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Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles
Winner of 5 national awards, “Recipes for a Sacred Life left us moved — and changed. Wise, poignant, funny, and inspiring.” — Redbook, Book Club Pick of the Month
On a dark winter night with little to do, Rivvy Neshama took a Find Your Highest Purpose quiz. And the funny thing was, she found it: to live a sacred life. Problem was, she didn’t know how.
But in the weeks and months that followed, she began to remember and encounter all the people and experiences that are featured in this book — from her father’s jokes to her mother’s prayers, from Billie in Harlem to a stranger in Salzburg, and from warm tortillas to the humble oatmeal. Each became a story, like a recipe passed down, beginning with Neshama’s mom and her simple toast to life.
Neshama’s true tales, a memoir of sorts, are filled with love, warmth, and timeless wisdom. They ground us, and they lift us up. They make us laugh, and they make us cry. And most of all, they connect us more deeply with the grace and meaning of our lives.
“Exquisite storytelling. Written in the spirit of Anne Lamott or Elizabeth Gilbert, Neshama’s stories (and a few miracles) are uplifting, witty, and wise.” — Publishers Weekly
On a dark winter night with little to do, Rivvy Neshama took a Find Your Highest Purpose quiz. And the funny thing was, she found it: to live a sacred life. Problem was, she didn’t know how.
But in the weeks and months that followed, she began to remember and encounter all the people and experiences that are featured in this book — from her father’s jokes to her mother’s prayers, from Billie in Harlem to a stranger in Salzburg, and from warm tortillas to the humble oatmeal. Each became a story, like a recipe passed down, beginning with Neshama’s mom and her simple toast to life.
Neshama’s true tales, a memoir of sorts, are filled with love, warmth, and timeless wisdom. They ground us, and they lift us up. They make us laugh, and they make us cry. And most of all, they connect us more deeply with the grace and meaning of our lives.
“Exquisite storytelling. Written in the spirit of Anne Lamott or Elizabeth Gilbert, Neshama’s stories (and a few miracles) are uplifting, witty, and wise.” — Publishers Weekly
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
1149 people are currently reading
4616 people want to read
About the author
Rivvy Neshama
3 books88 followersRivvy Neshama is a writer, editor, and community organizer who has written for Ms., Glamour, Spirituality & Health, and The New York Times. As a storyteller, she is known for her warmth, honesty, and humor, which are abundantly offered in her book Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles. (It charms and inspires. What more could one ask? says Hal Zina Bennett, author of Write from the Heart)
Rivvy holds degrees in philosophy, comparative literature, social work, and education. Her spiritual path draws from many sources: Eastern and Western religions, Native traditions, strangers on the subway — and her mom!
Her life experiences have included being a teacher and social worker in Harlem, a campaign manager in Boulder, a college instructor in Queens, and a Tarot card reader at Macy’s on Halloween.
Born in Philadelphia and a longtime New Yorker, Rivvy now lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband, British author John Wilcockson.
Rivvy holds degrees in philosophy, comparative literature, social work, and education. Her spiritual path draws from many sources: Eastern and Western religions, Native traditions, strangers on the subway — and her mom!
Her life experiences have included being a teacher and social worker in Harlem, a campaign manager in Boulder, a college instructor in Queens, and a Tarot card reader at Macy’s on Halloween.
Born in Philadelphia and a longtime New Yorker, Rivvy now lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband, British author John Wilcockson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
November 12, 2013
How can so much wisdom, warmth, honesty, fun, compassion, and a realistic love for human nature be found in such abundance in one book? Rivvy Neshama has succeeded in doing just that in her RECIPES FOR A SACRED LIFE. These intensely personal stories reveal the sacred in the everyday with charm and poignancy. They give fresh insight into family, nature, ritual, making love, celebration, friendship and forgiveness from a rich variety of perspectives--Huichol, Sufi, Jewish, and Californian! Particular favorites of mine were "Grateful in Harlem," "Miracles to Share," and "Tea and Compassion." Neshama's candor and sense of humor, especially about her own quirks and foibles, keep the stories from sounding preachy. I treasure this very well written book and look forward to giving and recommending it others.
November 15, 2013
I'm not normally a reader of spiritual or self-help books, but a free review copy of Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles by Rivvy Neshama landed in my iPad so I read it. I'm delighted I did. Ms. Neshama thoughtfully and playfully wrote about small life experiences from which she learned big lessons about love, marriage, happiness, gratitude, letting go, living and dying, and much more. In each very short chapter, she tells a story from her real life and shares the lesson she learned from it without hitting the reader over the head with her message.
Recipes for a Sacred Life would be a perfect choice for opening randomly in the morning to find a lesson to guide your day, a thought to focus on as you went about your usual routine, or perhaps a suggestion for getting you out of your rut.
Recipes for a Sacred Life would be a perfect choice for opening randomly in the morning to find a lesson to guide your day, a thought to focus on as you went about your usual routine, or perhaps a suggestion for getting you out of your rut.
October 1, 2013
I love this book. Each of the author's stories contains a nugget of wisdom, always delivered in a way that's entertaining and usually with that special kind of humor that allows us to see beyond the limits of our everyday perceptions.
November 11, 2020
I would highly recommend this book!!! SO many, many nuggets for life in here! I am planning to buy several hard copies to pass onto family and friends. I have to be honest, I didn't really expect much from this book. I don't really know why I didn't, but I am SO thankful that I started reading it and found that it is a priceless book!
August 19, 2020
i got rivvy's book out of the library thinking it was a memoir, but by the time i finished reading it i'd made notations for so many passages that resonated with wisdom i wanted to keep tapping into that i had to buy it. which says everything you need to know about what a gem this book is, b/c i get 95% of my books out of the library—i choose to buy only sacred texts, only wisdom resources, books that i'm going to keep diving into & diving into & diving into. like "sacred recipes."
February 3, 2020
Recipes For A Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles is not just another book of feel good stories detailing how other people have overcome adversity. Instead, it is a book of stories that includes specific suggestions for how people can live a sacred life. The book came about after Neshama did an exercise in a book to find her highest purpose. She identified her highest purpose as living a sacred life and she soon realized through a series of synchronicities that she should write a book about how to live a sacred life. Once she set her intention, she began meeting the people who provided the stories for the book.
Throughout the book Neshama shares stories of her successes, her failures, her happiness, and her grief and she provides guidance on dealing with the good days and the bad. One of the practices in her book that really spoke to me was saying hello to the sun each morning. She doesn't advocate a hard core practice of rising at god-awful o'clock each morning to see the sunrise, but recommends making a conscious effort to say hello to the sun when you first step outside or making an effort to step outside to greet the sun. I've started this practice over the last few weeks and it has helped me be more in touch with the world around me. Once I realized how good saying hello to the sun felt, I expanded the practice and I now say hello to the sun, the earth, the wind, and the water. Saying hello to the elements has helped me to realize that I am supported on this journey through life.
What I love most about this book is that each of the vignettes in the book are only a few pages so I can pick it up and read a few pages, then go on with my day. Or I can settle in for a longer read if that's what I need. This will definitely be a book that sits on my nightstand to provide a pick me up.
Throughout the book Neshama shares stories of her successes, her failures, her happiness, and her grief and she provides guidance on dealing with the good days and the bad. One of the practices in her book that really spoke to me was saying hello to the sun each morning. She doesn't advocate a hard core practice of rising at god-awful o'clock each morning to see the sunrise, but recommends making a conscious effort to say hello to the sun when you first step outside or making an effort to step outside to greet the sun. I've started this practice over the last few weeks and it has helped me be more in touch with the world around me. Once I realized how good saying hello to the sun felt, I expanded the practice and I now say hello to the sun, the earth, the wind, and the water. Saying hello to the elements has helped me to realize that I am supported on this journey through life.
What I love most about this book is that each of the vignettes in the book are only a few pages so I can pick it up and read a few pages, then go on with my day. Or I can settle in for a longer read if that's what I need. This will definitely be a book that sits on my nightstand to provide a pick me up.
November 22, 2013
I dare you to read just one.
I fell in love with so many of these stories, and their characters, that while I intended to parse the read out over several weeks, like a great box of chocolates, I couldn't stop. I couldn't put it down, as I entered an enchanted world, that I came to see was my very own, right in front of me.
I fell in love with so many of these stories, and their characters, that while I intended to parse the read out over several weeks, like a great box of chocolates, I couldn't stop. I couldn't put it down, as I entered an enchanted world, that I came to see was my very own, right in front of me.
September 16, 2020
“Good day, be grateful. Bad day, be graceful.”
Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles is a wonderful and inspiring way to learn timeless wisdom.
Rivvy’s work is a guide to joy, inner peace, and everything else in between!
A must-read book for those looking to live in alignment with the heart
Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles is a wonderful and inspiring way to learn timeless wisdom.
Rivvy’s work is a guide to joy, inner peace, and everything else in between!
A must-read book for those looking to live in alignment with the heart
May 27, 2021
Such a inspirational book to see life’s little things as the most important aspects of our lives. Each of which create recipes for a sacred life.
March 19, 2021
Incredibly meaningful and so very relevant. Even the parts I didn't feel like I could identify with I still felt able to learn from them. Also, just like the stories in the book, it felt like I read the book at the exact right time for the exact right things to read at that time. I strongly recommend this one.
May 26, 2020
I spontaneously ordered this book to round out a book order I was making to qualify for free shipping. So fitting, after reading and loving this book. I dare say this is probably the right book at the right time for anyone.
September 12, 2020
Touching
Full of wonderfully vivid moments, stirring quotes and a gentle encouragement to embrace the small miracles in life! How basic and exalting can, joy,grace,faith,gratitude and being be!
Full of wonderfully vivid moments, stirring quotes and a gentle encouragement to embrace the small miracles in life! How basic and exalting can, joy,grace,faith,gratitude and being be!
July 28, 2021
The best of all the church book club books I have read. I’ll be picking this up again, from time to time just to be inspired. Heartwarming, very deep, and enjoyed.
June 27, 2022
I’ve read a great many of these books of little meditations on life. Anne Lamott, Shauna Niequist, Abigail Thomas are all notables in this category. Rivvy Neshama’s book is a notable contender in this field. Her essays are well written, interesting, and authentic in their recognition of bad days as well as good ones.
March 17, 2022
I loved "Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles" by Rivvy Neshama. You know how it is when you go to a restaurant and look through their menu and you're drawn to the variety of appetizers for dinner instead of having a one course meal? This is how I felt about Neshama's delightful book. Instead of one long book about how a sacred life should look, Nehama offers these beautiful, small moments from her own life that are presented throughout the book, shedding insights into how she came to recognize the sacred in all of life. Perhaps what I found most appealing was her honesty in allowing her true emotions to surface in any given situation. I think we are often under the impression that in order to live a sacred life, one must be "happy" all of the time instead of being truthful in how we really feel. Neshama helps to dispel this notion. Beautifully written and thought-provoking, "Recipes for a Sacred Life" will leave you feeling like Neshama is a new close friend, sharing her humor, wit, and wisdom with you and your own sacred life. A lovely book to be read through, dog-eared, and enjoyed many times. Recommended.
December 7, 2013
If this book had not been sent to me in the hopes of my reviewing it then I probably would never have read it. I don't want to say that this book is not in my standard wheel house of books as I have expanded my book collection on what I will read but still this is not the book I would have first chosen. However I found myself drawn to this book and thus am happy I did take a chance on it.
I know this book is probably meant to be read and savored in little bits with each lesson to be reflected on but I read this book as a memoir with reading all of the lessons. Now that I have, I can go back and re-read the lessons one by one. Rivvy shares some good lessons that everyone can use in their lives. The stories were good as well.
I know this book is probably meant to be read and savored in little bits with each lesson to be reflected on but I read this book as a memoir with reading all of the lessons. Now that I have, I can go back and re-read the lessons one by one. Rivvy shares some good lessons that everyone can use in their lives. The stories were good as well.
August 20, 2020
Full of Wonderful Life Lessons and a Great Read
Recipes for a Sacred Life really is full of “timeless wisdom.” The thought-provoking short stories made me reflect on how I can sometimes change my own perspective in order to find more happiness and serenity. The author is not at all preachy and the true stories made for a lovely read—I didn’t feel like I was working hard to receive the author’s message. I learned some good life lessons that I’ll keep with me forever.
I highly recommend this book (even to people who say they don’t like this genre). The world is tough, especially now, and it’s up to each of us to make the best of it. This book will help you do just that.
Recipes for a Sacred Life really is full of “timeless wisdom.” The thought-provoking short stories made me reflect on how I can sometimes change my own perspective in order to find more happiness and serenity. The author is not at all preachy and the true stories made for a lovely read—I didn’t feel like I was working hard to receive the author’s message. I learned some good life lessons that I’ll keep with me forever.
I highly recommend this book (even to people who say they don’t like this genre). The world is tough, especially now, and it’s up to each of us to make the best of it. This book will help you do just that.
December 28, 2020
Healing
I found this book, for me, to be life transforming. I loved the honesty coming from the author, making me feel, for once that my own insecurities were not unique to me but to Life in general. Reading this book has given me the impetus to keep moving forward, to embrace all my quirks, as they are my quirks. They are “me”. I loved the humor, seeing the lighter side of the dark sides of my life. Loved that I can find sacredness in simple things and don’t have to always be looking for grandeur to feel “at one” with God. In other words KISS - keep it simple stupid and know that joy comes from doing “joy”. Enjoying the peace being felt on reading the last pages.
I found this book, for me, to be life transforming. I loved the honesty coming from the author, making me feel, for once that my own insecurities were not unique to me but to Life in general. Reading this book has given me the impetus to keep moving forward, to embrace all my quirks, as they are my quirks. They are “me”. I loved the humor, seeing the lighter side of the dark sides of my life. Loved that I can find sacredness in simple things and don’t have to always be looking for grandeur to feel “at one” with God. In other words KISS - keep it simple stupid and know that joy comes from doing “joy”. Enjoying the peace being felt on reading the last pages.
December 2, 2013
Visit my blog for a full review of Recipes for a Sacred Life and many others.
I couldn't read just one a day. I read them all, consecutively, as if it were a plain ol' fiction novel. Rivvy's characters and voice are warm and friendly, like you've known each other for years. While I felt some stories lacked in details, this somehow lends itself to the "known you for years" feel--you already know the details because you've heard the story at least once before.
I couldn't read just one a day. I read them all, consecutively, as if it were a plain ol' fiction novel. Rivvy's characters and voice are warm and friendly, like you've known each other for years. While I felt some stories lacked in details, this somehow lends itself to the "known you for years" feel--you already know the details because you've heard the story at least once before.
March 28, 2021
A gentle and heartful remembrance, with words of wisdom to keep in mind along your own journey. The experiences shared in this book will resonate with daughters, mothers, and grandmothers. It contains poetry, photos, quotes from different religious texts, and personal stories collected by the author over time. She put these words into the world with the hope they'd be a guide to living joyfully and finding meaning. A thoughtful, encouraging, and lovely work that felt like a gift from one generation of women to another.
December 2, 2013
I found Recipes for a Sacred Life to be full of tasty morsels that I continue to savor long after having read this book. It is indeed a moveable and moving feast! I discovered myself in so many of these tales. And I was reminded of the many sacred encounters I have had and their unexpected gifts. Thank you Rivvy for opening a door onto my life.
March 27, 2021
Sweet reminder
This was a wonderful read and sweet reminder that we are all perfect in our imperfections. A reminder that each day, whether we find it difficult or easy to walk through, is one of opportunity. It’s an easy read full of wonderful tips, ideas and reminders whether your a long sojourner or beginner.
This was a wonderful read and sweet reminder that we are all perfect in our imperfections. A reminder that each day, whether we find it difficult or easy to walk through, is one of opportunity. It’s an easy read full of wonderful tips, ideas and reminders whether your a long sojourner or beginner.
February 19, 2022
I hated this book. It is trite and full of hippy dippy trippy soundbites - there is almost nothing of substance here. When I say "almost nothing" I'm being kind. There is nothing of substance here - you'd be better served by buying a daily affirmations desk calendar.
December 6, 2020
Soul-nourishing
It took me a while to warm up to this book-it consists of short chapters which each reflect on an aspect of life. But it was an enjoyable read and worth my time.
It took me a while to warm up to this book-it consists of short chapters which each reflect on an aspect of life. But it was an enjoyable read and worth my time.
March 30, 2021
Delightful.
A perfect book to remind a person about how little moments can and will become small salvation. I enjoyed reading this.
A perfect book to remind a person about how little moments can and will become small salvation. I enjoyed reading this.
September 7, 2021
This little book is full of great ideas and practical suggestions. I'm grateful to have read it.
September 24, 2021
Loved this book
I loved this book. I bought for its cover. So in this case you can judge a book by its cover. Very uplifting.
I loved this book. I bought for its cover. So in this case you can judge a book by its cover. Very uplifting.
December 16, 2013
Recipes for A Sacred Life: Rivvy Neshama
Recipes come in many tastes, varieties, and books, presented on cooking shows and sometimes created by you in your own kitchen. But, the recipes I am going to share with you are not ones that you can eat but are recipes that will embrace you as a person, make you understand your feelings, emotions, ups and downs better and allow you to live A Sacred Life. So, rather than reviewing this book in the conventional way by telling you about the plot, summarizing the salient points I’ve decided to create my own Recipe Book using the many thoughts, stories and experiences shared by the author and link them to how they impacted or will impact my life.
The author begins our journey with The Basic Ingredients which are quite simple to understand and will start everyone including myself on a positive recipe in life journey: After reading a story that about her mother and their outlooks on life and death the author ends this great story with a great beginning for the Basic Ingredients I want to include on my way to a Sacred Life: saying various blessings as she shares many within her day and at the end of her day one that stands out is: It’s a good day to die! It’s a good day to live! I’d like to add: It’s a good day as long as you are alive and you are here!
So, where shall I begin well when dealing with stress she read Deepak Chopra; The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and she highlights four specific points that help her cope with many situations on a daily basis. Added to my recipe book I have found that Number one really helped me when dealing with a stressful situation that has been with me and will be with more for a long time: Making time to be silent, still and do nothing. Not easy. Number Three: Just walking outside and appreciating the world, the blue sky and the bright sunshine really help. Yes: I even say good morning to the trees and the birds. One story that really hit home is “Grateful in Harlem.” From this insightful story I took away the following to add to my own special book: After reading her story and her talk with a woman named Billie I realized that pain belongs to each one of us individually and sometimes we get down on ourselves and forget that we are worth so much more and stop putting ourselves down. When dealing with family or difficult people we often wonder why they react in certain ways, forget that we are there for them and that they can call on us for anything. Sometimes losing a loved one changes the whole complexion of a family and the author shares another recipe she received from Billie the Church Lady: Make two lists, which I did, and make them as long as you want; One: I’m grateful for…. And the other : “ I love in me….” Just putting your thoughts down in each list will list many burdens. “ Tea and Compassion” is really a great story where she describes how she met Halil Baba and how he taught her how to deal with her imperfections and our sins. From this story I added how to find compassion for those that make mistakes and how to find it in myself.
“Miracles to Share,” is my favorite story because I believe in miracles and hope for more each day. The story she shares deals with getting a dress for her daughter’s wedding. She wanted one that reflects who she is and not what others want her to be. The story will stun you as the end result will be a total surprise. Miracles happen when someone does something for you that is unexpected, kind and eases your plight as another one happens when her mother is ill and an angel on the phone helps her find her way and create flight plans that helped her. The odd part is in both stories the two women that helped her disappeared from their jobs and were no longer working there when she called to thank them. Strange but true: From this I took away added to my own book: :There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” After undergoing surgery last month I realized in some respects the outcome really was a miracle in itself. Believe in something and you just might find success. I love the story : This Too Shall Pass and from this I learned a lot from the story of King Solomon: When things are hopeless and you fell your problems are so heavy remember as I do now: “Life is good, feel blessed and remember that : sadness does not last forever and : this too shall pass.”
Poco Poco little by little is a great way to deal with heavy burdens. So, add that to my book followed by several stories that I found quite interesting: “Words to Live By,” “Hello to the Sun,” “The First Few Steps,” and “Confessions of a Listaholic.” From the first story I added to my own book: Remember your dreams, read and music. I start my day with a book early in the morning and love to play low music at the same time while reading. Reading is great and really takes you to places that you might never visit, into the lives of the characters and when it’s a memoir you become engulfed in the lives of so many people and learn about different places. The last story is me to a T. Lists keep me focused, centered and on task. The author creates more lists than most but did give me definite ideas for how to create my lists and be more organized: So from this story and her list of lists I decided to add: What To Do Today, What I hope to accomplish this week” and What my five priorities for this week and the week to follow.
My favorites keep changing. I often pick “Grateful in Harlem” or “The Humble Oatmeal” or “Miracles to Share.” But lately, my favorite has been “Joy.” When I first wrote it, it was a collage of ‘snapshots’ of moments of great joy, almost like a poem. I showed it to my daughter (since she and my grandchildren were in it), and she said, “Well, it’s pretty, but what’s the point?” She had a point! But I loved the story and didn’t want to let it go. Then, one day, I realized there was a final ‘snapshot’ that belonged in that story: a memory I had of a time of great sadness. And once I added it, the story was complete, a mixture of joy and sorrow that reflects the cycles of life and how they’re inextricably connected.
When things are difficult sometimes there are people who have their own recipes that I have included in my special book : No Worries: I say that all the time when I want to ease the tension of one of my nephews who wants my take on a project he’s doing or my favorite story about Rita. Of course you have to love her since we both come from THE BRONX and her great attitude and positive outlook is inspiring. So, what can we add that Rita from Rita: Prayers: thinking that her’s were always heard and never giving up on praying to the Blessed Mother. Rita is truly special and even when they had to put her in an assisted living we learned just what happens when an embarrassing situation and turn out to be not so bad. You want to know more! Find out when you read her story.
Have a great day was what my sister would say. I miss her. Have a grateful day was another one of her expressions and at times I use them both so let’s add these two into my special book and think about everything you are grateful for: I am grateful for the memories I have of my sister and I growing up in the Bronx and dancing at my parties in my living room that was a big as a thumb tack. I miss her smile.
Recipes for Partners Keeping Love Sacred is great and I added Number Three to my special book: Telling each other how you feel about them and focusing on positive things is a great way to stay connected. “One Holy Day,” reminded me of family holidays in my house when my grandmother would set two huge tables in the living room but not before removing the couch and all of the other chairs into the kitchen. Once you sat down for dinner you did not get up because you could not. The food was great and family fun even better and picture of the author’s Nana lighting candles, scrubbing the house brought tears of great memories to my eyes.
As Reading and Writing Staff developer, dean and educator I loved the story titled: The Humble Oatmeal. First of all Oatmeal is my staple and I love having it for breakfast everyday. Teaching a child to read is a blessing, is a miracle and helping them to understand how precious reading is fulfilled me every day for the 36 years I taught. When the author allows us to read her list of what she feels is her calling: Helping Others is a huge job, Oatmeal special and together a great recipe for success. “Birth, Marriage and Death,” three so very precious topics and each with their own special thoughts. Losing a parent, a friend and watching friends marry, carry different thoughts but add this to my book and yours: as the author states: Weddings, births and death: she feels grace at all threes. It is more than just rituals: it’s simply the essence of love.”
The final two I want to spotlight: Joy and the great picture that precedes the story and the last story: One Last Song. When the world seems dark and you think you are going to fold: Only a mother can help you hang in: Add this: Be Strong: the good times will come back. Finally, the story about her mother Irene Feldman brought tears to my eyes and the poem is perfect: the first song I learned to play on the piano was: Frere Jacques and the poem is sung to that tune: Here both the author and her sister sing the words to this precious song on page 219. The best recipe is a mother’s song and Betty Boop, my sister’s favorite and of course any song in Jewish is what I grew up with as my grandmother would sing to me when I was sad.
What is the Recipe for a Sacred Life: Read this insightful, humorous, heartfelt book filled with stories from the author’s life, past and present, hear her voice, learn about the many different time periods and remember the best recipe for life is Living and : It’s A Great Day To Live and even better after you read this book.
Fran Lewis: My thoughts
Recipes come in many tastes, varieties, and books, presented on cooking shows and sometimes created by you in your own kitchen. But, the recipes I am going to share with you are not ones that you can eat but are recipes that will embrace you as a person, make you understand your feelings, emotions, ups and downs better and allow you to live A Sacred Life. So, rather than reviewing this book in the conventional way by telling you about the plot, summarizing the salient points I’ve decided to create my own Recipe Book using the many thoughts, stories and experiences shared by the author and link them to how they impacted or will impact my life.
The author begins our journey with The Basic Ingredients which are quite simple to understand and will start everyone including myself on a positive recipe in life journey: After reading a story that about her mother and their outlooks on life and death the author ends this great story with a great beginning for the Basic Ingredients I want to include on my way to a Sacred Life: saying various blessings as she shares many within her day and at the end of her day one that stands out is: It’s a good day to die! It’s a good day to live! I’d like to add: It’s a good day as long as you are alive and you are here!
So, where shall I begin well when dealing with stress she read Deepak Chopra; The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and she highlights four specific points that help her cope with many situations on a daily basis. Added to my recipe book I have found that Number one really helped me when dealing with a stressful situation that has been with me and will be with more for a long time: Making time to be silent, still and do nothing. Not easy. Number Three: Just walking outside and appreciating the world, the blue sky and the bright sunshine really help. Yes: I even say good morning to the trees and the birds. One story that really hit home is “Grateful in Harlem.” From this insightful story I took away the following to add to my own special book: After reading her story and her talk with a woman named Billie I realized that pain belongs to each one of us individually and sometimes we get down on ourselves and forget that we are worth so much more and stop putting ourselves down. When dealing with family or difficult people we often wonder why they react in certain ways, forget that we are there for them and that they can call on us for anything. Sometimes losing a loved one changes the whole complexion of a family and the author shares another recipe she received from Billie the Church Lady: Make two lists, which I did, and make them as long as you want; One: I’m grateful for…. And the other : “ I love in me….” Just putting your thoughts down in each list will list many burdens. “ Tea and Compassion” is really a great story where she describes how she met Halil Baba and how he taught her how to deal with her imperfections and our sins. From this story I added how to find compassion for those that make mistakes and how to find it in myself.
“Miracles to Share,” is my favorite story because I believe in miracles and hope for more each day. The story she shares deals with getting a dress for her daughter’s wedding. She wanted one that reflects who she is and not what others want her to be. The story will stun you as the end result will be a total surprise. Miracles happen when someone does something for you that is unexpected, kind and eases your plight as another one happens when her mother is ill and an angel on the phone helps her find her way and create flight plans that helped her. The odd part is in both stories the two women that helped her disappeared from their jobs and were no longer working there when she called to thank them. Strange but true: From this I took away added to my own book: :There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” After undergoing surgery last month I realized in some respects the outcome really was a miracle in itself. Believe in something and you just might find success. I love the story : This Too Shall Pass and from this I learned a lot from the story of King Solomon: When things are hopeless and you fell your problems are so heavy remember as I do now: “Life is good, feel blessed and remember that : sadness does not last forever and : this too shall pass.”
Poco Poco little by little is a great way to deal with heavy burdens. So, add that to my book followed by several stories that I found quite interesting: “Words to Live By,” “Hello to the Sun,” “The First Few Steps,” and “Confessions of a Listaholic.” From the first story I added to my own book: Remember your dreams, read and music. I start my day with a book early in the morning and love to play low music at the same time while reading. Reading is great and really takes you to places that you might never visit, into the lives of the characters and when it’s a memoir you become engulfed in the lives of so many people and learn about different places. The last story is me to a T. Lists keep me focused, centered and on task. The author creates more lists than most but did give me definite ideas for how to create my lists and be more organized: So from this story and her list of lists I decided to add: What To Do Today, What I hope to accomplish this week” and What my five priorities for this week and the week to follow.
My favorites keep changing. I often pick “Grateful in Harlem” or “The Humble Oatmeal” or “Miracles to Share.” But lately, my favorite has been “Joy.” When I first wrote it, it was a collage of ‘snapshots’ of moments of great joy, almost like a poem. I showed it to my daughter (since she and my grandchildren were in it), and she said, “Well, it’s pretty, but what’s the point?” She had a point! But I loved the story and didn’t want to let it go. Then, one day, I realized there was a final ‘snapshot’ that belonged in that story: a memory I had of a time of great sadness. And once I added it, the story was complete, a mixture of joy and sorrow that reflects the cycles of life and how they’re inextricably connected.
When things are difficult sometimes there are people who have their own recipes that I have included in my special book : No Worries: I say that all the time when I want to ease the tension of one of my nephews who wants my take on a project he’s doing or my favorite story about Rita. Of course you have to love her since we both come from THE BRONX and her great attitude and positive outlook is inspiring. So, what can we add that Rita from Rita: Prayers: thinking that her’s were always heard and never giving up on praying to the Blessed Mother. Rita is truly special and even when they had to put her in an assisted living we learned just what happens when an embarrassing situation and turn out to be not so bad. You want to know more! Find out when you read her story.
Have a great day was what my sister would say. I miss her. Have a grateful day was another one of her expressions and at times I use them both so let’s add these two into my special book and think about everything you are grateful for: I am grateful for the memories I have of my sister and I growing up in the Bronx and dancing at my parties in my living room that was a big as a thumb tack. I miss her smile.
Recipes for Partners Keeping Love Sacred is great and I added Number Three to my special book: Telling each other how you feel about them and focusing on positive things is a great way to stay connected. “One Holy Day,” reminded me of family holidays in my house when my grandmother would set two huge tables in the living room but not before removing the couch and all of the other chairs into the kitchen. Once you sat down for dinner you did not get up because you could not. The food was great and family fun even better and picture of the author’s Nana lighting candles, scrubbing the house brought tears of great memories to my eyes.
As Reading and Writing Staff developer, dean and educator I loved the story titled: The Humble Oatmeal. First of all Oatmeal is my staple and I love having it for breakfast everyday. Teaching a child to read is a blessing, is a miracle and helping them to understand how precious reading is fulfilled me every day for the 36 years I taught. When the author allows us to read her list of what she feels is her calling: Helping Others is a huge job, Oatmeal special and together a great recipe for success. “Birth, Marriage and Death,” three so very precious topics and each with their own special thoughts. Losing a parent, a friend and watching friends marry, carry different thoughts but add this to my book and yours: as the author states: Weddings, births and death: she feels grace at all threes. It is more than just rituals: it’s simply the essence of love.”
The final two I want to spotlight: Joy and the great picture that precedes the story and the last story: One Last Song. When the world seems dark and you think you are going to fold: Only a mother can help you hang in: Add this: Be Strong: the good times will come back. Finally, the story about her mother Irene Feldman brought tears to my eyes and the poem is perfect: the first song I learned to play on the piano was: Frere Jacques and the poem is sung to that tune: Here both the author and her sister sing the words to this precious song on page 219. The best recipe is a mother’s song and Betty Boop, my sister’s favorite and of course any song in Jewish is what I grew up with as my grandmother would sing to me when I was sad.
What is the Recipe for a Sacred Life: Read this insightful, humorous, heartfelt book filled with stories from the author’s life, past and present, hear her voice, learn about the many different time periods and remember the best recipe for life is Living and : It’s A Great Day To Live and even better after you read this book.
Fran Lewis: My thoughts
April 22, 2024
This book wasn’t what I thought it was. Still I particularly liked part three, Animal Chats and Other Unions With Nature.
One of my favorite stories was, Simples Pleasures. Reading this story stimulated my sensory memories as I smelled the air dried sheets and recalled the joy of playing hide and seek between the billowing fabrics. It took me back to a place I wanted to stay. Better than an all expenses paid vacation was the trip back down memory lane that this book helped me recall.
One of my favorite stories was, Simples Pleasures. Reading this story stimulated my sensory memories as I smelled the air dried sheets and recalled the joy of playing hide and seek between the billowing fabrics. It took me back to a place I wanted to stay. Better than an all expenses paid vacation was the trip back down memory lane that this book helped me recall.
February 14, 2021
A book full of little nuggets of wisdom, truth and love. Rivvy shares funny, warm and uplifting insight into looking at life through a lens of compassion, gratitude and humor. I’m not much for self-help books, however in reading this book, I gained insight into looking at life, everyday life, the simplicity of life, with a new sense of being.
“Today is a good day to die, and today is a good day to live”
“Today is a good day to die, and today is a good day to live”
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