With his wisdom, Pope Francis puts together fifteen mindsets that allow readers to find hope and meaning in different circumstances.

With warmth and intelligence, he encourages and inspires to look deep inside us and search for what is truly meaningful in life.

In this fast-paced and digital world, many of us get disconnected from what is truly important.
Our desolation and anguish is our own creation as we no longer have room for others and no place for the poor. But there is meaning in our weaknesses and lessons to be learned from them.

In my favorite Chapter 2 – “The Best Part of Life,” he talks about most important lesson – we’re not meant to be a storage of information, but to be wise. It’s not about accumulation of information, but it’s about what you do with that knowledge.

Mind, heart and hands need to come together. What you think, feel and do together matters. Those three components create the harmony of wisdom.

He states that we lost this wisdom of living well. That’s why we need to go back to the ancient lesson that is in different religions – “less is more.”

Accumulation of goods is distracting to heart and gets in a way of cherishing each and every moment. We need to go back to simplicity and appreciating small things.

Learn to travel through life, don’t wander aimlessly without a destination. Life has a goal.

If you make a mistake, admit it. Learn from it and move on. Take the reins and be in charge of your life.

“Trivial choices lead to a trivial life; great choices lead to a great life. We become what we choose, for better or for worse.”

In the following chapters, he explores much more, touching upon living in the present moment, having strong roots, meaningful lives, contributing to society, carrying gratitude and kindness, having face-to-face contact, giving the gift of a smile, speaking a word of encouragement, taking the time to listen, being inquisitive and creative among other subjects.

“We didn’t come into this world to vegetate. We came into this world to leave a mark.”

For those who read books on self-help, a lot of subjects will ring a bell. But with Pope Francis’ wisdom and compassion he weaves those mindsets with so much depth and warmth. They fill each fiber of human body. With gentle suggestions and nudges, he mentors how to have a meaningful life filled with purpose and growth.

It’s written in a form of vignettes, capturing the significant passages of life. It’s one of those books that can be read one passage a day, and reread for months and years. It’s a kind of read that lingers and stays with a reader for a long time.

I am not Catholic, but this book is great for giving a more holy way of living. Pope Francis has done us a huge favor.

I'm not Catholic but I love reading spiritual texts as I try to become more centered and part of the world. Pope Francis has some of the best, most practical, and most beautiful advice on how to live in the world. This short book is particularly good, because it focuses on the most basic parts of spiritual life, like living others. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Pope Francis' latest work, "A Good Life: 15 Essential Habits for Living with Hope and Joy," isn't your typical religious treatise. It's a warm, inviting conversation, a grandfatherly nudge towards finding meaning and fulfillment in the everyday. Forget rigid dogma; this book is a tapestry woven from personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, and practical advice, all delivered with the Pope's characteristic wit and humility.

The book's core lies in 15 "rules" for living, each a stepping stone on the path to a good life. These are not commandments, but rather gentle suggestions, nudging us towards self-discovery, compassion, and a deeper connection to the world around us. Francis champions the simple things – the joy of a shared meal, the power of forgiveness, the importance of dreaming and hoping. He reminds us that even amidst life's inevitable struggles, there is always beauty to be found, purpose to be discovered.

One of the book's strengths is its accessibility. Francis speaks directly to the reader, addressing anxieties and challenges common to all, regardless of faith or background. He doesn't shy away from tough topics like poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, but instead uses them as springboards for calls to action and collective responsibility.

Of course, the book isn't without its limitations. Some readers might find the religious underpinnings too pronounced, while others might crave a more in-depth exploration of certain themes. However, these are minor quibbles in the face of the book's overall warmth and wisdom.

"A Good Life" is not a self-help manual with quick fixes or guaranteed success. It's a slow, thoughtful read, meant to be savored and reflected upon. It's a book that will leave you feeling a little lighter, a little more hopeful, and a little more inspired to embrace the good things in life, big and small.

#NetGalley