The Contented Soul: The Art of Savoring Life

by Lisa Graham McMinn

Winner of a 2006 Chicago Book Clinic Award! Is your life characterized more by long, leisurely walks--or by frantic sprints to get the kids to school, rush to work, beat out other cars in traffic so you can pick the kids up on time and grab dinner before your seven o'clock meeting? Most of us are racing through life at dangerously high speeds, striving for a higher-paying job or a larger house, and volunteering for a hundred activities without ever stopping to notice what we do have or to reflect on who we are apart from all our doing. Our culture teaches that possessions equal success and busyness equals importance--and we have believed the lie. Though we search for contentment, we never find it. Even more, we begin to doubt its existence. In The Contented Soul, sociologist Lisa Graham McMinn invites us to slow down, be still and learn the art of savoring life. Our souls were not made for frantic, frenzied living. In the midst of our busy culture, we have forgotten--or perhaps never learned--how to savor moments and days. But McMinn calls us back to a significant, simpler way of life, a way characterized by intimate connection with our Creator, authentic relationships with others and a profound hope for the shalom that is to come. Along the way, the author also gives us examples of people who have chosen this way of life and found it genuinely satisfying, stirring hope that we, too, can choose and find lasting contentment. So pull up a chair by the fire, or set out for a quiet stroll, binoculars in hand, and begin living life the way God intended: a life of freedom, beauty, connection and true satisfaction for your soul.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Spirituality, Christian Non Fiction

185 pages, Hardcover

First published May 30, 2006

About the author

As a contemplative Quaker I see my job as loving creation, holding hope, nurturing, laughing, praying, and being attentively grateful. My blog, “Reflections on the Ordinary” captures appreciation for things messy and glorious, ancient and ever-changing, living and dying, and always held in the heart of God.

Alongside writing, my professional journey has included nursing, academia, farming and husbandry, and the offering of spiritual direction. For 20 years I taught sociology to college students, journeying with them as they connected dots from here to there, making sense of the world and their place in it. My Ph.D. gave me access to the ivory towers of academia that continues to inform my writing. When I transitioned out of the classroom, I trained to become a certified Spiritual Director and currently am in a lovely chapter tilted toward spiritual care.

I’m a tender of a small dairy goat herd, dahlias and daffodils, broccoli and beans, and people’s storied lives. In addition to crafting words, I make goat milk soap, and an occasional round of goat milk cheese.

For 44 years I have been married to Mark, and live grateful for our journey together with all its vicissitudes. We live at Fern Creek, a small farm outside of Newberg, Oregon where we preserve what we grown, and so our grandmother’s traditions, and a more simple way of life. For the last 42 I've mothered three extraordinary daughters, and for the last 13 years have had the joy of grandmothering six curious, blossoming souls.

My childhood faith has been deepened and broadened by the contemplative practices of Quakers, earthy Franciscan spirituality, the wisdom of ancient mystics, and most significantly by long walks with God in the woods.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome. in fact i bought this book for three friends this past Christmas. Contentment in the midst of an uncertain world is something I struggle with daily. It was a refreshing read.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

“contentment is found in the arms of God”
One of the most helpful ideas I took from the book is that in our world today, we are deceived into thinking that we can find contentment by controlling our circumstances and creating the most fulfilling life possible. That’s a lot of pressure, and I’m glad it’s not actually my responsibility. There’s an element of surrender and fortitude.

[Coralie]

Everyone needs a reminder to take time to smell the roses. In The Contented Soul, Lisa Graham McMinn reminds us to take time for family, friends and our community. This is Christian book, McMinn is a professor at Wheaton College, yet she quotes from many different authors to drive home her message that life isn't about acquisitions, possessions and hurrying to the next task. Life is about living fully in the moment, even when what is happening in the moment isn't necessarily what you would want. The author talks about how to keep everything in perspective, with a focus on God's gifts. She writes about health, food, and the media, and how losing your focus can cause grief and aggravation. The only criticism I have of this book is that McMinn tries to tackle too many issues, from overconsumption of the earth's resources, to overeating, to being overscheduled. But still, a good book to read when you feel harassed by life, or discouraged by life. I'm going to keep this book to reread.

[Jen H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take time to savor. Live simply. Enjoy the goodness all around. Remember. A good, good book for all who desire to live wholly in the present in a way that honors God,

[Denise Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good reminder that happiness comes from within despite the fact that our society tells us it comes from things. It consists of nine chapters, each developed thematically. Each chapter ends with “queries for further reflection.” Sometimes this section ends with a suggested exercise.

Overall, I thought this book was a good combination of ideas and references, some personal and some Biblical. The back cover reads, “…sociologist Lisa Graham McMinnville invites us to slow down, be still, and learn the art of savoring life.” And, this book did exactly that for me.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and inspiring!

[Leanne Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate the premise of this book. However, it was drawn out with too many stories.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely exploration of living simply according to one's values. There is a definite spiritual format for this book that is an interesting combination of Quaker values and Wheaton College (IL)-influenced spiritual teachings. The author has been a professor at both Wheaton and George Fox University. Even setting aside the spiritual influences on this subject, the messages will resonate with anyone interested in defying consumerism, social justice issues, sustainable food/farming, and slowing down in order to live a more satisfying life.

I had read her book "Growing Strong Daughters" in 2001 which I loved, and find this book to have similar value in that it focuses on exploring what makes us strong and complete.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I love her attention to the everyday, encouraging us to savor the moment and experience God in the process. But the book easily slips into preachiness about things that seemed more related to her view of the responsible soul rather than the contented soul. I found my emotional reaction fluctuating between contentment and guilt as I read, with increasing guilt as the book read on.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The first half was excellent. Great perspective on contentment and how to find it through God and life.

Second half...not so much. Especially sections like "walking gently", which could be better titled "grow hemp and use compost". One persons preferences that make her content...not for everyone.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this book so far. Taking forever to read because I keep re-reading pages I love. This is one I will have to buy for myself, since there is no way I will be able to let it go when my library due date comes.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm on my third read of this book. It feeds my soul, slows me down and reminds me to arrange my life around the things that matter most....God, Greg, my family, health, friends, Chalet, slow living, slow food......thank you Pam and Wayne for this wonderful Christmas gift!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book to remind you what is important in your life. It shows you how to live a more contented life by living more simply, with a greater awareness of the world around you. I recommend it for anyone who has let our world devoted to consumerism get the better of us.

[Shellie Foltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing. Challenging. Affirming. Beautiful.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended by someone I really look up to. I just didn’t like it very much. There was some good stuff- but I felt like I had to spit out a bunch of bones to get to the meat.