Something to Live for: Finding Your Way in the Second Half of Life: Easyread Edition

by Richard J. Leider

I believe this book you hold in your hands can help you do two things. First, it can help you recall that ancient conversation we have all had with our Creator, enabling you to recall your life's mission and the gifts you've been given to complete it. And second, it can help you rearrange your gifts for the part of that mission you'll be working on in the next phase of your life. --- foreword by richard bolles

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Richard’s ten books, including three best sellers, have sold over one million copies and have been translated into 20 languages. Repacking Your Bags and The Power of Purpose are considered classics in the personal development field. Richard’s “inventures” in writing books have taken him to events with readers in all 50 states, every Canadian province, and 15 countries.

As co-author of Life Reimagined, he is the Chief Curator of content for AARP’s Life Reimagined Institute. Widely viewed as a visionary and thought leader on the “power of purpose”, his work is featured regularly in many media sources including, PBS public television, and NPR public radio. He is featured in the PBS Special – The Power of Purpose.

As a keynote speaker, he is one of a select few advisors and coaches who have been asked to work with over 100,000 leaders from over 100 organizations such as AARP, Ericsson, Mayo Clinic, MetLife, National Football League (NFL), and United Health Group discover the power of purpose.

Richard holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a National Certified Career Counselor (NCCC), and a National Certified Master Career Counselor (MCC). As a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing, he founded The Purpose Project. He is co-chairman and dean of the World Purpose Forum, co-chairman of the Linkage/Global Institute for Leadership Development, and a member of the Council Advisors of the FRED Leadership Forum. He is also a board member of Youth Frontiers, and Life Coach in Residence at The Marsh: A Center for Balance and Fitness.

He is a contributing author to many coaching books, including: Coaching for Leadership, The Art and Practice of Leadership Coaching, Executive Coaching for Results, The Leader of the Future, and The Organization of the Future.

Richard’s work has been recognized with awards from the Bush Foundation, from which he was awarded a Bush Fellowship and the Fielding Institute’s Outstanding Scholar for Creative Longevity and Wisdom award.

For 30 years, Richard has led Inventure Expedition walking safaris in Tanzania, East Africa, where he co-founded and is a board member of the Dorobo Fund for Tanzania. He and his wife, Sally, live on the St. Croix river outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Marilyn Sue Michel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems to be geared towards men - revolving around a safari in Africa with a group of men, talking to "elders" who are all male. It also assumes you will have plenty of money and security when you retire. Aside from that, it is the same advice repeated in multiple sources elsewhere - find a Purpose and Meaning in life. May provoke thought.

[David Geller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savoring and Saving

Leider and Shapiro weave together personal stories and deep perspective about how to build a second half life that is filled with savoring the world and saving it at the same time. A very readable book filled with wisdom for those of us trying to figure out what’s next.

[ChrisVV · Rating 4 out of 5]

It provides food for thought. It is intended for people in the last “half” of life , but I wonder if it was read in the first have of life and used as enlightenment of where you are headed if it would also be found helpful.

[William Quick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas. Not very practical. Seemed like it was only about the authors, not for anyone else.

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this Richard J. Leider/David A. Shapiro book a few years ago because I had read some of Leider's other work about finding hope and purpose in our older years. I didn't read it until now and was motivated because Leider was appearing locally talking about another book "The Power of Purpose." Our Beach Cities Health District had sponsored him and apparently groups are being formed to study the Purpose book.

I did hear him speak and he was very good and we all received a copy of Purpose. Leider is a story teller and so is David Shapiro, his co-author for this book. I went through a period in my life when I read a lot of self-help books, but seldom do now. I am intrigued with his research and stories about cross-cultural elders.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book from the library to gain knowledge about dealing with my mother-in-law, and not myself. I liked that the authors used trips to Africa as illustrations of finding purpose in their lives as they aged. It all tied in neatly with the John Ortberg Bible study I just completed. I don't know that I learned anything that I didn't already know, but it was a quick read and a good topic.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking

Very helpful and practical advice on how to live a productive and meaningful life in the second half. No cookie cutter answers, but lots of ideas and activities to help figure it out.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

'Could have written it myself. Not a single new idea.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on retirement, but more actually on finding something meaningful in life. Would highly recommend as a great book for some inward examination of one's life.