Life Is Short, Wear Your Party Pants

This book has been absolutely amazing. I noticed my life has been stressful recently and I was just doing everything to get it done. This book has made me cherish the small moments in my life. Loretta Laroche is an amazing writer and I plan on purchasing more of her books in the future!

You will laugh out loud when you read this book. Loretta LaRoche tells it like it is.It's something I just couldn't put down. In fact, I've bought numerous copies to give as gifts!

I would highly recommend this book...practical, inspiring and funny. Loretta helps you appreciate life!

I've liked seeing Loretta LaRoche on various PBS specials, but until now, had never read anything by her . . . what a shame! LIFE IS SHORT, WEAR YOUR PARTY PANTS made me laugh, but it also got me to think about the fact that things such as party pants shouldn't be saved for later--they should be enjoyed now. LaRoche, a stress management consultant, presents such ideas in a humorous, easy-to-apply fashion . . . such as this one: keep a joy journal . . . she notes that, "Keeping a joy journal will help you maintain a feeling of elation, the sense that you're searing with the eagles instead of scratching in the dirt with the turkey." As to what to put down in such a journal, she suggests that you try some of these ideas to move you in the right direction: 1. Think of people who have really made a positive difference in your life. 2. List three of four things that you do well. 3. Write down at least five things that you like about yourself. 4. Think of a time in which you had so much love in your heart that you thought it would burst. 5. Think of some of the favorite physical activities you enjoyed as a child (swimming, jumping rope, roller skating?). List them, and think about ways you might do them again. 6. Think of five qualities you adore in your partner or spouse. Write them down, and tell him or her about them. 7. Think back to a time when you felt supported while going through a challenge. How did this feel, in detail? 8. Remember three time when you felt inner peace and serenity. Can you capture that feeling? Where were you? Why were you feeling so good? 9. Think of someone you might forgive, and how doing so might change your life. 10. Whom do you laugh with the most? Remember a time when you laughed so hard you thought you'd fall over. And laugh is what you'll do when you think of this one other technique advocated by LaRoche . . . she says, "Don't indulge yourself, but don't deny yourself either. It's unhealthy to eat mounds of lasagna every day, but it's just as unhealthy to want it and never allow yourself the pleasure of having some. One of my favorite lines is 'Just have lasagna and shut up!' " Thanks, Loretta . . . methinks I'll do that now; i.e., stop writing this review now and start eating some ice cream instead . . . I'll even be quiet when I do so.

"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." ~Friedrich Nietzsche "Life is Short" is a book about making the choice to live an extraordinary life. It is about showing appreciation, giving more hugs and being more forgiving. Loretta explores a variety of beliefs and shows how stress is a signal to change your life. She brings out some interesting points about conversation being a deep and personal form of bonding and gives practical ways you can reconnect to family and friends. Throughout the book Loretta shares her life, explains the concept of having a higher life purpose and promotes the idea of living in the present. The cover and inner design is highly creative. I loved the little party pants on each page and the abundance of inspiring quotes by Mother Teresa, Ashley Montagu, Arthur Rubinstein and many others. Each chapter has a creative title and a meaningful affirmation. Chapter 10 is entitled: "Join the Party! ("An amazing life requires connection."). Loretta discusses the concepts of stress, optimism, acceptance, humor, creativity, moderation, responsibility, meaning and connection. Unique Topics Include: Keeping a Joy Journal Boost Your Word Power; Boost Your Mood Eight Reasons We Can't Lighten Up Ten Simple Ways to Connect Today The list of "How we create a pessimistic life" was also humorously entitled "Ten Ways to Struggle and Live on the Dark Side." Loretta LaRoche has written this book to help you step into the light of love, laughter and living. Through her writing she shows how we waste so many hours on the dark side and gives practical ways we can step towards the light. ~The Rebecca Review

This is the first self-help book that I have read from cover to cover. Miss Loretta delivers sound commonsense advice and she is funny with it. She is not preaching she is just directing and advising...which is the best way to get my attention. Having read the book and talked about it, a friend told me about the CD...well I have not laughed so much in a long, long time (especially by myself). The audio version of her book will have you in stitches...it contains live performances from her various show and it's funny as hell. I listen to it in the office when people are getting on my nerves, in traffic when the radio is boring...each time I find something new to think about, and the message stays with me. Life IS short, we know this but we don't pay attention...until it's to late. Put on YOUR panty pants and give this book or CD a whirl...you won't be disappointed.