Customer Reviews

Every Moment Matters: Savoring the Stuff of Life

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The memories that the author chooses to share in EVERY MOMENT MATTERS are fairly interesting, a bit heart wrenching, a tad thought provoking and a little memorable. None of tales he recounts will change your life, but you might find them relatable.

The message to savor the stuff of life is a good one. I agree completely with some of the points he makes, but I have to say that I had already come to many of the same conclusions in my own life, so there is nothing particularly new or revolutionary in what he has written. This is certainly not a self-help book, nor is it really inspirational, but then again I don't believe it pretends to be either of these things.

Reading this book is more like experiencing a pleasant new acquaintance at a cocktail party. He has some stories to share that would keep your interest for a short while, but you probably would not walk away thinking you had met the most fascinating person, just someone who was an enjoyable storyteller.

I would not go so far as to say this was a bad or boring collection of stories, but I never felt compelled to hear the next tale. If you like hearing about other people's experiences, that is exactly what you will get. If you are imagining that you will be personally transformed by something he has portrayed, you may be disappointed.

This book is a great wake-up call if it's time for you to stop going through the motions of an unexamined life. Each story reminds us that the answers to life's questions exist inside us and we can actually hear them if we'll just slow down long enough to listen! Through the safety of someone else's life experiences, I found myself riding a roller-coaster range of emotions as I experienced the highs and lows from John's life and the lessons learned from each of them. I was repeatedly reminded me of just how much impact our words and actions have on others - even complete strangers- whether we realize it or not at the time. Experiencing John's life moments alongside him was a very spiritual ride through the lifetime of a non-religious person. A joy to read!

This is an uplifting, though not very exciting book. By uplifting, I mean inspiring as the author takes you on a bit of a journey to give himself an attitude adjustment in order to transcend some life issues. There was a tone of preachiness in the initial chapters of the book which got better later on, though I still felt, in some areas, that the author seemed above it all. The forward by Dr. Oz is helpful and validating so don't skip it.

There are chapters in this book that are more helpful than others. I found myself skipping around in places when some of the earlier chapters couldn't hold my attention or where the author irritated me. I didn't feel obligated to read the chapters that weren't helpful or interesting.

The good news about this book is it's another voice in an ever growing trend toward changing your thoughts and feelings and how that can help change circumstances in your life. You may learn something from this author if you are taking first steps toward change in your life but the real masters - the people you should be listening to - are Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer and Maryann Williamson, amongst other pioneers of the subject matter. Do a little research and you won't be disappointed.

Good beginner volume on the topic, but don't stop with this book, keep going. Find the voices that help you.

Quick advice:

1. Read the Forward by Dr. Oz first, that is the best forward I have ever read for a book.

2. Pick chapters that look interesting by title and read the little intro. Keep going if you are intrigued, but if you are not interested by the second page, try another chapter.

A bit more detail on that advice:

You can start reading any chapter anywhere in the book and not be lost. The author gives you all the context you need to read any chapter inside the chapter. Now, I read it in order, so I am only 99% sure of that. There is a chance that you might miss a detail or reference in a particular chapter that you would have otherwise caught.

It really took me a while to get into this book, but I was determined to read it. I ordered it thinking that my wife would read it and give me an opinion. That did not happen. I slogged through the first quarter of the book thinking that the message was okay, but I was pretty bored. Things got better in the second half, but I was still uninspired. However, it was an easy and non-offensive read, so I kept going. Then, I read the chapter No more Mr. Bad Guy. That is in the last 1/3 to 1/4 of the book, but I wish it was the chapter I read first. I found it way more interesting than reading about all the "great" things that the author had done. That chapter talks about an attitude that he had to overcome to help himself to be open to things that would ultimately bring him a better sense of peace and stability in his life.

I did not know of the author (a radio personality) or his previous book, before reading this book. Since I had no historical reference of the author, it just seemed to me that the early chapters were written with an attitude of "I am better than you." I felt like the author was hiding mistakes or telling half the story to make himself seem better than a regular human. That lasted for me to some degress until I read the "No More Mr. Bad Guy" chapter. Then, I was able to see the author as a regular person and I felt more comfortable with his recounting of his journey. It think I would have enjoyed the book more if I had read Chapter 14 first.

This is basically a collection of stories from a lifetime's worth of experiences from one man - yes, some interesting things happened to him in his life, and I found it interesting to read about his experiences, but much of the time there was nothing that was really inspiring or big wake-up calls about my life. I already in my three decades of living have come to many of the same conclusions about life and living - so while it was an interesting read, I'm not sure how much of a self-help book it will be for others. For some it may truly help & inspire, and this would be a good thing, but would I recommend this as a self-help book? No, not really...but I would recommend it as a collection of inspiring stories & some not-so-inspiring ones, that may spark in a reader an idea of how to look at their own life - and this can be a good thing...storytime from one man is here.

It's a simple book really--literally how every moment DOES matter, life lessons and how they affect you. First time through I thought "oh these are wonderful stories" and kept thinking I should mark the page or something to go back and revisit that section a little more. Then I took it on a business trip because it was an "easy read" and I laughed, cried, and even more "connected" with me. This third time, I have put a few of his stories to the test in my own life... For example, Mr. St.Augustine talks about a dragonfly and how it was trapped in his car. Despite the dragonfly's amazing vision, and even though the windows were down, the dragonfly could not find his way out. How many times (and how long?!) do we struggle in our own lives until we let someone help us or look at the world differently? What if the way out is not really through the rear window as we (or the dragonfly) may have thought? What if there is another way we just aren't seeing? I have asked myself "am I being that dragonfly?! Hmm I think I am..."

All the stories are from his experience, personal stories meant to prompt us to find our moments that matter, to listen to our hearts, or follow that "something" that gnaws away at us that we stuff back down because we don't know what to do with it... In a strange and roundabout way it has deepened my yoga practice. Yoga asks you to pay attention and find a way to hold on and let go at the same time. But how often do we really do this in practice? How often do we find that surrendering, backing off, letting go, or NOT stuffing down that thought/emotion/problem has gotten us much farther, whether tight hamstrings or a tight mind. It is a very empowering book, one to take to heart, stick under your pillow, carry around in your yoga bag and briefcase, and read several times--it is that joyful, entertaining, enlightening, thought-provoking... I'm sure I will read it a few more times before I let it go... Now to order a few as gifts for friends and order Mr. St.Augustine's other book too.

Many times one makes a small change in life that turns into a waterfall that sweeps away your old existence. Taking some of the ideas in this book and applying them to my life has had this effect. If you are looking for a catalyst to change your life, one of the stories in this book may be just what you need.

It is a remarkable writer indeed who can capture the magic that occurs when one human life touches another in a powerful way that leaves a lasting impact. In the stories shared by the wonderful John St. Augustine in "Every Moment Matters," not only does he share the precious and life-changing moments of his own life, but he does so with a remarkable sensitivity and understanding that holds up a mirror to each and every reader. In John's moments, we see our own -- how special moments as children remain with us as adults, how chance encounters have repercussions that last decades, and how unexpected moments of tragedy and celebration transform us forever. In this "high-tech, digital age," this transcendent book reminds us with each and every chapter just what it means to be human!

"Every Moment Matters" is an invitation to let go of the past, stop worrying about the future, and be fully present for all the moments of your life, including the blessings and the challenges. This is chicken soup for the heart, spirit, mind, and soul! An absolute gem of a book. Keep it on your night table!

The book "every moment matters savoring the stuff of life" was both delightful and touched my heart. The book is comprised of short stories from the author, John St Augustine's life. Each story (chapter) is both engaging and profound. I found myself both laughing and crying.

One of the main things I took away from this book is how every choice we have made in our lives has brought us to this moment of now. We could have not done our lives any other way. Many times we do not know the difference we have made in people lives until many years later, by just a simple act of kindness or taking that moment to be with them.

In the turbulent times we live in, this book gives the reader the prospective of just how special the moment is.