Lean Forward into Your Life: Listen Hard, Live with Intention, and Play with Abandon - Softcover

"I found Lean Forward into Your Life easy to put down. In fact I would put it down at least 20 times an hour. On every page, Mary Anne Radmacher holds up a mirror with angles on each side challenging the reader to examine their thinking and to ask, 'Are my thought processes presently working for me?' The reader is asked to lean forward as if to see his or her own life better, and ponder the risk of introspection. Lean Forward into Your Life is a must read, if you are willing to scrutinize how you have life figured out."--Von Hansen, National Sales Trainer--Reviews

"I have worked with Mary Anne for three years and after having read her book can attest that she does indeed 'lean forward into life' in the presence of the inmates she worked with. Mary Ann is a testimony to the concepts she writes about here. I am fortunate to be associated with her generous heart, spirit, and brilliant mind. When I read her book, I laughed, I cried, and pondered often. This book has to be taken in bites. It is too substantial to just breeze through."--Fay A. Gentle, Transition Coordinator, Oregon State Correctional Institution--Reviews

"Lean Forward. Or Fall Forward. Or Stumble Forward. It doesn't matter. Here's the best part: in this gem of a book, life is not about correct answers. It's all about showing up. Mary Anne's writing is a great invitation to be present. And to embrace and celebrate the extraordinary in the ordinary."--Terry Hershey, author of Sacred Necessities, Soul Gardening, and Go Away, Come Closer--Reviews

"As an artist, my work depends on an inspired and creative state of mind, not always easy to find in this hectic world. While my artistic inspiration comes from nature, I have found in these pages solace for sad times, strength for times of confusion and doubt, and laughter to lighten my days."--Susan Bourdet, artist and writer--Reviews

"Some years ago in Southern California I entered a shop and was drawn to a display of unique cards. The words were insightful and poetic, the lettering distinctive and artistic. 'Poetic art, ' I thought and bought the card for myself. I still have it. It was the first of many Mary Anne cards I have gifted myself with, as well as those I love. How delightful to discover Mary Anne years later and to become engaged in her uncommon work and wisdom. Lean Forward into Your Life is not only poetic art, it is memoir at its most unveiling, wrapped in Mary Anne's gentle guidance for living a fuller, generous life. This is a book of healing and grace meant to give to one's friends and, yes, to give as a gift to oneself. Bravo!"--Jane Kirkpatrick, author of A Clearing in the Wild and A Land of Sheltered Promise--Reviews

Lean Forward into Your Life is an invitation, a reflection, and a set of prompts to help you remember the questions you want to ask yourself. In the words of artist and author Mary Ann Radmacher, Lean Forward into Your Life is a "commonplace book for leading an uncommon life. An uncommon life need not include fame and fortune. An uncommon life means living with intention, paying attention, celebrating, taking care of yourself, risking love. To live an uncommon life means to live large from the heart."

Live with intention
Walk to the edge
Listen hard
Play with abandon
Practice wellness
Laugh
Risk love
Continue to learn
Appreciate your friends
Choose with no regret
Fail with enthusiasm
Stand by your family
Celebrate the holidays that make sense
Lead or follow a leader
Do what you love
Live as if this is all there is