THE BOOK: LIVE A LIFE YOU LOVE
Thank you so much for your interest in my writing work and my 2010 book, Live a Life You Love: 7 Steps to a Healthier, Happier, More Passionate You. I was so passionate about the messages in the book when I wrote it (“experience more happiness”, “live your dreams” etc.), and time and experience have shaped me since.
I have heard from many people over the years, that this book made a significant difference to their lives. Some of the stories have been incredible! This brings me so much joy.
Living with joy and achieving your dreams are good things, of course. As someone with a history of depression and burnout, I am still very passionate about teaching people how to make wise day-to-day choices that support and create optimal physical and mental health, increase resilience and build a meaningful life.
That said, I no longer believe that “happiness” and “living your dreams” are the most important, primary ingredients for a well-lived life. They are still good things, but I have come to feel that I overemphasized them in the book.
A truly meaningful life that matters isn’t one that is focused primarily on the self (and my book was pretty self-focused, to be honest). I’m no longer such a fan of ambitious, relentless self-actualization, though I still believe in developing one’s talents, abilities and passions and working/living with excellence.
Even though our culture might tell us otherwise, life’s not really about being the biggest or the best. Big isn’t necessarily better, and a focus on striving for more (particularly as a lifelong attitude) can be a grievous error. Of course we need our leaders, innovators and champions who dream big. The average person though, might be made to feel that their life isn’t of great worth, because they’re not doing something special or “big”. This is a potential source of needless despair.
There is a lot of content in the book that I still agree with. If you do decide to buy and read the book, I encourage you to do so from this perspective: take in what’s good, but please question anything that seems to be blindly aligned with popular cultural themes or may excessively self-focused. Consider, instead, the alternative (and even counter-cultural) approaches to a well-lived life, that come from a place of deep wisdom and true purpose.
I do still wish you a life that you love. May you live with the kind of love and deep appreciation that comes from looking back and appreciating both the highs and the lows, the good times and the mistakes, for what they taught you. A life that you can be deeply grateful for, today.
To buy the book from Amazon.ca (Canada) click here
To buy the book from Amazon.com (USA) click here
Ready for a Change?
Get a FREE EBOOK with 10 SIMPLE WAYS to
BOOST YOUR MOOD, INCREASE ENERGY & REDUCE STRESS
Recent Articles

Stop Rushing and Pushing (Especially in Difficult Times)
We are living in exceptionally difficult times. Last week, just when we thought we might finally get a reprieve from all things COVID, Russia invaded Ukraine. A friend posted this on social media: "Why am I so exhausted?" she asked. "I have been for the last week. I'm...

Overwhelmed? Walk Off Your Anxiety
I woke up with anxiety the other day. I hadn’t gotten enough sleep, so that was probably the main cause, but I’ve also been unusually busy with work. As I got up and started to move around, I could feel that telltale flutter of anxiety in my chest. It wasn’t tied to...

Prevent Work-From-Home Burnout Through Better Work-Life Boundaries
Whether you're in a work-from-home or on-site situation, your ability to place boundaries between your work and your personal life impacts not only your personal well-being, but also your ability to perform at a high level in your work. As I always say, work-life...
Coaching
Do you feel stuck?
Are you feeling trapped, overwhelmed or unfulfilled in your work – or your whole life? Have you been wanting to make changes for a while?
If you’re like many of the people I work with, you’re struggling to enjoy your work or may no longer enjoy it at all. You feel more and more stressed and irritable, and that stress is starting to spill over into your personal life. I would love to help you fix all of this!

Kind Words