How to be alive A guide to the kind of happiness that helps the world

Colin Beavan

eAudio - 2016

The author of No Impact Man and founder of the No Impact Project returns with this trailblazing guide to living a meaningful and fulfilling life while also contributing to the wellbeing of our communities and the planet. When Colin Beavan embarked upon a yearlong experiment to lead a zero net-impact existence in the middle of New York City, he had no idea what a profound effect it would have upon himself and others around him. For Colin, the project-chronicled in a book, a documentary, and an ongoing lecture series-formed the basis of a radical "lifestyle redesign" that reached beyond just environmental activism. And, in the course of his travels and lectures, he encountered scores of people who were similarly breaking from tradit...ional ideas about work, home, and even family in order to take their futures, and the planet's, in their own hands. In the process they made a startling discovery-a happier way of life that is also having a deeply positive impact on the world. For most of us, though, even contemplating this kind of transformation is overwhelming and confusing. In How to Be Alive, Beavan shares his insights on finding the path that's right for you. Drawing on everything from classic literature and philosophy to current science, and combining that with his own experiences alongside those of the many people he has met along the way, Colin explores a broad array of transformational lifestyle adjustments-small and large-that offer security and meaning in a world confronted by ecological crises, economic upheaval, and ongoing war and social injustice. In the process, he helps readers embark on the quest for a "good life" of their own-lives both better for them and the planet.

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Subjects
Published
[United States] : HarperAudio 2016.
Language
English
Corporate Author
hoopla digital
Main Author
Colin Beavan (author, -)
Corporate Author
hoopla digital (-)
Edition
Unabridged
Online Access
Instantly available on hoopla.
Cover image
Physical Description
1 online resource (1 audio file (13hr., 45 min.)) : digital
Format
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
ISBN
9780062444509
Access
AVAILABLE FOR USE ONLY BY IOWA CITY AND RESIDENTS OF THE CONTRACTING GOVERNMENTS OF JOHNSON COUNTY, UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, HILLS, AND LONE TREE (IA).
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

By means of stories, case studies, exercises, and expert advice, Beavan (No-Impact Man) aims to inspire readers to become involved citizens. Emphasizing that the best method of achieving happiness is to live by the famous bumper sticker dictum "Be the change you want to see in the world" (often falsely attributed to Gandhi), he shows readers how to connect with their true selves. The key is to identify and live in accord with one's real values, engage in activities that provide intrinsic rewards, and avoid being overwhelmed by the scope of the world's problems by choosing small, easy things to do first. Those who do this are "lifequesters... who have woken up to the possibility that they don't just have to try to fit themselves to the old so-called facts of life." Beavan organizes the text into seven parts, each focusing on a particular aspect of life, such as "Finding Your People" and "The Gentle Path." His style is accessible and colloquial, interspersing the text with tips and lists of action items. Beavan's prescriptions add up to an encouraging approach to living a less materialistic, more fulfilling life. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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