book review + giveaway: enjoy every sandwich

(♥)

 

A few weeks ago, I was asked to review Enjoy Every Sandwich: Living Each Day As If It Were Your Last, by Dr. Lee Lipsenthal in which he shares what he's learned about enjoying life and living each day to its fullest potential as he fights his battle against esophageal cancer. In the book, Lee navigated his diagnosis, illness, and treatment and he discovered that he did not fear death. As he was facing his own mortality, he felt more fully alive than ever before.

Much to my surprise, I found myself deeply interested in the book. I read it quickly, absorbing his words as I struggled to come to terms with my own mortality (a fact that often seems so abstract and surreal when not confronted directly). Even in the parts of the book I found difficult to understand (a helping hand from Jesus during meditation?), I found his book deeply inspiring. When I received the book in the mail, I thought it would read just like Tuesdays with Morrie or The Last Lecture. That wouldn't have been a bad thing (I enjoyed both of those books), but this book was more than those. It spoke to me in a way I hadn't expected. 

Two weeks after I finished the book, my childhood friend's mom passed away.

This woman (who sadly I had not seen in years) had been like a second mother to me when I was a child and a teenager. She was different in many ways from my own mother -- less cheerful, more crafty, less content with the world around her, more technology-focused -- and I'd always felt a special connection with her. In many ways, my friend was more like my mother and I was more like her mother. 

Upon hearing of her death, I was more saddened than I had anticipated. She had had cancer for over a decade so it wasn't unexpected -- but what was unexpected was how sad I felt. I hadn't seen this woman since I was in college, but suddenly I missed her terribly. Suddenly a rush of memories appeared in my mind -- moments I hadn't thought about in years. It was harder than I expected, more real than I could have imagined. 

And in this experience, I thought back on what I'd read only a few weeks before. I thought back on the ways Lee chose to celebrate his life and the ways he chose to share his inspiration with readers he would never know. So many of us have started out 2012 will goals and to-do lists and ideas for how to make this the best year yet. But we often forget about enjoying the life we have right now, in this moment. We often forget that, at some point, these moments will be gone. 

In his book, Lee writes, "We don't need to run out and do the bucket list of seeing and doing new things. We just need to sit, listen, and learn. This, over time, has become by philosophy of living. Pay attention to the good stuff that happens every day and enjoy what is, not what should have been or what might be." Though I've heard this advice before, seeing the words written by a man who died only months ago, who strived to make the most of every single day, really hit home for me. And after my friend's mother died, his words became even more meaningful.

If you're struggling with understanding your own mortality or the mortality of those around you (and who isn't?) or if you're interested in learning how to make the most of every moment of your life, this is the book for you to read. With a focus on gratitude, Lee teaches readers of the book how to make deeper connections with others, how to live each day to the fullest, and how to find the joy in life. To learn more about the book, check out the book's website or check out the book trailer on YouTube.

Now I'll leave you with the words that stuck with me even after the book was closed and put away on the shelf. These words remind me that life is a choice -- and that we all have the power to choose a positively present life. Lee wrote: "You get to choose the world you want to live in. It can be a house of fear and constriction or a house of mystery and creativity. Do you choose anger or compassion? In your world will be it be the fear of death or the joy of life? It is that simple." 

WIN a copy of Enjoy Every Sandwich!

• Leave a comment telling me what you enjoy about life.
• Include your email address so we can contact you when you win.
• Want an extra chance to win? Tweet + mention @positivepresent.
• THREE winners will be selected on Thursday, January 19, 2011.

Comments

[Ewa]

Thanks for the review. But most of all thanks for advice on bad decisions (previous posts) as that's how I run across your website (made a bad decision). It might seem stragne but, my bad decsion was a result of what I enjoy about life the most - freedom, God's precious but tricky gift. Because of our freedom there are sometimes too many difficult choices. I've made a choice that I regret. But I'm free to do whatever I like. So today I choose to cry and live trhough the sad emotion but as for tomorrow - I choose to move on. The whole rest of my life is in my hands only.

[Helen]

I enjoy all of the beautiful people- which are all people and hearing their stories, hopes and desires. I especially enjoy watching my baby grow each day and watching a beautiful person from day one. I'd love a copy of this book! helenmcosner@gmail.com <3

[Andrea]

I enjoy and appreciate all of the good and bad forces in my life that remind me that I am not a static mold of experiences but a work in progress. Thank you for this review!

[M.]

I enjoy so much in life when I allow myself to feel that joy for life. (I have a bad habit of trying to control allll my emotions, even the positive ones, when they become spontaneous, because I think disappointment is right around the corner. Argh!) Narrowing it down, I definitely enjoy spending time with my family, working hard to study abroad, writing stories, learning a new language, and listening to music (I'm addicted to Imogen Heap, haha!). I also enjoy your writing and look forward to "lurking" it each week. :)

[Katrina]

Thanks for the review, I want to read this book now. :) My favorite parts of life are those moments where something small happens and everything seems to fall into place and you realize how happy and blessed you are. I love when I can make something happen that I've been dreaming about for so long, and when it comes true I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

[Stephanie]

I enjoy life best when I take the time to truly be present. It's as if all my senses come alive. I see, hear and smell things that I normally wouldn't pay attention to. Everything is heightened, yet there is a stillness. I feel grounded and at peace when I do that.

[Amy Ford]

I enjoy sharing my life with people I love and hearing stories of inspiration and love from those people who are not directly in my life.

[Tim Birchard]

What do I enjoy in life?

I enjoy discovering that the experiences I THOUGHT would kill me actually have not. I enjoy discovering that those things I initially thought were a curse have turned out to be some of the most powerful blessings. I enjoy delving deeply into my gifts, doing what comes most naturally to me, and finding that when I do so, those around me benefit. I enjoy realizing that I have a choice in how I approach each day. I enjoy remembering to 'bow to the messiness in my life'. I enjoy discovering that my assumptions were wrong. I enjoy falling in love with my life, over and over again.

[Laurie Shetler]

I enjoy being part of my family's life, especially that extra squeeze in my daughter's hug :)

[Strelka]

Dear Dani,
first of all, I was sorry to read about your loss. This review comes at a very strange point in my life, when I thought I had learnt things about mortality only to be slapped in the face for a second time round. This slap though makes me automatically reach for life and for the life that I actually want to live in the present. Moments pass too quickly and I am sure I can be inspired by this book to appreciate them and enjoy them even more. Thank you for your kind sharing of ideas as well.

[positively present]

Ewa - Thanks for your comment! You really made me think about freedom and how it can be both a good and a bad thing. That being said, we're still so lucky to have it. Bad choices can often lead to good lessons.

Helen - People are such a wonderful part of life and how lucky for you to be spending time with a brand new little person. Congrats on the baby!

Andrea - I love thinking about life as a work in progress and, as you said, both bad and good forces play a hand in shaping our lives. Definitely keeps things interesting!

M. - What a great list of things to enjoy in life! And thanks so much for lurking around Positively Present! :) I'm glad to have you as a reader.

Katrina - Great comment! It really is so amazing when things fall into place - and also when you can be the one to put them in place.

Stephanie - I agree. Life is experienced in a much more complete way when we allow ourselves to be fully present. It really brings the joy into every moment.

Amy - Me too! The things you mentioned are definitely things I'm thankful for in my life as well!

Tim - I never really thought about it quite like that, but I feel the same way you do about things I thought would kill me but (cliche as it might sound!) actually made me stronger. Thanks for your comment!

Laurie - Aww, that's wonderful! I'm so glad your daughter gives you that extra squeeze in her hugs!

Strelka - Thank you for your kind words. I'm happy to hear that this post came at the right time for you. If you're looking for inspiration on how to enjoy life in the moment and tackle the ever-present aspect of mortality, this is definitely the book for you!

[Kris]

As soon as I started reading this post it reminded me of The Last Lecture, which really struck a chord in me. So much is taken for granted everyday. Even in my own struggles I do my best to be consciously thankful everyday for all that I have, no matter how basic it is. Life flitters by so fast when time is wasted on the unimportant. Having more regard for life and living it is no easy task but worthwhile and rewarding.

[Amanda]

This book sounds like a wonderful read. I try to fill my time with books such as this, ones that force us to look at the bigger picture of life. To live in the present is difficult for a lot of us, but it is definitely worth a shot!

Me ... well, what I enjoy about life, is the opportunity to love on and care for others. I've been fortunate to have had many positive people in my life - to return the feeling is something very special :0)

[Thea]

I enjoy life when I let go of my concerns and allow myself to be truly present in whatever I'm doing. It sounds hard, but sometimes I succeeds, and just go with the flow :)

[jr cline]

There is so much I enjoy about life: my children, my friends, photography, the 'now' when I don't forget to notice, the feeling that everything is exactly as it is supposed to be, a flower, love, clouds, the sun and moon...life is abundant!

[positively present]

Kris - This book is definitely along the same lines as that one, but it goes a little bit deeper. Gratitude is so important in life and books like these remind us of all that we have to be thankful for. Thanks for your comment!

Amanda - It's definitely a good big-picture book. That's so wonderful that you mentioned something you give (love and care) rather than receive. What a great thing to take joy in!

Thea - I feel that way too! It's not always easy to stay in the present moment (very hard actually!), but when I can do it, it's amazing.

JR - Life is definitely abundant and all of those things you've mentioned are so wonderful - especially the feeling that everything is exactly where it's supposed to be!

[Nicole]

I am so thankful for a friend who will hug me at just the right moment.

[positively present]

Nicole - That's a great thing to be thankful for! I'm grateful for that as well!

[Suz White]

I enjoy all the beautiful people in my life - many of whom are creative and inspiring people who bring life and light into my rather too non creative tendencies. Thank you for being one of those inspirations!

[Melinda T]

Life is full of ups and downs, but is also to be enjoyed and I'm trying to! Its a learning process and I've learned quite a bit about myself. I enjoy the little things in life that makes me laugh, smile and feel such great happiness. Since becoming a mom, I enjoy seeing the world through my girls' eyes.

Thanks for the review and giveaway, this sounds like a great book!

[Melinda T]

I tweeted twice. The first tweet didn't have the hashtag, so I retweeted!

[Alison C.]

I enjoy that life is my unique personal experience and no one else's. When I remember this it reminds me to put myself first and focus on what's best for me at the moment and not live my life placating others.

[positively present]

Suz - You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed this article and thank you for sharing the thing you enjoy most in life. People are such a great part of this life!

Melinda - I know what you mean about life being a learning process, and enjoying the little things makes life a whole lot more wonderful! Thanks for the tweets - that's 3 chances to win for you!

Alison - That's a great thing to enjoy in life! We often forget that we are having a unique experience that belongs only to us. Thinking about life that way makes it even more special.

[Bridget]

What do I enjoy in life? The pure extract of life itself.

The smile of children. Working in a major pediatric hospital I see the most critical/unfair conditions kids can find themselves..but they never stop being kids because of their condidtion. Whether they are 6years old hooked up to tube feeds or 6years old running outside...they have opinions, they want candy, they play, smile, laugh. Nothing holds them back from life, and being reminded of that daily is uplifting.

I love that moment of clarity. The moment you realize that most of your life's problems are stagnant cluttered thoughts in your mind..and you come back to what is really important and what you are here to do.

and so much more..
and the perfect cup of coffee of course.

[Saggleo]

I've read both of those books and was touched by each of them. This sounds like a great read as well. There are many things I enjoy about life, but a few that come right to mind; hearing others stories and being humbled by them; the ability to help my mom with her health issues, even if I get on her nerves; having the option to change things in your life if you don't like how something is going, bad or good habits, or adopting new good habits; being able to laugh freely and share that with others; and just being thankful for every day you get to see another day and hopefully not waste it. Some things are easier said than done, but that's the great part you can always start anew the next day!!

[positively present]

Bridget - What a great list of things you enjoy about life! I particularly like what you wrote about the children. It makes me happy to know that they remain childlike even in tough conditions.

Saggleo - Such a wonderful list! All of those things are such important things to be thankful for. I really like the idea of starting each day anew. The only time we have is now!

[V. Willis]

I enjoy the moments when the universe surprises me--either by making me question my assumptions or by pouring beauty around me or by presenting me with my path when I wasn't aware I'd lost it. And I particularly enjoy it when I have my camera on me to capture some of these moments.

[positively present]

V. Willis - Those are wonderful moments, and just the kind of thing we should all be enjoying in life. I'm also a big fan of taking photos (see here: http://www.positivelypresent.com/2012/01/365-photo-project.html). They really make the moments come alive!