Life's Greatest Lesson: What I've Learned from the Happiest People I Know

by Allen R. Hunt

Something is missing. You are not whole just yet. What if you had a need in your life that turned out to be the greatest need of all? A need that you unexpectedly discovered, almost by accident? What if that need, when satisfied, grew into the most deeply rewarding aspect of your life?

You do have such a need. And when you satisfy this need, your life will be transformed in ways you could never imagine. You will never have to worry about ending your life like Ebenezer Scrooge, full of bitterness and regret. Because you will have found the cure for selfishness, for anxiety, for sluggishness, and even for anger.

That transformation will propel you toward becoming the-best-version-of-yourself. Best of all, you will lead a life full of love. You will have discovered life's greatest lesson.

This book, and the parable Allen Hunt shares in it, will show you how to get the most out of your life how to return to the grace of who you really are.

Genres: Faith, Religion, Catholic, Christian, Spirituality, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2013

About the author

Dr. Allen Hunt and his team are pursuing a vision to build a nationwide talk radio show on mainstream stations to create a place where real life and faith come together. The Allen Hunt Show focuses not on what's right and left but on what's right and wrong. Allen has been named to Talkers Magazine's prestigious list of the 100 heavy hitters in talk radio, receiving a ranking unprecedented for a newcomer in the industry.

Hunt stepped aside July 1, 2007 from his role as Senior Minister at Mount Pisgah, a United Methodist congregation serving more than 15,000 persons each week through its ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia.

On January 6, 2008, on the Feast of the Epiphany, Allen converted to Catholicism. This transition represented the culmination of a 15 year journey in which God began leading Allen home to the Church.

Allen and his wife, Anita, live in Atlanta, Georgia, and have two daughters, SarahAnn and Griffin Elizabeth.

Reviews

[Tracey Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Allen Hunt's radio show here on WSB radio in Atlanta (and really miss the show!) Most talk radio is about politics ("right and left"), but Allen's show was about morals ("right and wrong").

His radio show was always fascinating, frequently moving, and right on the money.

This is the first of his books that I've read. The storyline is simple, sweet and meaningful. I look forward to reading his other books as well.

Remember L.E.G.S.:
LOVE all you can
EARN all you can
GIVE all you can
SAVE all you can

A simple formula which translates into a sweet life.

[Amanda Lauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book features the story of a 10-year-old boy who learns life lessons from his grandmother and grandfather about the joy of giving. It's a quick read and a great introduction to tithing. His grandmother took generosity and giving to a whole new level, which may be hard for other people to match, but, the bottom line is, the more you give, the more you get back.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith based, got this book from church last week. Really like the story behind it and the lessons it preaches.

[Johnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read, but really eye opening. I'll be glad to remember the LEGS way of living:)

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for a leadership class I'm a part of. Before reading, I thought it would be a more straightforward, professional non-fiction book. I was thoroughly confused when I started reading since this is more of a story (based on a true story) with a message to take away at the end. If I can remember correctly, the book started off in present tense from the perspective of a young boy, and then it shifts without warning to a retrospective grown adult's perspective. While the prose is not the best, the message was inspirational. Even though I didn't always appreciate the emphasis on money, the character's life offers helpful examples for being a leader in service to others.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good message, and very good advice for giving of oneself & one's resources, but the style just didn't grab me. The 10-year-old voice of the narrator didn't seem very authentic or consistent; e.g., in one chapter , the word "y'all" is used twice by the narrator, but nowhere else in the book. Easy & quick reading.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has a great message, but I really hated that it was told through the view of a ten year old. It just didn't work for me. So the message for me wasn't as strong as if it had been written differently.

[Monica Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life's Greatest Lesson delivers a truly valuable lesson about generosity in the form of a parable.

The author can't decide how old his narrator is -- 10 or 30 -- but if you can get past that, the books offers readers a way to make life meaningful. A quick and easy read.

[Karina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was given to me free by St Ignatius parish. It came highly recommended. I found it extremely preachy though. The writing style was sort of simple making you think a child wrote it (the protagonist was young for most of the story).

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational parable with a great message. Short and a fast read.

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my style of book but a good message nonetheless.

[Cheenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is simple and easy to read. It's a good reminder of what is really important in life. :) A giving life is life-giving.

[Laura McAninch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title simply doesn't jive with the content of the book, or it is not how I envisioned the book with a description "what I've learned from the happiest people I know'.
There are many further confusing aspects throughout the book, but the two chapters, titled 'the mite' and 'the jalopy', are worthy content of the four star review I'm giving.
This is a book I would love for our ten year old kids to read, considering this book is told from a ten year old perspective. Perhaps it will be less confusing of a read for our ten year olds than it was for myself.
Don't over think the basic act of love.

[Carolyn O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written through the eyes of a 10 yr old. Christopher tells the story about his Grandmother Lavish who has just died. She taught him things all his life, but before she dies she wants to see her grandsons. Christopher is her first and they were very close. She passes a plastic orange bracelet that she always wore to Christopher. It has the letters LEGS on it. The story is discovering more about her told by his beloved Grandfather Tom as well learning and discovering what the letters mean. A very thought provoking story, that wants me to be better. An enjoyable and quick read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tons of people come to this boy's grandmother's funeral. In the days after, his grandfather explains their philosophy summed up in a bracelet she always wore, which was now his.
Love all you can
Earn all you can
Give all you can
Save all you can
He then explains their plan to begin tithing--when finally giving 5% to their parish, they then began giving 2% to a major ministry, then the other 3% to something God would "nudge" them to.
Inspiring. Nice presentation.

[Bernie Sotola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just finished reading this book. I give it 2 out of 5 church collection baskets. Here are my key takeaways:

Be lavish in your giving but not in your living. Live simply so you can give boldly.

The LEGS philosophy:
L: Love all you can
E: Earn all you can
G: Give all you can
S: Save all you can

Love generously and your life will be filled with love in return. Give generously and you will always be blessed.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find Allen Hunt's books inspirational. If you feel that your your life journey is missing something or your faith in God is shallow, pick up this book and read. It is short but very insightful how to turn a shallow life into a life filled with love of God and His children (that includes you and me).

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book contained an excellent message, the writing style was not for me. I thought it was going to be a book containing many different people’s stories, but it was one story told by a 10 year old boy. Others may find the style okay, so it was worth reading for the message.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. It really gets you to think about what really matters in life. It starts out as a story about a young boy's grandmother; which, in of itself is a great story, but it goes way beyond that.

Definitely worth a read.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great message. The writing was a little like...yeah this is clear it’s a man TRYING to write to sound like a boy...but I have to remind myself a book like this is about the message and that deserves 10 stars if possible. 😇

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second time through this book - I found it more enjoyable the first time, but am grateful I gave it another go. Wonderful teaching about LEGS - valuable lessons I would like to pass on to my children.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read book about the importance of generosity in the Christian life.

[Peg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book about how we should love, earn, give and save.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's inspiring and very simple message, touched my heart. Now, to put into practice.

[Shelby Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give this book more than 5 stars. I’ll be posting a review on my blog because I have way too much to say!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great little story about the power of living a life full of generous financial giving.

[Danette Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one took a while for me, I read it off and on with others books. It was an excellent story that I will be passing along to some family members. Truly an enlightening read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful story of how family can affect change in life. An incredibly moving story of a grandmother's life story and how her oldest grandson comes to learn even more about her and her values.

[Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

motivational

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this. Definitely got me thinking of things that I could do differently in my life.