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Enjoy Every Sandwich: Living Each Day as If It Were Your Last
"Dr. Lipsenthal is a profound explorer of our inner and outer world. Enjoy Every Sandwich will help you heal your fear of death and embrace the true joy of life's extraordinary journey."
--Edgar Dean Mitchell, Apollo 14 Astronaut
As medical director of the famed Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Lee Lipsenthal helped thousands of patients struggling with disease to overcome their fears of pain and death and to embrace a more joyful way of living. In his own life, happily married and the proud father of two remarkable children, Lee was similarly committed to living his life fully and gratefully each day.
The power of those beliefs was tested in July 2009, when Lee was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. As Lee and his wife, Kathy, navigated his diagnosis, illness, and treatment, he discovered that he did not fear death, and that even as he was facing his own mortality, he felt more fully alive than ever before. In the bestselling tradition of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and Tuesdays with Morrie, Enjoy Every Sandwich distills everything Lee learned about how we find meaning, purpose, and peace in our lives. Told with humor and heart, this deeply inspiring book will help readers embrace their humanity, accept uncertainty, and live a life of gratitude—whether they are facing the end now or not.
--Edgar Dean Mitchell, Apollo 14 Astronaut
As medical director of the famed Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Lee Lipsenthal helped thousands of patients struggling with disease to overcome their fears of pain and death and to embrace a more joyful way of living. In his own life, happily married and the proud father of two remarkable children, Lee was similarly committed to living his life fully and gratefully each day.
The power of those beliefs was tested in July 2009, when Lee was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. As Lee and his wife, Kathy, navigated his diagnosis, illness, and treatment, he discovered that he did not fear death, and that even as he was facing his own mortality, he felt more fully alive than ever before. In the bestselling tradition of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and Tuesdays with Morrie, Enjoy Every Sandwich distills everything Lee learned about how we find meaning, purpose, and peace in our lives. Told with humor and heart, this deeply inspiring book will help readers embrace their humanity, accept uncertainty, and live a life of gratitude—whether they are facing the end now or not.
197 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
February 27, 2012
this book is completely fucking bananas! you think you're just going to read a nice inspirational self-help book about appreciating your life & living each day to the fullest, written by a doctor who was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the esophagus who learned to accept his mortality without giving up his zest for life. but before you know it, you are reading detailed stories about his past life as a german surgeon who drank himself to death after his mistress died from an illicit ectopic pregnancy, & how he called upon the loving berobed arms of jesus to calm the stresses of a man in his deep meditation class held in a thatched hut in hawaii. what the fuck? it was seriously like a car accident. i wanted to look away, but i just couldn't. in no world would i ever intentionally read a book about the shared jungian consciousness or the manner in which the "god spot" collects our past life memories. thank god the book was less than 200 pages long, with more than generous margins & a large font. i zipped through this bad boy in maybe an hour or two...cringing all the while.
unless you are an enormous hippie, i recommend giving this book an extremely wide berth. I was honestly trying to perhaps better myself in some obscure way, embrace a little more lust for life or something. BIG MISTAKE. i will go back to being a jaded, cynical old crone if it means that i will never again have to hear anything about transcendental meditation.
unless you are an enormous hippie, i recommend giving this book an extremely wide berth. I was honestly trying to perhaps better myself in some obscure way, embrace a little more lust for life or something. BIG MISTAKE. i will go back to being a jaded, cynical old crone if it means that i will never again have to hear anything about transcendental meditation.
May 5, 2012
I hate it when people mock my beliefs simply because they don't understand them. Applying the same courtesy to Lipsenthal, I will refrain from judgment or comments about the New Age tone of sections of this book because truthfully, some of the experiences and beliefs he shares, I have not given much consideration to. Case in point... he shares the experience of realizing he had lived a past life as a heartbroken German surgeon who lost his lover to complications from pregnancy. My knee jerk reaction was to roll my eyes... HOWEVER, I stopped myself, acknowledged that this was a significant experience in HIS life and he was simply sharing HIS story, HIS experiences. So I skipped over those New Age-y parts and allowed myself to "hear" Lipsenthal's INTENDED message: EMBRACE LIFE and LIVE!!
One of my favorite quotes from the book is "Pay attention to the good stuff that happens every day and enjoy what is, not what should have been or what might be."
Living a life of gratitude seems to have been a way of life for Lipsenthal, and ANY book that shares that message is a good book in my opinion.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is "Pay attention to the good stuff that happens every day and enjoy what is, not what should have been or what might be."
Living a life of gratitude seems to have been a way of life for Lipsenthal, and ANY book that shares that message is a good book in my opinion.
December 19, 2011
I don't remember how I discovered this title...which is odd since it must have just happened a short while ago: it was just published last month. It could have been in a Shambhala catalog or in the software we use at work to order books for the library or one of the catalogs that continually pile up on my desk. I didn't know anything about the author, but whatever I read about the book must have sounded good. I placed it on hold (on audio book...still doing Newbery until next month, so it's only Children's Literature for me when I can read-read).
The audio arrived last week and I listened to it while I worked (weeding in the Library sub-basement) and ran errands when off. Before the book was half way through I looked into purchasing my own copy. I think I'll get the audio because Dr. Lipsenthal read it himself. When I finished listening, I started back at the beginning...
It's not an easy book to listen to. He sounds like an absolutely fabulous guy; one I'd like to have known in person. And he is diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the outset, but the book isn't about dieing it's about living. It may swerve a bit too much into the New Age for some readers, but if you just gloss over those moments (or store them away to think about later) what you have is a {I hate it when people use this phrase-I've always thought it silly, but it applies...really} life-changing book.
Do yourself a favor and check it out of your library. Read or listen to it. It's only 4 hours long; what you got to lose? Just a little time, and you may find more than you bargained for. I was afraid before starting that it would be similar to Randy Pausch's awful self-congratulatory totally and over-hyped "Last Lecture." This is nothing like it. One of the few books that I feel totally comfortable giving five stars to. It really is amazing.
The audio arrived last week and I listened to it while I worked (weeding in the Library sub-basement) and ran errands when off. Before the book was half way through I looked into purchasing my own copy. I think I'll get the audio because Dr. Lipsenthal read it himself. When I finished listening, I started back at the beginning...
It's not an easy book to listen to. He sounds like an absolutely fabulous guy; one I'd like to have known in person. And he is diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the outset, but the book isn't about dieing it's about living. It may swerve a bit too much into the New Age for some readers, but if you just gloss over those moments (or store them away to think about later) what you have is a {I hate it when people use this phrase-I've always thought it silly, but it applies...really} life-changing book.
Do yourself a favor and check it out of your library. Read or listen to it. It's only 4 hours long; what you got to lose? Just a little time, and you may find more than you bargained for. I was afraid before starting that it would be similar to Randy Pausch's awful self-congratulatory totally and over-hyped "Last Lecture." This is nothing like it. One of the few books that I feel totally comfortable giving five stars to. It really is amazing.
July 27, 2018
7/17/2018: started to reread this book. Having donated it o a special library, I ran across it while reorganizing the shelves of that library and found my interest rekindled to go back and read it again...
Interesting to revisit a book when I have so many others on my 'want to read' list, but this was well worth it and gained added meaning as the years have passed since that first time read, offering new perspective on the author's insights on life lived through the challenge of dying with cancer. His message remains that if we can overcome fear of death (inevitable as that is) our lives can open to a new and freeing one to enjoy fully. The subtitle tells it better than the actual title: 'living each day as if it were your last' and if the reader can accept that, this can be a life-changing experience, worth even this second visit as I just did.
In this second reading, there was added life experiences since my first time reading his book. With two recent very close lifetime friends passing from cancer, I saw firsthand examples of many points the author was sharing, especially visiting both in their final months when they had fought and when that didn't work any more, accepted without fear, whatever comes next beyond death. Both were at age 76, the same ge I am, so there was that added connection to their experience. Twenty-four years ago (in 1994) I had faced my own death but survived with the gift of a heart in a life saving heart transplant. That life experience, along with three other moments facing death with little I could do to avoid it, has allowed me to release from any fear of death, accepting that my afterlife in the Christian tradition involves facing God and heaven, something I am truly curious to see. The author describes the same freedom once we overcome the inevitability of eventually dying. In last days before their deaths, I was blessed with visiting both and saw that acceptance and looking with courage whatever they believed would follow. This book speaks to that experience regardless of your beliefs or chosen faith. It is an inspiring message that draws from many different beliefs and traditions, well worth the short reading and resultant reflections on one's own life. The final chapter talks about love and our spousal relationship, adding thoughtful insight to the path of the caregiver when walking along side a loved one facing death.
Original thoughts at first reading: written while dying, a doctor used to helping patients faces cancer and death, finds himself without fear when he faces his own mortality - dying of cancer shortly before his book got published.
see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...
Interesting to revisit a book when I have so many others on my 'want to read' list, but this was well worth it and gained added meaning as the years have passed since that first time read, offering new perspective on the author's insights on life lived through the challenge of dying with cancer. His message remains that if we can overcome fear of death (inevitable as that is) our lives can open to a new and freeing one to enjoy fully. The subtitle tells it better than the actual title: 'living each day as if it were your last' and if the reader can accept that, this can be a life-changing experience, worth even this second visit as I just did.
In this second reading, there was added life experiences since my first time reading his book. With two recent very close lifetime friends passing from cancer, I saw firsthand examples of many points the author was sharing, especially visiting both in their final months when they had fought and when that didn't work any more, accepted without fear, whatever comes next beyond death. Both were at age 76, the same ge I am, so there was that added connection to their experience. Twenty-four years ago (in 1994) I had faced my own death but survived with the gift of a heart in a life saving heart transplant. That life experience, along with three other moments facing death with little I could do to avoid it, has allowed me to release from any fear of death, accepting that my afterlife in the Christian tradition involves facing God and heaven, something I am truly curious to see. The author describes the same freedom once we overcome the inevitability of eventually dying. In last days before their deaths, I was blessed with visiting both and saw that acceptance and looking with courage whatever they believed would follow. This book speaks to that experience regardless of your beliefs or chosen faith. It is an inspiring message that draws from many different beliefs and traditions, well worth the short reading and resultant reflections on one's own life. The final chapter talks about love and our spousal relationship, adding thoughtful insight to the path of the caregiver when walking along side a loved one facing death.
Original thoughts at first reading: written while dying, a doctor used to helping patients faces cancer and death, finds himself without fear when he faces his own mortality - dying of cancer shortly before his book got published.
see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...
December 7, 2011
Unless you just happen to have this book fall into your lap I don't think there should be a spoiler alert on this one... you pretty much know early on how this book is going to end. I also want to thank Random House and goodreads for giving me the chance to read this book through it's first reads offer.
It is an amazing self-help book on a subject few of us want to talk about, but all of us have to deal with at some point.
The author, a relatively young doctor in his 50's learns one day out of the blue from just a small medical issue that he is dealing with a very very serious cancer. This is not your "bucket list" type book, instead it is a look at the process of dealing with death. If some day we are faced with such a diagnosis,it's a chance especially for those that are very clinical or have a personality that deals with things in complex and compartmental ways to see how one might react in a very positive way.
This is not a book about someone who is eager to die so they can get to that better place on the other side... instead it is a look at how this life changing event made the author see what he was so grateful to have in his life... a gratitude he hopes more people see in their own lives well before they look death in the eye... and he admits it's a gratitude that can at times be tough to find.
There are a few "tools" for lack of a better word that I will take from this book and try to apply to my own life. This will also be a book that I will keep close by for a long time to come and have a favorite page from it that I will likely return to from time to time.
It says:
When you are inside a box of pain, scratch away at the walls. When you are inside a box of depression, scratch away. A box of perfectionism, scratch away. A box of self-pity, scratch away at those walls as if your life depended on it. Because it does. You won't know where you are going, or how to get there, or what it will look like on the other side. But if there is pain or worry or unhappiness, scratch away at the walls that imprison you -- scratch away with prayer, meditation, yoga, exercise, laughter, art, movement, gratitude, acceptance, and love. Scratch away with the knowledge that there is so much more to life than what we imagine it to be.
Truer words were never written... R.I.P. Dr. Lee Lipsenthal
It is an amazing self-help book on a subject few of us want to talk about, but all of us have to deal with at some point.
The author, a relatively young doctor in his 50's learns one day out of the blue from just a small medical issue that he is dealing with a very very serious cancer. This is not your "bucket list" type book, instead it is a look at the process of dealing with death. If some day we are faced with such a diagnosis,it's a chance especially for those that are very clinical or have a personality that deals with things in complex and compartmental ways to see how one might react in a very positive way.
This is not a book about someone who is eager to die so they can get to that better place on the other side... instead it is a look at how this life changing event made the author see what he was so grateful to have in his life... a gratitude he hopes more people see in their own lives well before they look death in the eye... and he admits it's a gratitude that can at times be tough to find.
There are a few "tools" for lack of a better word that I will take from this book and try to apply to my own life. This will also be a book that I will keep close by for a long time to come and have a favorite page from it that I will likely return to from time to time.
It says:
When you are inside a box of pain, scratch away at the walls. When you are inside a box of depression, scratch away. A box of perfectionism, scratch away. A box of self-pity, scratch away at those walls as if your life depended on it. Because it does. You won't know where you are going, or how to get there, or what it will look like on the other side. But if there is pain or worry or unhappiness, scratch away at the walls that imprison you -- scratch away with prayer, meditation, yoga, exercise, laughter, art, movement, gratitude, acceptance, and love. Scratch away with the knowledge that there is so much more to life than what we imagine it to be.
Truer words were never written... R.I.P. Dr. Lee Lipsenthal
March 16, 2024
simple, poignant, profound, and beautiful.
February 12, 2012
Do you ever wonder if you would live your life differently if you knew the day you would die? It's an interesting question and one that I think about as I get older. Fact is, I may not know the day I'll die, but I can bet my booties that I will. So why waste precious time being miserable, or worrying, holding grudges, etc.? Cause I'm human! But there's hope for me. Books like Enjoy every sandwich: Living Each Day As If It Were Your Last remind me of the preciousness of each day and every moment.
Lee Lipsenthal, Medical Director of Preventative Medical Research Institute has his own faith tested when diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2009. He opens up his heart and soul in this little gem of a book as he shares his illness, treatment and thoughts about his own mortality. A Howie Mandel kind of looking guy with a great big smile, Dr. Lipsenthal gives some sound advice as he challenges us to live life fully and gratefully each day.
Chapter Eighteen was very helpful to me. It is entitled "Living and Dying Outside the Box". The first sentence of says "We create the world we live in" and goes on to talk about our lives as a box of our making. Some of us have large boxes, others, small. Fear of change, stepping out of that comfort zone, can also be limiting. Dr. Lipsenthal scratched at his small box and embraced the new world he found. "Scratch away with the knowledge that there is so much more to life than what we imagine it to be". Inspirational, thought-provoking, reminder to me. I am saddened to know that Dr. Lipsenthal died in September 20, 2011 but heartened that he chose how he would make the journey to his own "good day to die"
Lee Lipsenthal, Medical Director of Preventative Medical Research Institute has his own faith tested when diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2009. He opens up his heart and soul in this little gem of a book as he shares his illness, treatment and thoughts about his own mortality. A Howie Mandel kind of looking guy with a great big smile, Dr. Lipsenthal gives some sound advice as he challenges us to live life fully and gratefully each day.
Chapter Eighteen was very helpful to me. It is entitled "Living and Dying Outside the Box". The first sentence of says "We create the world we live in" and goes on to talk about our lives as a box of our making. Some of us have large boxes, others, small. Fear of change, stepping out of that comfort zone, can also be limiting. Dr. Lipsenthal scratched at his small box and embraced the new world he found. "Scratch away with the knowledge that there is so much more to life than what we imagine it to be". Inspirational, thought-provoking, reminder to me. I am saddened to know that Dr. Lipsenthal died in September 20, 2011 but heartened that he chose how he would make the journey to his own "good day to die"
August 16, 2014
It was interesting at first, but he started getting into reincarnation, and some other quite different beliefs - just a little far out for me.
January 21, 2015
I am not sure how this book fell on my lap, but found it in the Wilbur system at the library. It is a self help book, and my beliefs and faith do not line up with this self help book at all!
May 31, 2016
This book was really all over the place. I didn't expect the past lives, premonitions, etc that were a huge part of his story. I think I took away a few things, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.
September 2, 2016
Disappointed with this book. Like the title and the concept. Author did not "really" follow that idea throughout.
September 19, 2018
Wow! Just WOW! Such a powerful book. A dying man takes the time (an extremely precious commodity under his circumstances) to write a book; a book about living, "truly living". He puts his heart, mind and soul into accepting and embracing his terminal illness, and in doing so, finds the joy and blessings that his life gave to him and then shares his knowledge and experience with his readers. This book has so many valid and insightful truths, but the one that really hit home for me was that we all spend most of our time "fighting" death (a fruitless fight indeed, as its outcome is inevitable for everyone, no exceptions), instead of enjoying and embracing our journey, every step of the way, to wherever it takes us.
January 27, 2018
I didn’t expect this book to go into ideas such as reincarnation, astral plane projection, and psychic healing. It was an interesting trip and it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed this book more for its overall message of acceptance of death & celebrations about life & love.
August 1, 2024
A little bit memoir, a little bit new age woo-woo (which maybe is just science we haven’t yet uncovered?) and a lot of real talk about love, death and dying. This book made me want to start meditating again.
September 6, 2016
Lee Lipsenthal helped thousands of patients through his job as the medical director of Preventative Medicine Research Institute. His job was to help those with serious diseases to overcome their fears of pain and of death. Lee was extremely successful in making others feel comfortable in their time of greatest need.
Then in July of 2009, after a doctors visit it was discovered that Lee had esophageal cancer. Shocked, a non numb Lee stumbled through the every day motions of making his wife feel safe and his two children secure. Lee made a decision then and there that he was not going to stop living, just because he was dying. Instead Lee continued to live life even fuller than before realizing that every bite of life counted.... every flower, every moment, ever conversation..... Lee learned to enjoy Every Sandwich.
For me it is this one self that is not identified with cancer, pain, or fear. Cancer is just a physical event of the moment - it just is what it is.
Lee Lipsenthal
Late last year I read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and this book reminded me a little of that one. Lee, like Randy, had been given a terminal diagnosis.... and Lee, like Randy, decided that they were not just going to lay down and die... but choose to live each day as best they could.
Lee chose to live by rules that each of us should apply in our lives anyway:
Make unconditional love a practice.
Fun stuff happens every day, embrace it.
Find joy in your work.
Be committed to make a difference.
I have to admit I struggled with Lee's thoughts on God (or what he called the "God Neuroimagination") and some of the different ways he experienced or pursued spirituality. It did seem as though he did experience Jesus at one point and that I was thrilled about.
I liked some of the things that Lee did or suggested. Writing three things down each day that we are grateful for that happened that day before we go to bed? I love that! Who am I kidding? I need that!
Lee's story is bitter sweet. In his final year he reminds us that life is short for all of us. It's too short for fighting or separating yourself from family and friends, its time we all take a closer look at the things, the people we take for granted.
I lost my entire immediate family by the time I was 29 years old. I am a firm believer in experiencing the things you have always wanted to try, and to forgive because life is too short to carry the pain of grudge, anger, and resentment. Lee reminds me that each flower is one of a kind and the smell of a spring day is one well worth taking the time to breathe into my memory.
Then in July of 2009, after a doctors visit it was discovered that Lee had esophageal cancer. Shocked, a non numb Lee stumbled through the every day motions of making his wife feel safe and his two children secure. Lee made a decision then and there that he was not going to stop living, just because he was dying. Instead Lee continued to live life even fuller than before realizing that every bite of life counted.... every flower, every moment, ever conversation..... Lee learned to enjoy Every Sandwich.
For me it is this one self that is not identified with cancer, pain, or fear. Cancer is just a physical event of the moment - it just is what it is.
Lee Lipsenthal
Late last year I read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and this book reminded me a little of that one. Lee, like Randy, had been given a terminal diagnosis.... and Lee, like Randy, decided that they were not just going to lay down and die... but choose to live each day as best they could.
Lee chose to live by rules that each of us should apply in our lives anyway:
Make unconditional love a practice.
Fun stuff happens every day, embrace it.
Find joy in your work.
Be committed to make a difference.
I have to admit I struggled with Lee's thoughts on God (or what he called the "God Neuroimagination") and some of the different ways he experienced or pursued spirituality. It did seem as though he did experience Jesus at one point and that I was thrilled about.
I liked some of the things that Lee did or suggested. Writing three things down each day that we are grateful for that happened that day before we go to bed? I love that! Who am I kidding? I need that!
Lee's story is bitter sweet. In his final year he reminds us that life is short for all of us. It's too short for fighting or separating yourself from family and friends, its time we all take a closer look at the things, the people we take for granted.
I lost my entire immediate family by the time I was 29 years old. I am a firm believer in experiencing the things you have always wanted to try, and to forgive because life is too short to carry the pain of grudge, anger, and resentment. Lee reminds me that each flower is one of a kind and the smell of a spring day is one well worth taking the time to breathe into my memory.
June 11, 2012
Let me start by saying that until you have walked in somebody else's shoes, it is impossible to understand what going through the process of dying is. I wanted to like this book very much, and to feel compassion and to feel moved. Instead, it seemed to be a book "all about me", and maybe that's the way it's supposed to be or should be. I don't know. However, I could not forgive the author for writing about an incident with his wife (also a physician, taking care of her patients, taking care of the two teenage children, taking care of him) - and her one ritual was to watch a TV program at night. The author very much wanted her to come to bed and hold him, and she wanted to watch her program -- really, the one thing in the day she seemed to do for herself. Now I don't know why he couldn't sit on the couch and be held by her while she watched her program. Anyway, he went to bed annoyed or angry and some time later figured out that watching that program was her escape and coping mechanism and so explained to her why she couldn't meet his needs. What a hurtful thing to write for everyone to see, but especially for his wife to see in print. And I know he was dying, but loving her, couldn't he have taken that feeling to the grave with him? What possible purpose was served by sharing with the world how his needs were not met by the one who loved him most, and who he loved most. Also, the author started with the premise that he was so happy at having lived life well and it was ok that he was dying because he had had so many opportunities and done what he loved his whole life (all about me). Yet he was a physician who practiced meditation, careful nutrition and exercise, and promotion of cardiovascular health well known, flying around giving papers and helping all kinds of people take control of their lives. And he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and died relatively young - his parents were still alive. How did that happen? There is no discussion of what went wrong, or how doing everything right in terms of prevention, and having access to the best treatment possible in the US, he still died at age fifty something. As a physician who in the book cited research on different things, I somehow expected him to have some discussion of why this happens - nothing. So I feel bad offering such a harsh review, though I have not been able to find anything that connects with me.
April 18, 2021
Inspirational book with an emphasis on being content with life. The author discusses his “past life experiences” which seems nutty to me but maybe I’m just jealous I haven’t had any. Very similar story line to “when breath becomes air.”
February 3, 2013
Martı Yayınları’ndan çıkmış olan “ Lee Lipsenthal’in -Tek Tadımlık Hayat” adlı kitabını , bitirmiş bulunmaktayım .
Öncelikle, kitabın ismi benı etkilemişti .Ve konusunu okuduğum da konusu değişik gelmişti açıkçası ve uzun zamandır , kişisel gelişim tarzında bir kitap okumamıştım .Değişik bir çeşni oldu benım için .
Kitabın dili çok sade ve akıcı , tabii bunda çevirmeninde büyük katkısı olduğunu düşünüyorum .Fakat , bazı kelimeler de ( felsefi ve tıbbi terimler de )anlamları için dipnot düşülseymiş , çok daha iyi olurmuş , düşüncesindeyim .Tabii ben okurken , o tarz kelimeler için google dan yardım almadım değil .Aslında bir nevi iyi oldu , araştırmacı yönümü de tetikledi bu kitap .
Kitabın içeriğinden biraz bahsedecek olursam ; bir adam var . ( adı : Lee ) .Bu adamın kendısıne kanser teşhısı konulmasına rağmen , hayatı dolu dolu yaşamasını ,yaşanması gerektiğiyle ilgili bilgece anlatımlarını , kendi hayatından kesitler sunarak biz okuyuculara aktarmış .Kitapta ; aynı zaman da aile ilişkilerini , arkadaşlık –dostluk ve aşkı da bulacaksınız .
Bu kitabı okurken , bence bildiğimiz ama çoğu zaman gözden kaçırdığımız gerçeklerin farkına bir kez daha varmış oldum .(olacaksınız ) Hatta okurken bazı yerler de kısa kısa notlar aldım .
Ayrıca her hayatın her döneminde , okunabilecek , bir nevi başucu kitabı niteliğinde .
Bu kitabı, herkesin okumasını tavsiye ediyorum .Ve bizlerle bu kitabı buluşturduğu için “ MARTI YAYINLARI’NA , çok teşekkür ediyorum .Saygılarımla…
Öncelikle, kitabın ismi benı etkilemişti .Ve konusunu okuduğum da konusu değişik gelmişti açıkçası ve uzun zamandır , kişisel gelişim tarzında bir kitap okumamıştım .Değişik bir çeşni oldu benım için .
Kitabın dili çok sade ve akıcı , tabii bunda çevirmeninde büyük katkısı olduğunu düşünüyorum .Fakat , bazı kelimeler de ( felsefi ve tıbbi terimler de )anlamları için dipnot düşülseymiş , çok daha iyi olurmuş , düşüncesindeyim .Tabii ben okurken , o tarz kelimeler için google dan yardım almadım değil .Aslında bir nevi iyi oldu , araştırmacı yönümü de tetikledi bu kitap .
Kitabın içeriğinden biraz bahsedecek olursam ; bir adam var . ( adı : Lee ) .Bu adamın kendısıne kanser teşhısı konulmasına rağmen , hayatı dolu dolu yaşamasını ,yaşanması gerektiğiyle ilgili bilgece anlatımlarını , kendi hayatından kesitler sunarak biz okuyuculara aktarmış .Kitapta ; aynı zaman da aile ilişkilerini , arkadaşlık –dostluk ve aşkı da bulacaksınız .
Bu kitabı okurken , bence bildiğimiz ama çoğu zaman gözden kaçırdığımız gerçeklerin farkına bir kez daha varmış oldum .(olacaksınız ) Hatta okurken bazı yerler de kısa kısa notlar aldım .
Ayrıca her hayatın her döneminde , okunabilecek , bir nevi başucu kitabı niteliğinde .
Bu kitabı, herkesin okumasını tavsiye ediyorum .Ve bizlerle bu kitabı buluşturduğu için “ MARTI YAYINLARI’NA , çok teşekkür ediyorum .Saygılarımla…
March 28, 2017
Recommended to me by my father's wonderful Primary Care Doctor, Dr. Din.
Written and narrated by the author, Lee Lipsenthal, a very special person, successful physician, great husband, father, shaman, psychic, at least by his own report. While some of it is definitely too "New Agey and Shirley MacLaine-ish" for me, he comes across as a very likeable, intelligent and caring guy.
(I have to admit at the "Hands of Jesus Healing Kevin's Heart" Story, I had to cringe and take the name of the Lord in Vain several times, quietly).
This is the story of how, when given a diagnosis with a 90% mortality rate within 5 years, he was able to face Death and not be afraid. And I loved that. He lived with cancer the way I would want to if I were given that burden.
After the book ended, I had to google what happened to the author, because I was so affected by his story.
I recommend the audio version. This was a great commute book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interesting in Well-Being, Meditation and Physician Burn-Out.
Written and narrated by the author, Lee Lipsenthal, a very special person, successful physician, great husband, father, shaman, psychic, at least by his own report. While some of it is definitely too "New Agey and Shirley MacLaine-ish" for me, he comes across as a very likeable, intelligent and caring guy.
(I have to admit at the "Hands of Jesus Healing Kevin's Heart" Story, I had to cringe and take the name of the Lord in Vain several times, quietly).
This is the story of how, when given a diagnosis with a 90% mortality rate within 5 years, he was able to face Death and not be afraid. And I loved that. He lived with cancer the way I would want to if I were given that burden.
After the book ended, I had to google what happened to the author, because I was so affected by his story.
I recommend the audio version. This was a great commute book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interesting in Well-Being, Meditation and Physician Burn-Out.
March 2, 2012
We've all heard the advice of living every day as if it were your last. But, how many of us could actually sit back and enjoy life if we were given a diagnosis of a terminal illness? In July, 2009, Lipsenthal was diagnosed with terminal esophageal cancer. Rather than panic or dwell on the unfairness of his situation, Dr. Lipsenthal focused on living his remaining months with joy, peace, and gratitude. Although there are parts of this book that my inner skeptic found a bit unbelievable, the message of enjoying every minute of life is a good one. Lipsenthal is brutally honest and does not hesitate to bare his emotions and share his feelings. The audiobook is narrated by the author and in some parts when he discusses some very difficult feelings, his voice is choked up with tears (which of course made me cry also). Very moving and very inspirational.
June 8, 2012
To be honest, my ranking is personal. I' doubt this will enter the annals of great books, and could have rated it accordingly, but it hit a note with me. Finally, someone described what I've felt but never seen in print- I just can't do what works for others- the imagery of "battling" or "fighting" my disease, though neither will I capitulate. I'll do what I can , but prefer to Live with ALS and to work towards peace, not conflict. Read this short book (yes there are some far out parts but the author is clear that it's just his experience) if you are living with a terminal disease or love someone who is. And I don't care how many stars you give it!
P.s. You do have to get past the dorky title.
P.s. You do have to get past the dorky title.
February 22, 2012
Enjoy Every Sandwich by Lee Lipsenehal, M. D.
Taking the title from a quote by musician Warren Zevon who also died of cancer, Lee Lipsenthal decided not to fight or battle when diagnosed with cancer. That doesn’t mean he gave up or wanted to die and leave his loved ones behind, he found he didn’t fear death and wanted to with gratitude and love.
I enjoyed this book even though I’m skeptical of some of the events; however I feel that everyone has to find their own way of dealing with disease, death and the stress it causes. There are many quotes in the book that I enjoyed such as “find the joy in the simplicity of life”.
Taking the title from a quote by musician Warren Zevon who also died of cancer, Lee Lipsenthal decided not to fight or battle when diagnosed with cancer. That doesn’t mean he gave up or wanted to die and leave his loved ones behind, he found he didn’t fear death and wanted to with gratitude and love.
I enjoyed this book even though I’m skeptical of some of the events; however I feel that everyone has to find their own way of dealing with disease, death and the stress it causes. There are many quotes in the book that I enjoyed such as “find the joy in the simplicity of life”.
May 14, 2012
I surprised myself reading this cover to cover. Usually I barely peruse these kinds of books, and "get" the one idea in about 10 minutes. This one felt different, as he moved from where he was to where he is, and the insights he (a doctor) gained as one who experiences cancer and life, and learns along the way. I really enjoyed this little book, and feel stronger, better from reading it. Awww. Sorry he had to go (he died recently), but so glad he wrote.
May 2, 2012
Written by a doctor who helps others face death without feeling fear as well as his experience with cancer. I like the idea of this more than the actual book.
January 28, 2014
Started off really good then got weird. The second half seemed to focus on yoga, meditation, past lives, deep breathing, etc. Not what I had expected based on the title and description.
Read
June 10, 2020Muito bom, muito interessante e trás uma visão sobre fé e sobre a vida e a morte de uma maneira linda.
January 29, 2018
I actually liked this book but was not sure when I read reviews that complained about the woowoo- new age stuff in it. I looked at those parts like I do religion. If it helped him, good, as long as it didn't hurt anyone else.
This book was written by a doctor after he was given the terminal diagnosis of cancer. He talks about living life to the fullest and how the most important thing in the end is love. He does talk about past lives an astral projection. There are so many things to think about when you are dying and he did a good job of being very open with this book an how real things were with his wife, his kids, and even his parents. He shared about how he would use things like meditation to help him through this treatments. He tried to keep a positive attitude and live his life to the fullest while he was dying. That is all we can do as we are all dying. None of us know when. Some of us do know how- or think we know- things happen. I try to read many books of choosing your views to help me remember these things. Life can be very difficult at times but we need to remember that it can always be worse. If we have our basic need met and friends and family that we love and that love us, what else can we really need? Nothing. Everything else really is a want. Live your life, enjoy your life and don't let the little every day things ruin your day. You do not know what tomorrow holds and if you hold onto the sadness, bitterness, an anger, you are less likely to see the good and also more likely to get ill.
Sorry for the ramble. Overall, this is a good quick read about positive attitude towards life and worth the reading time.
This book was written by a doctor after he was given the terminal diagnosis of cancer. He talks about living life to the fullest and how the most important thing in the end is love. He does talk about past lives an astral projection. There are so many things to think about when you are dying and he did a good job of being very open with this book an how real things were with his wife, his kids, and even his parents. He shared about how he would use things like meditation to help him through this treatments. He tried to keep a positive attitude and live his life to the fullest while he was dying. That is all we can do as we are all dying. None of us know when. Some of us do know how- or think we know- things happen. I try to read many books of choosing your views to help me remember these things. Life can be very difficult at times but we need to remember that it can always be worse. If we have our basic need met and friends and family that we love and that love us, what else can we really need? Nothing. Everything else really is a want. Live your life, enjoy your life and don't let the little every day things ruin your day. You do not know what tomorrow holds and if you hold onto the sadness, bitterness, an anger, you are less likely to see the good and also more likely to get ill.
Sorry for the ramble. Overall, this is a good quick read about positive attitude towards life and worth the reading time.
August 28, 2017
It was about four years ago that I read this book so this review arrives in a bit belated. I chose this particular book because it falls within a genera that I seek out. Reflective memoirs written by professionals facing imminent death hold an appeal, in a morbid sort of way I suppose you could look at it. I see these genera of books as having the potential for great insight. Potential is the key word.
I debated on whether to go with 3 or 4 stars but since I didn't want to appear misleading, I went with 3 in order to err on the side of caution. The book is worth a read if one keeps in mind that Dr. Lipsenthal is-was facing his demise during the composition of the book. I sensed, while reading it, that he was (still) in a struggle with his own personal demons-of-impending-death but who wouldn't be?
While it appeared the book may have been a last letter to his family in as much as it was an effort to reach out to the rest of us, it did stray into psychic oblivion towards the end and lost me as a (serious) reader. We are all destined to die, some day. Words of wisdom from those with the foreknowledge and time to compose a book is appreciated and for that, I thank Dr. Lipsenthal for spending some of the precious, last few days he had to gift us this book.
I debated on whether to go with 3 or 4 stars but since I didn't want to appear misleading, I went with 3 in order to err on the side of caution. The book is worth a read if one keeps in mind that Dr. Lipsenthal is-was facing his demise during the composition of the book. I sensed, while reading it, that he was (still) in a struggle with his own personal demons-of-impending-death but who wouldn't be?
While it appeared the book may have been a last letter to his family in as much as it was an effort to reach out to the rest of us, it did stray into psychic oblivion towards the end and lost me as a (serious) reader. We are all destined to die, some day. Words of wisdom from those with the foreknowledge and time to compose a book is appreciated and for that, I thank Dr. Lipsenthal for spending some of the precious, last few days he had to gift us this book.
May 16, 2018
The author made his point pretty early on in the book and then went into some unexpected topics, introducing surface level discussions and explanations on the power of meditation, mindfulness practice, yoga past life regression, shamanic healing and the like. What I liked: His stories helped me understand why people with terminal cancer might choose homeopathic methods over more aggressive treatments like chemo and radiation. I could appreciate his relative calm despite his diagnosis. I found the idea of going straight to acceptance (rather than through the other 5 stages of grief) when you are dealing interesting. For the author, it saved energy which he then put into enjoying life. What I didn't like: I finished the book feeling like some stories hadn't been completely told. No details were shared about his family trip abroad. We don't really hear his family's persepctive, especially not the children. Though the book was honest and interesting enough to listen to in my car, sitting in traffic, I'm not sure if I can recommend the book as an absolute "must read" when others, like the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh have covered this topic better.
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