In 'Life Is in the Transitions,' Bruce Feiler explores the transformative moments that define our lives, challenging the notion that stability is the ultimate goal. Through personal anecdotes and interviews, he reveals how embracing change can lead to unexpected growth and renewal. Feiler introduces the concept of 'life stages' as fluid rather than fixed, where each transition serves as an opportunity for reinvention. Readers are encouraged to reframe their struggles and uncertainties as natural parts of the human experience. This book offers a roadmap for navigating life’s inevitable changes with resilience and curiosity.
By Bruce Feiler
Published: 2020
""Life is not a straight line; it’s a journey of bends, turns, and unexpected pathways that define our true selves.""
A New York Times bestseller! A pioneering and timely study of how to navigate life's biggest transitions with meaning, purpose, and skill Bruce Feiler, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Secrets of Happy Families and Council of Dads, has long explored the stories that give our lives meaning. Galvanized by a personal crisis, he spent the last few years crisscrossing the country, collecting hundreds of life stories in all fifty states from Americans who’d been through major life changes—from losing jobs to losing loved ones; from changing careers to changing relationships; from getting sober to getting healthy to simply looking for a fresh start. He then spent a year coding these stories, identifying patterns and takeaways that can help all of us survive and thrive in times of change. What Feiler discovered was a world in which transitions are becoming more plentiful and mastering the skills to manage them is more urgent for all of us. The idea that we’ll have one job, one relationship, one source of happiness is hopelessly outdated. We all feel unnerved by this upheaval. We’re concerned that our lives are not what we expected, that we’ve veered off course, living life out of order. But we’re not alone. Life Is in the Transitions introduces the fresh, illuminating vision of the nonlinear life, in which each of us faces dozens of disruptors. One in ten of those becomes what Feiler calls a lifequake, a massive change that leads to a life transition. The average length of these transitions is five years. The upshot: We all spend half our lives in this unsettled state. You or someone you know is going through one now. The most exciting thing Feiler identified is a powerful new tool kit for navigating these pivotal times. Drawing on his extraordinary trove of insights, he lays out specific strategies each of us can use to reimagine and rebuild our lives, often stronger than before. From a master storyteller with an essential message, Life Is in the Transitions can move readers of any age to think deeply about times of change and how to transform them into periods of creativity and growth.
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“"Life is not a straight line; it’s a journey of bends, turns, and unexpected pathways that define our true selves."”
Life Is in the Transitions
By Bruce Feiler
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Bruce Feiler is an acclaimed American author and speaker best known for his work on themes of family, faith, and tradition. He has written several bestsellers, including "Walking the Bible" and "The Secrets of Happy Families," which blend personal narratives with deep cultural insights. A frequent contributor to major publications such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, Feiler explores the intersection of religion and everyday life. He is also a popular public speaker and has delivered talks at TED and other prominent platforms. Through his writing and speaking engagements, Feiler continues to inspire readers to find meaning and connection in their lives.
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