Human Moments: How to Find Meaning and Love in Your Everyday Life

I got this book soon after my dad passed away at the age of 88. Reading this book provided a welcome opportunity to reflect on what is important in life and how to nurture the best in myself, my family, and friends. Hallowell's book addresses serious topics with a light touch. It is humorous, poignant, and wise. I particularly liked the sections that touch on the importance of making time for our children and our elders. I recommend it for anyone who is seeking a daily life that is less harried, task-driven, and mechanized. Buy it, keep it on your night table, and read a few pages at the end of each day. You won't be disappointed.

In Dr. Ned Hallowell's last book, "Connect," he emphasized the importance of "connectedness" to physical, emotional, and mental health. These connections can be with family, friends, colleagues, animals, art, music, ritual, faith, nature, or even history -- and people who have such connections live longer, stay healthier, and find greater enjoyment in their lives and relationships. Dr. Hallowell's new book, "Human Moments," continues to explore the foundations of health in his trademark style of warmth and honesty that makes you feel as if he is speaking just to you. Human moments are those funny, joyful, warm, sad, poignant, inspiring, crazy, loving moments that, in the rush and stress of our daily lives, can so easily be overlooked. Human moments are the building blocks of connections. Hallowell's skill and gift is the ability to present his ideas in a manner so personal and approachable that it truly motivates readers to look at their own lives, values, and relationships, and change them for the better. My belief in the value and importance of Dr. Hallowell's work is not just idle talk. As the head of an organization that builds "connections" with children, parents, and teachers around the world, I have purchased well over a hundred copies of "Human Moments," and Dr. Hallowell's last book, "Connect," and given them out to our employees. I consider it one of the best investments I could possibly make in their health, and the health of the children, families, and communities we serve.

On September 11 our lives changed -- in ways still unknown. And that same week I started reading Human Moments, Dr. Hallowell's newest book. It is helping me get through this horrible time. From his inspiration and wisdom I am finding more meaning and fulfillment in my everyday world. I am learning to recognize and make the most of the situations we all experience--and how everyday encounters with others can become rich and lasting memories. Human Moments is the book I'm recommending to my book club for our first selection of the year. Joyce Leuchten, Mountain Lakes, NJ