Live Boldly: Cultivate the qualities that can change your life

by: Mary Anne Radmacher

Published by: Conari Press

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

How would you live if you didn’t worry what others would think? Do you dance differently when others are watching? Are you willing to risk failure in order to succeed? These are questions that Mary Anne Radmacher asks you to ask yourself and then she encourages you to live with purpose. Live boldly.

In Live Boldly you are encouraged to choose one quality at a time, any of the 35 she writes about, and strive to practice living that quality with gusto so as to live the life of your dreams. Each quality comes complete with definition, quotes (one relatively well known, one by the author), a story, and her tool kit—suggestions of processes to use to improve that quality in your life.

I’ll admit, I’m a bit on the fence with this book. There are chapters, or qualities, that really struck a note with me and others that fell flat. I was a little turned off when most of the success stories were about the author’s own successes. Heck, even Stephen Covey uses illustrations of others (after all, who was he before he was the seven habits guy?). I’m sure that an already established fan of the author would greatly enjoy the stories, but those of us who have no previous exposure have no reason to value her particular experience. However, she is, apparently, well known and this could be my issue alone.

As I said, there were chapters that hit home and the book is cleanly written. Who doesn’t need to cultivate qualities in their lives and live more intentionally? For me, this week, I’m going to work on Presence. And maybe one day I’ll live boldly.

Armchair Interviews says: Book contains some good reminders and encouragements helpful to all.

Author’s Web site: http://www.MaryanneRadmacher.com