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Life Is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally | 
 enlarge | Author: Patti Digh
Publisher: skirt!
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $9.59
You Save: $10.36 (52%)
New (35) Used (12) from $9.19
Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 3887
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 1599212951
Dewey Decimal Number: 158.1
EAN: 9781599212951
ASIN: 1599212951
Publication Date: August 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
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Product Description
In October 2003, Patti Digh’s stepfather was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died 37 days later. The timeframe made an impression on her. What emerged was a commitment to ask herself every morning: What would I be doing today if I had only 37 days left to live? The answers changed her life and led to this new kind of book. Part meditation, part how-to guide, part memoir, Life is a Verb is all heart. Within these pages—enhanced by original artwork and wide, inviting margins ready to be written in—Digh identifies six core practices to jump-start a meaningful life: Say Yes, Trust Yourself, Slow Down, Be Generous, Speak Up, and Love More. Within this framework she supplies 37 edgy, funny, and literary life stories, each followed by a “do it now” 10-minute exercise as well as a practice to try for 37 days—and perhaps the rest of your life.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
A book that entices and inspires November 4, 2008
Writing has been my form of reflection for a long time, whether in a journal, a poem or a personal essay. Patti Digh has written her reflections as personal essays on an award-winning blog. Those essays have now been published as Life is a Verb. This is a book to be savored. It deserves careful attention. And so do you. You don't have to switch religions, change your spiritual practices or go on a pilgrimage to a far-off land. Patti Digh's advice is to pay attention right here at home.
In 2003, Digh's stepfather was diagnosed with lung cancer and died 37 days later. After caring for him at his home and following his death, Digh wondered what she would be doing today if she only had 37 days to live. She realized she didn't need to seek enlightenment in a faraway land. Living each day with intention was about "more fully inhabiting the life I have, not creating a new one."
In her first chapter, Digh espouses the importance of writing to remember. "...We are only one step away from losing the stories of our lives. [Writing] is also a strategy for learning," she adds. "And for determining who and what we are--and who and what we yearn to be."
Throughout each chapter are action challenges, timed ten-minute writing exercises to reinforce the story preceding them. Following the action challenges are "movement challenges" meant to keep you attentive to something for 37 days, such as making eye contact with people who are living on the streets, homeless. I appreciate Digh's inclusivity of people who deserve our "respectful curiosity": people who are homeless, disabled, or transgender, for instance.
The design of the book is especially enticing. It's in full color, illustrated with collages by many artists. One artist, Donna B. Miller, made a card to carry around to remind herself of one of the blog essays. Digh thought it such a brilliant idea that she posted a note suggesting people send in art. All 120 pieces of art are used throughout the book, adding a whimsical flavor and greatly enhance the written word. They invite you to keep dipping in for a daily message.
I loved the book's message to wake up and live intentionally, its colors, even the feel of the paper. A book that encourages you to "inhabit your own story" is well worth recommending and passing along.
by Mary Ann Moore
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
"Say Yes" October 31, 2008
Get this book. For a lot of reasons. It will resonate with your Muse's soul; it will encourage you, it will make you weep. You will laugh out loud; you will ponder. Your inner critic will natter at you about pickly (that's a combination of picky and prickly, by the way - I made that up) little truths that your rational mind doesn't quite want to grasp. You will love the art; you will love the stories. And your heart will be a little bit healed.
A Must-Buy for everyone you know. October 27, 2008
I've been reading Patti Digh's blog for a couple of years now. I've also had the pleasure to hire her to facilitate a diversity training. She truly lives what she writes. She is one of the most thoughtful and thought-provoking people I've ever had the opportunity to meet. Her book features stories from her blog that describe moments in her life (co-starring a varied cast of family members, strangers, co-workers, and others whom she has encountered on her life's journey) in which the importance of being mindful, and living intentionally has crystallized for her...and generously, she shares those moments with her readers in a way that is breathtaking in its kindness. Her book is at times hilarious, deeply touching, and always, always meaningful. The artwork that is included is the most beautiful ever - as it was created by Patti's readers - true gifts of the heart. I've already bought 4 copies to share with friends, who have bought more copies to share with their friends and relatives. Definitely a must-buy and a must-share.
Amazing book! Amazing writer! October 22, 2008
I have read Patti Digh's blog for a long time. She is an amazing writer and this is an amazing book. She will move you, amuse you and make you think and feel and love. She will make you remember that you are alive and need to get busy living and loving - yourself and the world around you. Life is short. If you do one thing for yourself, read this book. I have bought several copies already as gifts for friends. Buy one for yourself today!
Simple Grace in a Beautiful, Well-Written, Humorous Package October 22, 2008
I have been reading Patti Digh's blog "37Days" for many months now and I am always moved by her humor, her humanity and her insight.
She has captured all those things in an art-full, inviting book. "Life is a Verb" has truly changed me. I am doing the exercises, re-reading the essays. Thinking about life again when I feared I had fallen into some pit of monotony and sameness. Now, I am noticing beauty and joy purposefully. What a gift this book is and can be. I have already purchased 4 more copies for all my friends who need a little perspective or who can appreciate a good laugh.
Don't miss this book! Not only is it brain-food, it is eye-candy. Art submitted by folks who read her blog, thick pages with wide margins for dreaming and thinking and questioning, colorful pages.
Can you tell I really, really love this book? Hurry up and order yours!
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