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In short, Kelly reminds us with an unmatched clarity of one simple truth -- we are too busy. From there, he takes us on a journey deep within ourselves to discover why we cling to hectic schedules, why we avoid silence, and how we can create a lifestyle that alleviates the restlessness which plagues our hearts. "Our chaotic world and complex lives are crying out for a little order and simplicity."
In The Rhythm of Life, Kelly outlines simple steps and everyday actions that create a way of life -- a lifestyle -- which is more conducive to the well-being of the whole person: physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Using stories, examples, and anecdotes to captivate our attention, Kelly's writing style parallels his inimitable speaking style, and through the power of the written word he is able to further highlight and emphasize his ideas. The truth of these ideas is self-evident and can be validated by your own experience of life in our modern world.
Everything is a choice.
This is life's greatest truth and its hardest lesson. It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power. Not power over others, but the often untapped power to be ourselves and to live the life we have imagined.
It is a hard lesson, because it causes us to realize that we have chosen the life we are living right now. It is perhaps frightening for us to think that we have chosen to live our life exactly as it is today. Frightening because we may not like what we find when we look at our lives today. But it is also liberating, because we can now begin to choose what we will find when we look at our life in the tomorrows that lie unlived before us.
What will you see when you look at your life ten years from now? What will you choose?
Life is choices.
You have chosen to live this day. You have chosen to read this book. You have chosen to live in a certain city. You have chosen to believe certain ideas. You have chosen the people you call friends.
You choose the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the thoughts you think. You choose to be calm or restless, you choose to feel appreciative or ungrateful.
Love is a choice. Anger is a choice. Fear is a choice. Courage is a choice.
You choose.
Sometimes we choose the-best-version-of-ourselves, and sometimes we choose a-second-rate-version-of-ourselves.
Everything is a choice, and our choices echo throughout our lives... and into history... and on and on into eternity.
Most people never fully accept this truth. They spend their lives arguing for their weaknesses, complaining about their lot in life, or blaming other people for their weaknesses and their lot in life.
You may argue that you are forced to live in a certain city or drive a certain car, but it is not true. And if it is, it is true only temporarily and because of a choice you have made in the past.
We choose, and in doing so, we design our lives.
Some may say that we do not choose our circumstances. You'd be surprised. We have much more power over the circumstances of our lives than most men and women would ever admit. And even if circumstances are thrust upon us, we choose how we respond to those circumstances.
Others may argue that they did not choose the country they were born in or the parents they were born to. How do we know we didn't choose these things? We are all endowed with free will. Did we not have this free will before we were born? Perhaps one day we will realize that we have chosen much more than we have even imagined.
I hope that day is today.
For the day we accept that we have chosen to choose our choices is the day we cast off the shackles of victimhood and are set free to pursue the lives we were born to live.
Learn to master the moment of decision and you will live a life uncommon.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly Copyright © 1999 by Matthew Kelly. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
| Introduction | 1 | |
| 1 | Crisis | 3 |
| 2 | What Do You Want From Life? | 19 |
| 3 | Who Are You? | 45 |
| 4 | The Importance of Rhythm | 111 |
| 5 | Creating the Rhythm | 125 |
| 6 | The Way | 177 |
| 7 | The Abundant Life | 221 |
Anonymous
Posted February 12, 2012
Amazing book..totally recommend "Rediscover Catholicism" as well!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 5, 2009
An incredible book that everyone must read. I have read it several times and have it on cd loaded on my ipod listening to it weekly. He is an amazing human being and very inspirational.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 15, 2008
In Matthew Kelly¿s The Rhythm of Life, the author utilizes several of his own experiences, as well as those of famous athletes, musicians and humanitarians to emphasize the importance of finding a balance, or rhythm, in one¿s life. Through an examination of four aspects of the human being: the physical, spiritual, intellection and emotional realms, Kelly discusses the importance of energy and discernment between needs and desires in achieving such a balance. In addition, the author emphasizes several more specific aspects of ones life which require strict attention and management to achieve ¿rhythm¿. Simple tasks such as prioritizing ones life and getting enough sleep and relaxation play a large role in Kelly¿s quest towards happiness and ultimate fulfillment. Though the work does include the importance God has been in Matthew¿s own life, the text is by no means centered around God, but rather focuses on morality and assessing one¿s inner self to determine a path to excellence, and ultimately, fulfillment.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 11, 2004
To not read this book is to rob yourself of a life lived more meaningfully and more passionately. Matthew Kelly is more than a genius. A man with unmatched intelligence and a heart and spirit to match. At the age of 31, he has the clarity, wisdom, and insight to break through directly to the heart of the matter and enlighten us with the truth. Life is not about doing and having. Life is about being. 'Who you become is infinitely more important than what you do or what you have.' I have read the book four times and appreciate everything in my life more because of it. Every person, every relationship, every day, every breath! When you know what life is all about, you know the right answer to every question asked. When you know what life is about, you know what you should dedicate your time to. When you know what life is about, focusing comes naturally. 'Dedicate yourself to the things that deserve your dedication.' Matthew Kelly explains that the purpose of life is for us to become the-best-version-of-ourselves. The world doesn't need another Mother Theresa, the world doesn't need another Tiger Woods, the world needs you! Each of us can do one thing better than any other person alive at this moment in history. Matthew Kelly encourages us to discover our genius. My review doesn't even scrape the surface of the marvels of this book. READ THIS BOOK! There is not a person on this earth who wouldn't benefit from Matthew's incomparable message.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 25, 2013
This book is an excellent read for all ages. It is never too soon or too late to learn. Everyone wants to find their purpose in life and to be happy, enjoy everyday.
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Posted September 27, 2011
This is the kind of book you want to keep handy through out your life. Re read at different stages of you life and it will give you new insight. Anything Matthew Kelly will be highly motivating and life altering.
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Posted May 14, 2008
As a senior in high school, I live a very hectic life. Between juggling schoolwork, my job, and my family life, I am exhausted at the end of the day. I chose this book for a school project, hoping it would help me find the ¿rhythm of life¿. Matthew Kelly, the author of the book had spoken at my school two years before and gave each student a copy of the book. For two years it has sat on a shelf in my room, gathering dust. When I picked it up to read, I was going into it expecting good things. Unfortunately, Matthew Kelly¿s advice failed to get me on the right track. One big problem with the book is that one of the things that is supposed to help you become the ¿best-version-of-yourself¿ is to pray. As an atheist, this does not really help me. Of course for religious people, this could possibly be of therapeutic value to you. But if you are not religious, it just doesn¿t help at all. Another problem is the advice in the book is pretty much common knowledge. I already know I need to pace myself in whatever activities I do or make sure to get enough sleep or to rest on occasion. It¿s not brilliant or filled with wisdom. Motivational posters could give out the same advice. One particularly good part of the book, though, was the clarification of what makes a successful person in life. Too many people think it¿s about fame and fortune, but as Kelly explains, it¿s just about being a good person and doing the right thing. If you are a religious person and find you are out of step with the ¿rhythm¿ of life, this book may be of use to you. Otherwise, there are better self-help books out there for you to read.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 16, 2005
This book has a lot of good things you can incorporate into your life every day. Among other things this book teaches of the balancing act of many aspects of our lives to make us better people. Although this book is Christian in nature, I read it as a non-christian and found much of the information useful and applicable to my life, as well as my sense of spirituality.
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Posted October 9, 2003
One of the best books I have ever read!
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Posted December 12, 2002
The Rhythm of Life is a book that will inspire you to pursue the true meaning of life and will make you want to aim to be the 'better person you know you can be'. Matthew Kelly has a special way of conveying these simple concepts and it leaves you pondering many of the things he mentions for days to come. Every person who reads this book will leave with an insight, an idea, or a new way of thinking...This book is not only for christian believers...it for ANYONE who wants to pursue the meaning of their existence. I would reccomend this book to anyone who has a desire to learn about him/herself and how we can truely be at peace with ourselves, and happy in our lives. You will enjoy this book and be inspired. Enjoy :)
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Posted December 12, 2000
This book has truly been an essential tool in my journey towards knowing myself better. This is the perfect gift for someone looking to start their own journey. It is has been an unexpected catalyst in ways that will be unique to each person who reads it. The author is also on the lecture circuit too, but I have not had the opportunity to see him yet.
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Posted January 6, 2010
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Posted February 17, 2011
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Posted June 30, 2010
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Posted December 19, 2009
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Overview
In short, Kelly reminds us with an ...