The Rhythm of Life : Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: A superb book that will help anyone to live at a higher level, grab this book! You will not be disappointed!!!

Rating:
Summary: Life changing
Review: Disclaimer for the objective reader: I'm not a Matthew Kelly obsessor, I've read Plato, Nietzche, Hume, and the like. I try my best to have an objective view and steer away from becoming overly enthusiastic about one man's view on life. So, take this review with a grain of salt, but also with the knowledge that I am coming from a less biased stand point than one who might have taken himself to a level of cultish obsession of Mr. Kelly.(Not to the fault of Matthew Kelly either, his message is not meant to create a cult following... people have a tendency to need a single leader though, and I say better Matthew Kelly than President Bush.)
eh hem... So, on to my review... If you are searching for self and struggling to become the best person you can be- spiritually, physically, emotionally-- this book is one that will cover all the bases for you. Matthew Kelly taps into the human psyche and acts as your own personal self-help coach. The Rhythm of Life is broad enough in terms that anyone can read it- no matter what your spiritual affiliation is (if you have one at all), and in the end, if you disagree with a point he makes- the author gives you room to do so without passing judgement. His approach is gentle and respectful and it has a powerful undertone of truth and honesty. He's a great story teller also, something he's known for, and he's got a good grasp on past philosophers and leaders whom he adamantly quotes and praises as great examples of people who found the rhythm of life.
This book has changed my life, not just because of what it says, but because the timing was right and I was open to his message. I was in sincere search for self and guidance when I read it and Matthew Kelly is really the only person whose words I found and felt comfortable enough with to truly start me on the way to living my life to its fullest and greatest potential. It will give you the boost you've been looking for.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I had spent so long looking on the outside for happiness, discovering of course that happiness is an inside job, but I was never sure how to find true happiness. In reading this book I realized there is a voice within me that is helping me become "the-best-version-of-myself", I had to rediscover that voice and listen to it. Reading this book helped me to do that. Everything is written so straightforward, and so sincere.
I have started to read other motivational books, but they lost my interest after awhile. "The Rhythm of Life" I read once all the way through and right now I spend a few minutes each day reading a chapter and than I take some quiet time to think about what I have read and how I am applying the simple suggestions to my life.
Matthew Kelly has an astonishing way of writing and story telling that has kept my attention. I had the pleasure of seeing Matthew Kelly speak a few months ago and I was really looking forward to this book. I can honestly say that I was not at all disappointed. It truly has given me a new outlook on life!


Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but a little disappointing
Review: I like the idea of being the best possible version of yourself that you can possibly be, but I guess I'm not blown away by the book because this isn't the most original idea in the world and I was hoping Mr. Kelly would come through with something more than just that concept. The stories he uses (like Willie Wonka) are cute, I suppose, but at the same time they're also pretty thin. If I were facing important life decisions I wouldn't lean on Matthew Kelly to inspire me through, though I suppose he would be just fine to chat over coffee.

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent, wise, and caring advice
Review: It is very nice to see that more and more people are interested in thinking and living life at a level that consciously promotes love and peace that is beyond the deceptive lure of drugs and sex we fell into in the 70's. This book provides us with very useful insights and helpful advice about how to live each moment of our lives with joy. These are the kinds of books we need to make this world a better place from now on. There are many excellent books on this sort of topic now and this is certainly one of them. Another one of my favorites on this topic is "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. It explains this using various psychological theories but is easily readable for people who know nothing about psychology. I definitely recommend these books to anyone looking for answers beyond the dual/polarized perspective of life.

Rating:
Summary: Help Your Self
Review: Kelly encourages to be the "best versions" of ourselves, to take control of our lives. He employs a wide variety of techniques to show us how--parables, philosophical reflections, personal confession, appeals to common sense, examples of great famous lives, and "how-to" tips for prayer, meditation, and developing good habits. While I'm not sure he's breaking a lot of new ground, he's easy to understand, intelligent, challenging and persuasive. His values and his suggestions make enormous sense, especially when he advises us to spend less time on doing and more time on being. If you feel like you're drifting through life, this book could be great medicine!

Rating:
Summary: A book which uses Optimal Thinking
Review: The Rhythm of Life offers some timeless principles based on the information in Dr. Rosalene Glickman's book, Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self. For example, "In every situation, ask yourself, Which of the options before me will help me become the-best-version-of-myself?" is a Dr. Glickman quote. The section about choices is also material I read in Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self. In conclusion, although this book is well-written and valuable, it does not pass the originality test.