The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose » (Reprint)

Matthew Kelly, the New York Times bestselling author of The Rhythm of Life, has been captivating audiences around the world since his late teens. Over the past decade, more than three million people have attended his talks and seminars in over fifty countries. Kelly is the president of Beresford Consulting.

Once in a while, perhaps every ten years or so, a book comes along that perfectly defines the problems of an age and provides appropriate solutions to those problems. This is that book. Beginning with his own remarkable story of how his rise as an internationally renowned speaker and author became a roller-coaster ride, and ultimately a personal crisis, Matthew Kelly sets the stage to examine the lifestyle issues that characterize our age.

In short, Kelly reminds us with an unmatched clarity of one simple truth -- we are too busy. From there, he takes us on a journey deep within ourselves to discover why we cling to hectic schedules, why we avoid silence, and how we can create a lifestyle that alleviates the restlessness which plagues our hearts. "Our chaotic world and complex lives are crying out for a little order and simplicity."

In The Rhythm of Life, Kelly outlines simple steps and everyday actions that create a way of life -- a lifestyle -- which is more conducive to the well-being of the whole person: physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Using stories, examples, and anecdotes to captivate our attention, Kelly's writing style parallels his inimitable speaking style, and through the power of the written word he is able to further highlight and emphasize his ideas. The truth of these ideas is self-evident and can be validated by your own experience of life in our modern world.

Publishers Weekly

Now 30, Kelly began his Catholic inspirational speaking at the age of 19. In this new edition of his self-published book, Australian-born, Cincinnati-based Kelly exhorts readers to rediscover what he calls the rhythm of life: "the perfect combination of rest, activity, and pace" that will enable each of us to become "the-best-version-of-ourselves." Some will be inspired by these sermonlike essays; others will feel Kelly recycles standard self-help messages, such as "everything is a choice"and "enjoy the journey." Much, for Kelly, rests in self-discipline and control. "If you can teach yourself, condition yourself, to desire those things that are good for you, there is nothing you cannot achieve or become." Like so many self-help authors, Kelly also promotes good sleeping, eating and exercise habits, and suggests a daily hour of prayer and using the "seventh day as a day of rest, reflection, and renewal." More idiosyncratically, he predicts that what he sees as our declining civilization will end in 60 years to be replaced by a vaguely defined superior one. (Nov. 16) Forecast: According to Fireside, Kelly's self-published books have sold 800,000 copies. Perhaps his charisma will help on his post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas 11-city tour. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.