The Best is Yet to Come

The Best Is Yet to Come: Living Fully in Each Moment by Anne Bryan Smollin, Patricia A. St. John C.S.J. is a highly recommended book that is sure to encourage and inspire anyone who reads it.

This is the final book written by Sr. Anne Bryan Smollin (1943-2014) and finished for her by Sr. Patricia St. John, C.S.J. Sr. Anne's gift for telling humorous stories while bringing the point home is clearly shown in the brief inspirational chapters. You may have read several of the stories she shares already, but read them once again and allow the final message to sink in. There are also several personal anecdotes that lead to lessons. The end result of The Best Is Yet to Come, is a positive, uplifting book with a helpful, loving message. Parts are perhaps more applicable if you are Catholic, but most of this wonderful little book will have a broad, wide ranging appeal.

There are some terrific quotes:

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good morning, Lord,” and those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good Lord, it’s morning!” How we wake up each day and how we spend our precious 86,400 seconds is our choice.

We have the power as well as the possibility to increase our level of happiness and joy. Studies indicate that everyday activities such as gardening, listening to relaxing music, stroking a pet, smiling, singing, and enjoying a hug will increase our happiness level.

Laughter is a metaphor for the entire range of positive emotions: hope, love, faith, cheerfulness, humor, creativity, playfulness, and confidence. How rich is one who has a laughing buddy!

We cannot allow our fears to define us. If we do, we may never know what is possible. “Never be afraid to try something new."

I believe in miracles; I believe in the sacred events that unfold in our lives every day. We just don’t always recognize them because they are not packaged the way we would like them to be. Or they are not exactly what we are looking for.

What we look for we find! If we look for joy, peace, and happiness we will find them. If we look for disappointment, anger, or distrust we will find it.

We need to believe and trust. Prayer is always answered. Sometimes it is not the response we are looking or asking for, but it is always answered.

We have to do our part. We need to be responsible, proactive people. Wishing for things doesn’t make them real.

Deal with the stress in your life. If you don’t, it will deal with you. Stress blocks us from seeing the humor in our day. We need to keep things in perspective. Many of life’s daily happenings are beyond our control. Additionally, we have no power over another’s behaviors. Don’t rent space in your head for things like that. People are going to act the way they want to act, not the way you want them to act. You only have control over your own behavior.

Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.
http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-best-is-yet-to-come.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1797894409

An entertaining read which made me laugh and smile.

I find this being a lovely collection of essays about living your life to the fullest - that is, making the best of every moment!
Authoress´s approach is fresh, funny and thoughtful - and the anectodes included are the best! Sr. Smollin was obviously a pleasure to be around!

Conversely, while the book is aimed at finding balance and joy, there are also a few serious moments of the crosses and burdens in life (like the death of Sr. Smollin´s friend).

My only criticism is that some of the parts/topic seem to be a bit repetitive.

Yet the message is warm and very much needed these days!