Good News for Bad Days: Living a Soulful Life [Paperback]

Paul Keenan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Through extraordinary stories about living a joyous life, Father Keenan showsreaders that the most unlikely roads--including failure and boredom--can helpthem live richer lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Best known for his radio programs Religion on the Line and As You Think, Keenan takes up his pen to reflect on many of the issues ordinary people struggle with in today's world. Father Keenan accomplishes the feat of discussing the realities of everyday life from a genuinely spiritual point of view, drawing from his own experience and from the experiences of others to meditate on the nature of Christian faith. For example, he uses reflections on his mother's death to talk about the knowledge of miracles he gained from the process of her death. Keenan also shares lessons in life and spirituality he has learned from figures as diverse as media evangelist Robert Schuller, a cat named Kitty Taylor, a man named Stuart Walker whose daughter died in an auto accident, a first-year teacher named Dick Byard and the sunshine outside his window. Through these short inspirational pieces, Keenan guides readers to rediscover the sacred in the ordinary.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Catholic priest and radio host of As You Think and Religion on the Line, Keenan ponders topics such as work, midlife crisis, relationships, sickness, depression, and death as starting points for reflection on the divine mystery of life. He shares his personal lessons and the stories of people in his ministry, considering human frailties and potential in terms of soulful living, the elusive quality of sacredness inherent in being. While he remains upbeat and pragmatic, Keenan does not avoid the complexities and problems of faith and suffering. A good pick-me-up for readers who want thoughtful wisdom that is neither too heavy nor too simplistic.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446675040
• ISBN-13: 978-0446675048
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.6 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,614,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the co-host of "Religion on the Line" (Sundays, WABC Radio, New York, and www.wabcradio.com, 7:00 - 10:00 a.m.) with Rabbi Joseph Potasnik. I'm Director of Radio Ministry for the Archdiocese of New York, and serve as a priest at The Church of Our Lady of Peace in Manhattan. My monthly column, "Spiritual Matters," appears in Catholic New York newspaper. A regular blog and a weekly inspirational column appear on the website of the Archdiocese of New York, www.ny-archdiocese.org. I write a quarterly column, "As You Think," for the website www.soulfulliving.com. A monthly article on spirituality appears at Tom Tortorella's Trinitarian website at community-2.webtv.net/Tortorella/Trinitarian.

Recently, I wrote the Introduction to the forthcoming book "Empire State Catholics" by Father Thomas Shelley.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! Gives soul survival techniques in simple terms., July 8, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Auburn, Mass) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good News for Bad Days: Living a Soulful Life (Audio Cassette)

In this world of stress and changing life situations, we are faced with struggles that we may not have had before. In addition, we are becoming more self aware of these struggles that we face. In response to that need, the bookshelves are stocked with a variety of self-help books ranging in complexity that address both the physical and mental states of mind.

In Good News for Bad Days, Father Keenan is able to provide insights into that part of us that we so often forget-our soul. As I listened to the audio version of his book, he reminded me that the soul is a central axis that radiates throughout our being. His book is particularly appealing because it offers SIMPLE techniques and philosophies to awaken and nourish the soul. In addition, he couples it with a nice blend of faith principles which are either forgotten or lost in our focus. This is truly an uplifting book which I listen to as I begin my day. It gives me the necessary reminder to keep a soul perspective as I approach the life and work situations that may confront me. I enjoyed Thomas Moore's Care of the Soul and this book compliments the thoughts he presents wonderfully; however, Father Keenan adds his own unique slant. I highly recommend this book. It provides hope, inspiration and a positive outlook in simple and achievable terms.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HONEST AND COMPASSIONATE, July 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Good News for Bad Days: Living a Soulful Life (Hardcover)

GIST: A spiritual advisor seeks to comfort. HAMMOCK-TIME: Thisslim volume takes very little time to finish, perhaps one weekend inyour hammock or beach chair. PACE: Fast-paced. STYLE: Clear, concise. SUBSTANCE: Raised as a Roman Catholic, I've always felt a bit guilty in my ongoing interest in New Thought theories and techniques. I was more than pleasantly surprised to learn that Fr. Keenan recommends several New Thought type ideas and methods. Because of my Catholic background, it also meant a great deal to me that Fr. Keenan has a sense of balance, an openness tempered by intelligence and caution. So many New Thought authors, some recommended by Oprah, have lost compassion or even a sense of integrity as they steal quotes from each other and from long-dead philosophers. Worse, they promote each other's ideas as if they alone hold the monopoly on knowing how the Universe precisely operates. Fr. Keenan seems to rise above this good ole guru network, and truly to come from an authentic place of love and truth. His humility is refreshing, and comforting. QUIBBLES: Because he is so humble, he never stated what radio stations air his programs. It took some research. . COMPLEMENTARY BOOKS: Any book by the late great Fr. Henri Nouwen, whose work, The Wounded Healer is a classic. His insight and compassion are endearing and inspiring. ### END

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book is masterful., May 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Good News for Bad Days: Living a Soulful Life (Hardcover)

"Good News for Bad Days" is masterfully composed, flawless in its writing and wise in its message. For what it is -- a guide to the use of the spirit in coping with the adversities of life -- it's perfection. If that's your interest, you'll enjoy it and perhaps even be a better person for having read it.