Lean Forward Into Your Life. Mary Anne Radmacher

      

      PRAISE FOR LEAN FORWARD INTO YOUR LIFE

       “I found Lean Forward into Your Life easy to put down. In fact I would put it down at least 20 times an hour. On every page, Mary Anne Radmacher holds up a mirror with angles on each side challenging the reader to examine their thinking and to ask, ‘Are my thought processes presently working for me?’ The reader is asked to lean forward as if to see his or her own life better, and ponder the risk of introspection. Lean Forward into Your Life is a must read, if you are willing to scrutinize how you have life figured out.”

       —VON HANSEN, NATIONAL SALES TRAINER

       “I have worked with Mary Anne for three years and after having read her book can attest that she does indeed ‘lean forward into life’ in the presence of the inmates she worked with. Mary Ann is a testimony to the concepts she writes about here. I am fortunate to be associated with her generous heart, spirit, and brilliant mind. When I read her book, I laughed, I cried, and pondered often. This book has to be taken in bites. It is too substantial to just breeze through.”

       —FAY A. GENTLE, TRANSITION COORDINATOR, OREGON STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

       “Lean Forward. Or Fall Forward. Or Stumble Forward. It doesn't matter. Here's the best part: in this gem of a book, life is not about correct answers. It's all about showing up. Mary Anne's writing is a great invitation to be present. And to embrace and celebrate the extraordinary in the ordinary.”

       —TERRY HERSHEY, AUTHOR OF SACRED NECESSITIES, SOUL GARDENING, AND GO AWAY, COME CLOSER

       “As an artist, my work depends on an inspired and creative state of mind, not always easy to find in this hectic world. While my artistic inspiration comes from nature, I have found in these pages solace for sad times, strength for times of confusion and doubt, and laughter to lighten my days.”

       —SUSAN BOURDET, ARTIST AND WRITER

       “Some years ago in Southern California I entered a shop and was drawn to a display of unique cards. The words were insightful and poetic, the lettering distinctive and artistic. ‘Poetic art,’ I thought and bought the card for myself. I still have it. It was the first of many Mary Anne cards I have gifted myself with, as well as those I love. How delightful to discover Mary Anne years later and to become engaged in her uncommon work and wisdom. Lean Forward into Your Life is not only poetic art, it is memoir at its most unveiling, wrapped in Mary Anne's gentle guidance for living a fuller, generous life. This is a book of healing and grace meant to give to one's friends and, yes, to give as a gift to oneself. Bravo!”

       —JANE KIRKPATRICK, AUTHOR OF A CLEARING IN THE WILD AND A LAND OF SHELTERED PROMISE

      This edition first published in 2014 by Conari Press, an imprint of

      Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

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      665 Third Street, Suite 400

      San Francisco, CA 94107

       www.redwheelweiser.com

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      Copyright © 2007, 2014.

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages. Originally published in 2007 by Conari Press, ISBN: 978-1-57324-298-1.

      ISBN: 978-1-57324-646-0

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request

      Cover and text design by Maureen Forys

      Typeset in Gotham HTF, Horley Old Style MT Std

      Cover photograph: Flowerphotos (C) Eye Ubiquitous

      Printed in Canada

      MAR

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       www.redwheelweiser.com

       www.redwheelweiser.com/newsletter

       to gina louise bramucci

       because you have the courage to go

       the compassion to stay.

      Contents

       Foreword by Paul Leopoulos

       Lean Forward into Your Life

       Begin Each Day As If It Were on Purpose

       Uncovering Your Purposeful Beginnings

       Live with Intention

       Walk to the Edge

       Listen Hard

       Play with Abandon

       Practice Wellness

       Laugh

       Risk Love

       Fail with Enthusiasm

       Continue to Learn

       Appreciate Your Friends

       Choose with No Regret

       Stand By Your Family

       Celebrate the Holidays That Make Sense

       Lead or Follow a Leader

       Do What You Love

       Live as if This Is All There Is

       Learn Forward into Your Life: or, Reminders

       Most of the Things Which Seem So Significant Aren't

       Don't Take It Personally—It's Not Usually About You