Your Life Isn't for You

“The message of this book is important to all ages. Living for others makes one’s own life more meaningful . . . a great book with a great message.” —SeattlePI
 
In this book, Seth Adam Smith expands on the philosophy behind his extraordinarily popular blog post “Marriage Isn’t for You”—which received over thirty million hits and has been translated into over twenty languages—and shares how living for others can enrich every aspect of your life, just as it has his. With a mix of humor, candor, and compassion, he reveals how, years before his marriage, his self-obsession led to a downward spiral of addiction and depression, culminating in a suicide attempt at the age of twenty. Reflecting on the love and support he experienced in the aftermath, as well as on the lessons he learned from a difficult missionary stint in Russia, his time as a youth leader in the Arizona desert, his marriage, and even a story his father read to him as a child, he shares his deep conviction that the only way you can find your life is to give it away to others. Your Life Isn’t For You was named the Gold Medalist for Inspirational Memoir in the 2015 Living Now Book Awards!
 
“A small, easy to read but powerful book full of positive messages. It is lighthearted and filled with important life lessons aimed to give readers a heightened sense of self awareness.” —Book Examiner
 
“Seth’s amazing book illustrates a powerful and proven path to happiness and gently reminds us how easily we forget this profound truth: focusing on others brings the deepest joy.” —Lindsay Hadley, Founder and CEO, Hadley Impact ConsultingDisclaimer
Introduction
1. The Selfish Giant
2. Winter Within the Wall
3. A Melted Heart
4. Look Out the Window
5. Lift Another
6. Knock Down the Wall
7. Finding Life on Red Square
8. A Light in the Wilderness
9. The Resurrected Russian
10. The Legend of the Northern Lights
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the AuthorSeth Adam Smith was born with an abnormally large head—an unholy harbinger of things to come. His greatest ambition in life is to own a flamethrower for recreational purposes. His favorite word is “glorious.” He is also the Gold Medalist for Inspirational Memoir in 2015 Living Now Book Awards. Find out more if you dare at SethAdamSmith.com, and look for his blogs on the Huffington Post.