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Choosing a Good Life: Lessons from People Who Have Found Their Place in the World
Ever wonder why some people seem to be at peace despite the ups and downs daily life can bring, while others are restless even in seemingly ideal circumstances?
In Choosing a Good Life , Alyson Berman explores what it means to be at peace with ourselves, our choices, and the world around us in all its glorious chaos. She takes us into the lives of people who, despite their vastly different talents, challenges, and interests, have achieved a deep sense of balance in and satisfaction with their lives. Stories include those of Holocaust survivor Emery Jacoby, who rose above anger and bitterness to reaffirm the good in himself and others, along with Sungrai Sohn, a violin prodigy and gifted teacher who lives in the shadow of a potentially fatal illness and many other inspiring life stories. Berman then pinpoints their common approaches and qualities to reveal how they have found contentment-and how we can too.
With Choosing a Good Life you will have the tools and guidance Learn how to achieve something that eludes so many of us--the sense of purpose that comes with deep self-acceptance.
In Choosing a Good Life , Alyson Berman explores what it means to be at peace with ourselves, our choices, and the world around us in all its glorious chaos. She takes us into the lives of people who, despite their vastly different talents, challenges, and interests, have achieved a deep sense of balance in and satisfaction with their lives. Stories include those of Holocaust survivor Emery Jacoby, who rose above anger and bitterness to reaffirm the good in himself and others, along with Sungrai Sohn, a violin prodigy and gifted teacher who lives in the shadow of a potentially fatal illness and many other inspiring life stories. Berman then pinpoints their common approaches and qualities to reveal how they have found contentment-and how we can too.
With Choosing a Good Life you will have the tools and guidance Learn how to achieve something that eludes so many of us--the sense of purpose that comes with deep self-acceptance.
- GenresNonfiction
200 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2014
6 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Ali Berman
2 books11 followersAli Berman is the author of Choosing a Good Life: Lessons from People Who Have Found Their Place in the World, published by Hazelden Publishing, and Misdirected, published by Triangle Square, an imprint of Seven Stories Press. Her writing has appeared in Unsaid Literary Journal, Elimae, Used Furniture Review and Puerto del Sol among others.
In 2012 she co-founded flipmeover, a production company that uses media to raise awareness about important social issues. Ali cowrote “quiet de luxe”, their debut short film that has played in film fests around the world.
When not devoting her time to her writing, Ali works as a humane educator for HEART, teaching children about issues affecting people, animals and the environment.
She resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two cats.
In 2012 she co-founded flipmeover, a production company that uses media to raise awareness about important social issues. Ali cowrote “quiet de luxe”, their debut short film that has played in film fests around the world.
When not devoting her time to her writing, Ali works as a humane educator for HEART, teaching children about issues affecting people, animals and the environment.
She resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 19, 2018
A gem of a book. Self help type books lose a lot when they are a little more than a didactic call to action.
The author's thoughtful interviews of 10 very different lives, and learning about the strategies each person adopts to reach a life of fulfilment and balance is inspiring.
Of course, I can't help but think that people can be a little blind to their own shortcomings - whose to say the interview subjects are a-holes when no-one is looking!
(For example, the last interview was with Lisa Bloom, a famous attorney who specialises in sexual harassment cases representing the victims of harassment. The book was written in 2014. Lisa Bloom goes on to briefly represent Harvey Weinstein in 2017, before resigning from that. In hindsight, a truly huge error of judgement - how much does it reflect on her own accounts of her desire to represent the oppressed?)
However, the author's own frank and candid account of her own disappointments and shortcomings reassures me that she gets to the essence of a person, and close to where they want to be.
Highlight was the Violinist's Sungrai's observation that he never worries because rather than worry, if there is a problem he identifies what it is and gives his everything to try and solve the problem. If he solves it then there's no need to worry, but if fails he knows that he did everything he could to try and solve the problem and that's all that he could expect. I like the way he replaces passive neurotic rumination with action, problem solving. Win or Lose it doesn't really matter in the end so long as you've tried.
The author's thoughtful interviews of 10 very different lives, and learning about the strategies each person adopts to reach a life of fulfilment and balance is inspiring.
Of course, I can't help but think that people can be a little blind to their own shortcomings - whose to say the interview subjects are a-holes when no-one is looking!
(For example, the last interview was with Lisa Bloom, a famous attorney who specialises in sexual harassment cases representing the victims of harassment. The book was written in 2014. Lisa Bloom goes on to briefly represent Harvey Weinstein in 2017, before resigning from that. In hindsight, a truly huge error of judgement - how much does it reflect on her own accounts of her desire to represent the oppressed?)
However, the author's own frank and candid account of her own disappointments and shortcomings reassures me that she gets to the essence of a person, and close to where they want to be.
Highlight was the Violinist's Sungrai's observation that he never worries because rather than worry, if there is a problem he identifies what it is and gives his everything to try and solve the problem. If he solves it then there's no need to worry, but if fails he knows that he did everything he could to try and solve the problem and that's all that he could expect. I like the way he replaces passive neurotic rumination with action, problem solving. Win or Lose it doesn't really matter in the end so long as you've tried.
February 25, 2025
Really enjoyed this. So many parts screamed at me at the perfect moments. Great read!
July 20, 2015
Think of stopping your mind from spinning or trying to actually sleep when it's bedtime. That's what I feel this book tries to help with. It presents nine different individuals and how they dealt with different issues that life has thrown them. It's like when you see different people in the media who for whatever reasons have lost the ability to see, hear, or walk yet they get past it and actually thrive.
This book gives you reminders to appreciate the present, keep things in perspective and above all be kind. It's sounds basic, but reminders are helpful. This book covers many areas where one might be dissatisfied with their lot in life. Whether it's their job, where there living, their relationships, their health, well you get the picture. Seeing how other people have worked through similar situations can help you refocus on a solution to what your dealing with instead of staying in a rut.
It's an especially book to read if you currently have too much on your plate that your trying to work through. It's an easy read and though there's parts that you may want to skip I would just recommend reading it completely.
This book gives you reminders to appreciate the present, keep things in perspective and above all be kind. It's sounds basic, but reminders are helpful. This book covers many areas where one might be dissatisfied with their lot in life. Whether it's their job, where there living, their relationships, their health, well you get the picture. Seeing how other people have worked through similar situations can help you refocus on a solution to what your dealing with instead of staying in a rut.
It's an especially book to read if you currently have too much on your plate that your trying to work through. It's an easy read and though there's parts that you may want to skip I would just recommend reading it completely.
May 20, 2015
I found this book interesting and thought-provoking. It's not a self help guide as such, no step by step plans or bullet lists, more a reminder of how life can be if we apply ourselves. It takes the format of interviews with people who seem to have their lives on the right track with a quick summary after each interview.
It make easy reading and might be just what you need if you find yourself seeking a little real-world inspiration/motivation to change your ways for the better.
It make easy reading and might be just what you need if you find yourself seeking a little real-world inspiration/motivation to change your ways for the better.
February 1, 2015
A quick look at ten different people's lives to see how each have overcome personal struggles to find contentment. Some common elements are kindness for self and others, taking care of your body through fitness and nature, and working on personal relationships.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews