Live Like You Mean It: Seven Celebrations to Rejuvenate Your Soul

by Kathy Troccoli

In each of the many vital roles you fill as a woman, you take your responsibilities seriously–but lately you’ve begun to wonder, “Where’s the joy?” Perhaps you’re feeling trapped in an energy-sapping cycle of “musts,” burdened by to-do lists, relationship challenges, and endless expectations. You find yourself grasping for the life you “should” have while missing out on the beauty of what is.

If you yearn to recapture a sense of passion and purpose, here’s the hope you’ve been waiting for. Author, speaker, and singer Kathy Troccoli believes that life is full of rich gifts just waiting to be opened, but many women are missing out on the joy and adventure of living to the fullest.

Drawing on her own discoveries in embracing what her Italian-American family would call la dolce vita, the sweet life, she offers seven simple yet surprisingly effective practices to reenergize your life and your faith. These seven celebrations will awaken your heart and romance your soul, opening your eyes to God’s lavish gifts and seasoning your spirit with hopeful expectation.

Don’t wait another day. Dare to reach beyond mere routine and grab hold of a rich, passionate life. It’s time to Live Like You Mean It.

Genres: Christian Living, Inspirational

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2005

Reviews

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathy Troccoli is a woman to emulate. I will read this book again, probably more than once. She writes and you hear her voice. She spoke to my heart, answering questions that I've asked God more than once. I will pick up this book when I need to focus. She clearly reminded me what my purpose is.
From Chapter 6: "God is sovereign and has a plan for each of our lives. He has a specific agenda and timing for it all to unfold as we follow Him and watch and wait. He knows what is best for us and what will give our souls the deepest satisfaction. We often want to write our stories, but I am so thankful that H will gently take the pen from our hands and write the best book that could ever be written. His plots are filled with passion, romance, and adventure. There is joy and peace within the lines."

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book cover starts with "Do you greet each day with passion and a sense of purpose---or do you sometimes cling to the bed sheets as long as possible, feeling uninspired by your routine?" Singer Kathy Troccoli writes how to experience a richer, more fulfilling life with 7 practices:

Live La Dolce Vita
Fill up on the Finest
Keep your life Web Free
Talk to God
Stay Ripe for the Picking
Wait in Expectation
Be a Desperate Woman

Favorite Quotes:

"Do you ever have those days when nothing makes sense and you wonder if anything matters? I certainly do. I live with an ache in my soul for my real home. This life certainly isn't heaven." p 5

"Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed!" p 14

"In the midst of cell phones and emails and pagers, we're losing the art of conversation. We've stopped reaching out to the person we don't know. And we miss so much. I am frequently in airports, and at any gate in any airport right now you will see more people engaging with echnology than with another human soul. Then we wonder why some of our kids just grunt at us and our guests. Many of us grownups have become apathetic and self-absorbed, never even entertaining the thought of just asking people how they are." p 22-23

"I have learned over and over again that home---a place of comfort, peace and joy---is being in the will of God and under His covering." p 84-5

"There are consistent times in my life when I know I must hide out with God. I am peopled out. I am tired. My list of priorities gets all screwed up. If I don't start at the top of my list with God trickling down into everything else, I end up having everything else without the blessing of God." P 101

" Being desperate is something to celebrate because of the position it puts me in with the tender, generous, romantic Lover of my soul. Living a life of passion, romance, and adventure is about panting for God out of sheer desperation so He can satisfy my deepest longings. And, oh, how deep are my longings! There is nothing wrong with the intensity of our needs and desires. We just need to remember where the banquet is so we don't end up in the hog pen with nothing but slop and cornhusks." p 170-171

" Missionary James Hudson Taylor wrote, "I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done." p 173

"We certainly live in a paradox of existence between earth and heaven. But if you lean toward heaven, it leans back. The love, the beauty, the hope. It is all there. No one will be exempt from sorrow. No one will be able to dodge the pain that pours onto the earth and into the hearts of all of us. It is a fact. We are not in the garden. but there is a great truth to the phrase, "Life is what you make it." It comes down to whether we are inviting and embracing the input and influence of God in the midst of our journey. Darkness is never completely dark when the light of God breaks through. And we can always have the hope of a new day and a new place to arrive." p 190

[Hannah MacLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny sometimes, serious others. In Live Like You Mean It, Kathy captures the reader and won't let go.

[Tina]

currently reading and doing a book study at my blog site:
http://creatingmemories.typepad.com/l...

[Glynis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read for me and I really enjoyed her stories and insight.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Very Uplifting!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uplifting and humorous at the same time, it's worth listening to!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathy is also a single Christian woman. I am very inspired by her words.