I will not die an unlived ife.
I will not live in fear
of faling or catching fire.
I choose t inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible;
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance,
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom,
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.-Dawna Markova

'I Will Not Die an Unlived Life is a little book with a big message. It can remind you of who you are and heal your life.'-Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., author of My Grandfather's Blessings and Kitchen Table Wisdom

'In these times of rapid social and technological transformation, nothing is more important than learning the skills of personal renewal. I Will Not Die an Unlived Life is the very best book on the subject. In a thoughtful and poetic form, it teaches us how to navigate our lives from the inside out so that rather than being at the mercy of life's changes, we are able to offer to the world the gifts that are ours alone to give.'-M.J. Ryan, author of Attitudes of Gratitude and The giving Heart

Contents

Forword by Justine and Michael Toms
I Living wide open: Landscapes of the mind
Chapter 1 A second innocence
Chapter 2 How do I live divided no more?
Chapter 3 What aileth thee?
Chapter 4 As is
II Living on fire: Landscapes of the heart
Chapter 5 Catching fire
Chapter 6 Falling free
Chapter 7 Unimagined bridges
Chapter 8 Rekindling the flame
III LIving on purpose: Landscapes of the soul
Chapter 9 The spot of grace
Chapter 10 Let our wonds be our teachers
Chapter 11 Way closes, way opens
Chapter 12 'The name I call myself when I want myself to answer'
IV Living on path: Landscapes of the spirit
Chapter 13 What is your lineage and legacy of love?
Chapter 14 What have I been given with which to give?
Chapter 15 What am I serving?
Chapter 16 Where am I meant to be shining?
Epilogue
The seasons of renewal: A living landscape

This is one of those books to buy and save and reread every once in awhile just to glean more wisdom from it. ( )

"It is not the events in our lives that determine who we become, but the meaning we choose to place on those events." - Victor Frankl

I have read this book three times, and I always walk away both centered and inspired. One woman's simple exploration of what her life means, Markova experiences it all; trials, joys, the bitter with the sweet, and shares her journey to living a life of passion and purpose. I found it inspiring and, in a weird way, calming. It was a reminder that I can have exactly what I want out of life, and to slow down and appreciate what I have.

She designs an acronym for LIVE to guide her when she is at a crossroads in life:
L: What do I love?
I: What are my inner gifts and talents?
V: What do I value?
E: What are the environments that bring out the best in me?
In doing so, she stays true to her personal path. Part self-help, part memoir, Markova lays her soul bare for the reader, and reminds you to look at the good and move towards the life you want.



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When you are ready to reflect, meditate and contemplate on the wealth of information in your life, you can use this book as an inspiration for transforming all of that information into wisdom. Dawna Markova recounts the wisdom she gained during a six months retreat. I appreciate it because I am able to gain so much from her experience without having to go on an extended retreat myself. I read each chapter and then wrote in my journal, creating several mini-retreats for myself. Everything about the book, including her writing, is inspiring.

A fabulous read. A must! ( )