humanity comes from her grandfather who was a rabbi of some sort. Though his philosophy seems more Buddhist than Jewish.

The essays all seem to run together after while and some seem a bit recycled or changed a bit from Kitchen Table Wisdom but overall I have to say her observations about living a meaningful life are so refreshing; so liberating. Inspirational really. Some things veered into a bit too twee for me - such as the sand tray work and the Jungian psychology and the feather in the elevator, etc. But I loved the stories of the many patients that she helped and how even when she seemed at a loss for words; just her bearing witness; her generous listening; her creation of a safe space was so therapeutic. I love the idea of "I, alone, am enough."

Anyway, much the same as 'Kitchen Table Wisdom' but I am glad I read it. It seems like a book I should purchase as I have to give back this borrowed copy. It seems like it could be helpful in the times of darkness that inevitably come for us all. ( )