Don't Miss Your Life!: An Uncommon Guide to Living with Freedom, Laughter, and Grace

by Charlene Ann Baumbich

Book Overview

The award-winning author of the dearest dorothy novels, called by Guideposts "one of today's most popular and bestloved Christian humorists," motivates readers to laugh, play, and relish the good things in life.

Charlene Ann Baumbich has always spoken and written about the layers of life just as she sees them--slightly off-center, mostly dead-on, and always through the lens of grace. With Don't Miss Your Life...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416562990
• ISBN13: 9781416562993
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Howard Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Start Living!

I didn't know what to expect upon reading Charlene's paperback book titled, Don't Miss Your Life! I requested this particular book from Divine Inspiration because I liked the cover art mostly. To be honest with you, I wasn't familiar with Charlene's writing nor the Dearest Dorothy Series. The very first thing that caught my eye on the book cover were these three young ladies who were jumping in mid air with colorful skirts on and oh yes, did I mention their bare feet?! If you are looking for a vision of what freedom within looks like or you might be longing to read a book filled with guidance to how one's life might feel to be free, then I encourage you to get a copy of Charlene's book because "walking barefoot in grass makes your understanding tingle". The book begins with a charming and playful approach on how to discover your own rich and sustaining memories called "Remember When?" I found that this is not your typical self help book but rather a cleverly woven art of storytelling that this author shares so professionally with us from her own heartfelt unique experiences of life. Charlene has so many cool quotations and scriptures added throughout her book. Throughout the book's chapters, Charlene's sense of humor shines brilliantly while one in particular, "Humor Hogties" will have your sides ripping! Being a piano teacher, my favorite part of this book is about a passage asking the reader some soul searching questions of reflection and contemplation, "What is the song in your heart right now?" Charlene Baumbich will encourage you to take ownership of your life, show you how to be liberated from despair and celebrate life to the fullest with passion and joy overflowing. I highly recommend this book to you and rate it 5+ stars!

WAKE UP AND LIVE LIFE

I loved this book and the author's enthusiasm she has in discovering the joy of life. Are you letting fear get the better of you? Is fear stopping you from living life to the fullest? She says, "Hope is perhaps the first key that can enable you to wake up, and then open up, to your life. Without hope, we are left with only despair," which stops us from experiencing anything good. It keeps us just going through the motions of life not living it. I enjoyed how this author described life in simple terms, time a precious thing waste. "Do your days pass by in a blur, one melding into the next? ...We thirst to be living life to the fullest, but first we need to be stunned into realizing just how asleep we've been...For instance, have you ever been driving down the road and..OHMYGOSH! I didn't remember driving the last five blocks! How did I get here?" Charlene has very practical ideas to jump start you back into living life to the fullest, make you aware of the flowers in your path and to take the time to see and smell how beautiful they really are. It's much like our lives. There are so many special moments in our lives to be recognized and savored Some of the chapters in her book are: Wake Up!, Crowned Princesses of Sparkledom, Humor Hogties--overcoming a Spiritually Constipated Life, Always Question your Assumption, I'm sick of listening to me and so much more. What an encouraging, up-lifting, hopeful book to read in these uncertain times. I'll leave you with the authors words, "Enjoyv the most important gift you've been given--your one and only, true-self, God breathed life: Don't miss it!" This book helps you do just that. I know I'll be reading this book again. Finding Hope Through Fiction Book Club Servant Leader

Like chatting with a fun girlfriend...

It is wonderful to read a book in which the author talks to you, not at you. She has a superb grasp on engaging her audience. This book is a fast read because it is funny! Don't let her humor fool you though, she has an important message here. Too many people are just going through the motions. The author has useful takeaway advice and I'd recommend her for sure!

Live LIFE!

Don't Miss Your Life An Uncommon Guide to Living with Freedom, Laughter and Grace Charlene Ann Baumbich 2009 Howard Books Non-fiction/Spiritual Growth/ Self Help Reviewed by Cindy Loven The title is a perfect description for this book, Charlene Baumbich, wants us to all slow down and smell the roses, basically. A book that will stir you to slow down and to live life to it's fullest. Filled with stories from her life, and childhood. Ms. Baumbich shares her funny stories, her dreams and her adventures. Nearly dying after having surgery, she is awakened even more to the message she has been sharing for years about living your life. Enjoy and imagine yourself as she describes spending times with friends playing dress up, as a child and as a adult. Who has taken time to play dress up as an adult? Learn to grasp those times with your children, as toddler, teens and adults. Live your life to the fullest and don't get too busy to miss your life! A wonderful book, presented with lots of humor, and love! A definite must read. Also there is an accompanying website (www.dontmissyourlifebook.com)that has pictures of some of the stories she shares. Each chapter challenges us to think about our childhood, think about our lives and to build our own MP (Memory Portfolio). A book that would be great for a book club or study group, this book will inspire you to dig deep, examine your life, priorities and goals and to LIVE LIFE!

Don't Miss Your Life!

A wonderfully, witty reminder to wake up and pay attention to your life! Charlene urges you in her creative ways to "grab hold of that moment of wakefullness". One of my favorite quotes is, "Life here on Earth is too short to give it away to happenstance, to hide it, to walk around sleeping or pinched up while you wait for somebody else to serve up your joy." Through her wonderful observations she will encourage you to live your life joyfully and to it's fullest potential!