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Life in 20 Lessons: What a Funeral Guy Discovered About Life, From Death
After fourteen years in the funeral business, Chris Meyer has seen a lot of things.
He sat with families, listened to their regrets and wishes, their "should’ve," "could’ve," "would’ves." And, in doing so, he learned many lessons, lessons that kept repeating themselves year after year.
Meyer knew he could help a lot of people with this information.
So, he memorialized the lessons to share with the world: some simple, some profound, some practical; lessons from life, from death... from surviving.
But make no mistake, this is NOT a book about dying, this is a book about life and living.
This is...
Life in 20 Lessons.
Poignant. Irreverent. Filled with Love.
He sat with families, listened to their regrets and wishes, their "should’ve," "could’ve," "would’ves." And, in doing so, he learned many lessons, lessons that kept repeating themselves year after year.
Meyer knew he could help a lot of people with this information.
So, he memorialized the lessons to share with the world: some simple, some profound, some practical; lessons from life, from death... from surviving.
But make no mistake, this is NOT a book about dying, this is a book about life and living.
This is...
Life in 20 Lessons.
Poignant. Irreverent. Filled with Love.
- GenresNonfiction
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2019
33 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
About the author
Chris Meyer
6 books30 followersFor the last fourteen years, Chris has been a funeral homeowner. In addition to learning many things about love, loss, and life, his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to create two other funeral homes from the ground up. In doing so, he obtained fourteen loans over a ten-year period. As he was assembling yet another loan package for a bank one day, he thought there has got to be an easier way. He created a prototype and showed it to a friend. Together they built magillaloans.com, an anonymous loan search engine that educates and empowers all borrowers in the loan process.
Meyer has a Juris Doctorate and Master's in Environmental Law (Magna Cum Laude) from Vermont Law School and a BA in Politics and History from Brandeis University. He has been a licensed New York State attorney for over twenty-four years.
Prior to his funeral life, he wrote, directed, and produced a low budget film called "Black is White". The feature length, race relations drama was written up in Variety as the film to watch from the Independent Feature Film Market in New York City. It was one of twelve international films chosen for the Rome Film Festival. When the film wasn't chosen for Sundance, Meyer loaded up his car and moved to Hollywood to become a screenwriter. He made a living as a production assistant working for Herb Ritts, the premier fashion photographer of his time and on various studio lots.
He has been married for over eighteen years and enjoys coaching his sons in every sport. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce in his community.
Meyer has a Juris Doctorate and Master's in Environmental Law (Magna Cum Laude) from Vermont Law School and a BA in Politics and History from Brandeis University. He has been a licensed New York State attorney for over twenty-four years.
Prior to his funeral life, he wrote, directed, and produced a low budget film called "Black is White". The feature length, race relations drama was written up in Variety as the film to watch from the Independent Feature Film Market in New York City. It was one of twelve international films chosen for the Rome Film Festival. When the film wasn't chosen for Sundance, Meyer loaded up his car and moved to Hollywood to become a screenwriter. He made a living as a production assistant working for Herb Ritts, the premier fashion photographer of his time and on various studio lots.
He has been married for over eighteen years and enjoys coaching his sons in every sport. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce in his community.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 24, 2019
This is a book about life lessons from a person who has probably heard all of people's happy memories and regrets. Very well written with some great stories. I really enjoyed this book. Main message is, enjoy your life and the people around you because life is too short.
Read
November 26, 2019I love Chris Meyer's tips on living life to the fullest and everyone should read it. Chris is a great motivator
March 11, 2020
Too long and too casual. In general, 20 life lessons is too many.
November 27, 2020
‘Life in 20 lessons’ by Chris Meyer
🍁 As the author has spent 30 years in the funeral home business, this book is the experiences of the author which are written vividly.
🍁 The author has explained the 20 lessons with a unique perspective on life from death. The lessons are -
1) Be thankful
2) Make a difference
3) Avoid judgment
4) Respect others and yourself
5) Be vulnerable
6) Get uncomfortable
7) Failure is the foundation
8) Love simply
9) Become a famillionair
10) Make a few good friends
11) Be with yourself
12) Laugh
13) Enjoy food
14) Sweat, fiber, and water
15) Stop worrying about money
16) Have faith in spirituality
17) Embrace the elderly
18) Exercise your mind
19) Be resilient, and
20) DEST (do epic shit today)
🍁The lessons that I liked the most are:
🍁Lesson no. 3) Avoid judgment:- Doesn't matter what background you have, from which culture, which cast you belong to, whatever the differences between you and the other person have, it doesn't matter, what matters most at the end of life, and you're just a piece of paper, so, think on it. We all are the same, just different packaging.
🍁Lesson no. 7) Failure is the foundation: - Failure is the foundation of any success and you don't have it, so build it. Just imagine a beautiful home which you're going to build; but if it doesn't have a strong foundation, then you know what could happen. Take risks, they don't always pay off, but take risks, especially when you are young. Failure is awesome, sounds awkward but it is.
🍁 Lesson no. 9) Be a famillionaire: - A person who is rich in moments with their family. What I understand is, what kind of audience you want around you, when you're on the deathbed. So spend more time nurturing a fanatic family. Remember revel in the simplicity of family’s togetherness. It takes no money; your children just want you. Family is how you define it.
✨
✨
✨
And overall, I love this book and the important thing is to remember and enjoy this existence of yours called ‘life’, give it a priority and truly live every moment you have.
So, anyone can read a lot about improving their life.
🍁 As the author has spent 30 years in the funeral home business, this book is the experiences of the author which are written vividly.
🍁 The author has explained the 20 lessons with a unique perspective on life from death. The lessons are -
1) Be thankful
2) Make a difference
3) Avoid judgment
4) Respect others and yourself
5) Be vulnerable
6) Get uncomfortable
7) Failure is the foundation
8) Love simply
9) Become a famillionair
10) Make a few good friends
11) Be with yourself
12) Laugh
13) Enjoy food
14) Sweat, fiber, and water
15) Stop worrying about money
16) Have faith in spirituality
17) Embrace the elderly
18) Exercise your mind
19) Be resilient, and
20) DEST (do epic shit today)
🍁The lessons that I liked the most are:
🍁Lesson no. 3) Avoid judgment:- Doesn't matter what background you have, from which culture, which cast you belong to, whatever the differences between you and the other person have, it doesn't matter, what matters most at the end of life, and you're just a piece of paper, so, think on it. We all are the same, just different packaging.
🍁Lesson no. 7) Failure is the foundation: - Failure is the foundation of any success and you don't have it, so build it. Just imagine a beautiful home which you're going to build; but if it doesn't have a strong foundation, then you know what could happen. Take risks, they don't always pay off, but take risks, especially when you are young. Failure is awesome, sounds awkward but it is.
🍁 Lesson no. 9) Be a famillionaire: - A person who is rich in moments with their family. What I understand is, what kind of audience you want around you, when you're on the deathbed. So spend more time nurturing a fanatic family. Remember revel in the simplicity of family’s togetherness. It takes no money; your children just want you. Family is how you define it.
✨
✨
✨
And overall, I love this book and the important thing is to remember and enjoy this existence of yours called ‘life’, give it a priority and truly live every moment you have.
So, anyone can read a lot about improving their life.
January 5, 2022
A great read
Loved this book. An easy, quick read with a lot of helpful advice and positivity.
I thought the first half of the book was truly inspired. I was moved by the funeral home anecdotes and laughed out loud many times. I totally related to the authors love for his grandfather, I was very close to my grandma and think of her often, although she has been gone almost 11 years now.
The only problem IMHO was in the second half. The funeral home stories were fewer and some of the advice started to feel a little specific to the authors perspective. For example, the author advises everyone to socialize as much as possible. However, plenty of introverts I know can tell you how draining socializing can be for them. While I agree that human contact is always important, the frequency and duration necessary varies from one individual to the next. But that's just an example - there are other pieces of advice in the second half that just feel more specific to this persons perspective rather than the more generalized popu!ace. If I'm perfectly honest, this book had a feel that the author actually had 10 life lessons fully fleshed out and expertly told, but was told or believed that the book needed to have 20 and/or be a certain number of pages.
So why do I still give it 5 stars? Because the first half of this book is THAT good.
Loved this book. An easy, quick read with a lot of helpful advice and positivity.
I thought the first half of the book was truly inspired. I was moved by the funeral home anecdotes and laughed out loud many times. I totally related to the authors love for his grandfather, I was very close to my grandma and think of her often, although she has been gone almost 11 years now.
The only problem IMHO was in the second half. The funeral home stories were fewer and some of the advice started to feel a little specific to the authors perspective. For example, the author advises everyone to socialize as much as possible. However, plenty of introverts I know can tell you how draining socializing can be for them. While I agree that human contact is always important, the frequency and duration necessary varies from one individual to the next. But that's just an example - there are other pieces of advice in the second half that just feel more specific to this persons perspective rather than the more generalized popu!ace. If I'm perfectly honest, this book had a feel that the author actually had 10 life lessons fully fleshed out and expertly told, but was told or believed that the book needed to have 20 and/or be a certain number of pages.
So why do I still give it 5 stars? Because the first half of this book is THAT good.
November 20, 2022
Decided to give this a go after hearing the author on Sophia Bush's 'Work in Progress' podcast. He read a bit of the book and spoke of his positive take on life and the things he learned from dealing with grieving families. However, I was a little disappointed with the (audio)book. I felt it turned into a bit of a preach and a lot less on what I thought it'd be about. (My problem I guess)
When he was suggesting saving $600 a month for life so your child could be a millionaire, I realised I wasn't the right audience for this book.
When he was suggesting saving $600 a month for life so your child could be a millionaire, I realised I wasn't the right audience for this book.
May 2, 2020
It a must read to reflect on your current priorities
It a great read. I really enjoyed reading this book. Author really emphasize how important family is. It made me think for a moment in my priorities in life and put more care into my treatment to my current family and wife situation. It a great read. Read this book with a note pad and pen.
It a great read. I really enjoyed reading this book. Author really emphasize how important family is. It made me think for a moment in my priorities in life and put more care into my treatment to my current family and wife situation. It a great read. Read this book with a note pad and pen.
July 21, 2021
Worthy of a place on the shelf alongside Tuesdays with Morrie
Written from the perspective of someone whose daily life makes death an ever-present reminder to the kind of life you want to .now. The author's unsuccessful career as a screenwriter bore
l
Written from the perspective of someone whose daily life makes death an ever-present reminder to the kind of life you want to .now. The author's unsuccessful career as a screenwriter bore
l
January 27, 2020
I enjoyed the lessons that the author shares with us. Every lesson has several stories behind it, based on the author's experience in running a funeral home. Chris Meyer reminds us that, although when we think of funeral homes we think of death, it is really about life. I really liked the unique perspective he brought to the subjects of life and death. I think you will learn something, in fact many things, about changes you could make in your own life to get the most out of it.
Recommended.
Recommended.
November 9, 2019
This book was won on Goodread. Chris, the author owns several funeral homes. Being that he is around death a lot he'd decided to share some of the life lessons he's learned. Basically life boils down to being thankful, valuing family over money, eat right and exercise. None of this was earth shattering but a good reminder to decide what your values are and live accordingly. We never know when our time will be up.
January 1, 2020
This book is a treasure!
Could so many encouraging thoughts and life lessons be included in one book? To hear the many experiences from the author as he deals with life and death, and what he has learned, can be an addition to anyone of any age. This is a wonderful book to read and to give to someone you love.
Could so many encouraging thoughts and life lessons be included in one book? To hear the many experiences from the author as he deals with life and death, and what he has learned, can be an addition to anyone of any age. This is a wonderful book to read and to give to someone you love.
December 30, 2019
Interesting perspective on life, as seen thru the eyes and ears of a person who deals with death as a career. Good examples of ways to live life to the fullest, have minimal regrets, and how to help the precious, wise folks of 80+years.
November 20, 2019
A nice easy read. You'll find humor, good common sense advice and maybe even an "ah-ha" moment. The author does a good job of relating life experiences into lessons that are easy to understand.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews