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Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation Audiobook
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(4.00) - 2,333 listener ratings
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In this honest and compelling meditation, Parker Palmer reflects upon vocation, spirit, and the life journey with a depth of insight that will touch anyone who yearns for an authentic way of standing and serving in the world. Finding one's calling is not just about finding something we can do—it is about finding what we can'tnotdo."Let your life speak" is a time-honored Quaker admonition to live one's life as witness to the deepest truths one knows. But as Palmer explains, those words can also mean "listen to your life, and let it tell you what your truth is." Vocation, he writes, comes not from external demands but from listening to the "true self," a listening that will always call us into some form of service to others.
As Palmer's many readers know, his writing has always been grounded in his own life experience; here he speaks even more vulnerably of his own times of being lost in the dark—as well as moments of stumbling into the light—in his own quest for vocation. Though the details of his journey are singular, he draws from it that which is universal. The result is a moving and illuminating book for anyone who seeks not just a job but a calling and companionship along the way.
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"If I could, I would give Palmer's book 10 stars. While the main tenet of this book is how to truly listen to your life's clues to discern your vocation, Palmer also embarks on the importance of community, leadership, and illustrates his vocational journey by including his walk through depression, which are all beautifully interconnected. I have never read such a clear description of (clinical) depression. I had to sit with this book, write down Palmer's words so that they landed deep within me, because I felt the truth far into my soul. I appreciated his use of metaphor as well. I think there are some wonderful words of wisdom, lovely imagery, beautiful poetry, and outstanding quotations from other authors that speaks directly to the heart. This book is much more than discussing how to find your vocation, it is a call to listen, to be, and to make the world a better place by being where your talents are best needed."
— The (5 out of 5 stars)
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“He deftly illustrates his point with examples from the lives of people he admires, such as Rosa Parks, Annie Dillard and Vaclav Havel. A quiet but memorable addition to the inspirational field, this book has the quality of a finely worked homily. The writing displays a gentle wisdom and economy of style that leaves the reader curious for more insight into the author’s Quaker philosophy.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“An exuberant and passionate book. I was deeply moved and I cannot, nor do I want to, shake off the haunting questions that it raises for me. This book penetrates the soul, and it will definitely stir you to explore more of your own inner territory. What an extraordinary achievement.”
— Jim Kouzes, coauthor, The Leadership Challenge and Encouraging the Heart; chairman, Tom Peters Group/Learning Systems -
“Parker Palmer’s writing is like a high country stream—clear, vital, honest. If your life seems to be passing you by, and you cannot see the way ahead, immerse yourself in the wisdom of these pages and allow it to carry you toward a more attentive relationship with your deeper, inner self.”
— John S. Mogabgab, editor, Weavings Journal -
“There are no how-to formulas in this extremely unpretentious and well-written book, just fireside wisdom from an elder who is willing to share his mistakes and stories as he learned to live a life worth speaking about.”
— Amazon.com
Let Your Life Speak Listener Reviews
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" An encouraging, short read about finding (and following) one's true self. Appreciated Palmer's honesty about his bouts with clinical depression, and how those experiences shaped him spiritually and vocationally. I wish this book would have been around when I was a young adult seeking "God's will for my life." Am grateful it was on the reading list for my college-aged son. "
— Paula, 2/18/2014 -
" This book had a lot of really wonderful thoughts about vocation, but for some reason, I felt a bit of a disconnect. "
— Astrid, 2/12/2014 -
" Palmer could probably leave a little more room for God's sanctifying work in his appraisal of human weakness but still a helpful read for those wrestling with vocational angst. "
— Tim, 2/12/2014 -
" Got this for Christmas. If you can put aside the occasional reference to God (he is not preachy at all) so far it has some really great things to say about vocation and what you should be doing with your life. "
— Jenny, 1/28/2014 -
" Intensely truthful, humbling, and helpful. Thoughtful use of words. "
— Jenny, 1/28/2014 -
" I have read this book numerous times and given this book as gifts numerous times. A great one for anyone trying to make a decision that will affect your life-jobs to take, moves to make, people to marry (or divorce). "
— Colleen, 1/22/2014 -
" I loved this book. It speaks wisely and truthfully to anyone who reads it and is trying to figure out what to do with their life, whether they are are making a big decision or a small one. "
— Esther, 1/20/2014 -
" I read this book years after The Courage to Teach -- again so many gems of wisdom. "
— Sue, 1/16/2014 -
" a bit tough to stick with, but if you get into the frame of mind this is a good little book on listening to your vocation. "
— Kristen, 12/21/2013 -
" This was a really inspiring book. I thought it was interesting how he talked about if your job is not your vocation, you may be doing a disservice to those you serve. The discussion of his path through clinical depression was also worth thinking about. "
— Marisa, 12/14/2013 -
" I didn't take to Parker Palmer at first, but I'm glad I came around. "
— Michael, 12/7/2013 -
" The first 2 chapters are worth the price of the book. Great insights on the nurturing of the image of God within us. "
— Jim, 11/18/2013 -
" I loved this book. What he has to say transcends just vocational advice - it is about life. It makes me want to be a Quaker! "
— Tammye, 10/13/2013 -
" I had to read this for work and it turned out it was really, really good and thought provoking. "
— Wine, 8/31/2013 -
" Thought provoking. A book I will probably read several times. "
— Mje331, 8/18/2013 -
" This book literally changed my life! It's not a self help book. "
— Kevin, 6/3/2013 -
" The beginning was a little fluffy, but as he got more real - the message got better. "
— Dveith, 2/17/2013 -
" A great meditation on what it means to be true to yourself. "
— Jean, 1/26/2013 -
" Way too "new age" for this disciple. "
— Becky, 12/21/2012 -
" I have read through this book twice. It is one of those "little" books, taken slowly will help one to see and hear in a new way. I read it and then reread it about one year later. Saw and heard some new things. Good exercise for the mind and heart. "
— Ronda, 4/26/2012 -
" This was a great book. I deeply enjoyed reading it and will likely re-read it again in the near future. Read this book. "
— Andy, 11/25/2011 -
" This is a little gem . . . can't even put words to it--but it impacted me in really significant ways. I would recommend it for anyone who has ever wondered about their "vocation." "
— Annemarie, 10/30/2011 -
" I got a more balanced perspective from life as a whole through this book, Specially the way I look at problems and setbacks. Parker Palmer opened up his life and we were all blessed by it... "
— Alberto, 10/26/2011 -
" Thought-provoking and real. "
— Hollybeth, 7/4/2011 -
" If only I had read this before I went to college. Reading this after a friend gave it to me for a gift helped me learn a hard lesson early. "
— Katie, 5/1/2011 -
" If you haven't read this book. . . go read it. "
— Charissa, 4/22/2011 -
" Parker Palmer is one of my favorite people. I loved his book Courage to Teach which had a profound impact on me. "
— Barbara, 3/5/2011 -
" A short, sweet book with some memoir elements. "
— Virginia, 2/14/2011 -
" This was recommended by Jordan. I like Palmer's writing style, and find him challenging and insightful. For me, his thoughts about vocation are timely, and his journey relevant. I particularly liked his emphasis on living "inside out" rather than "outside in." "
— doug, 1/18/2011 -
" Bombast. A few good points, including describing his depression, but which could be summed up in five pages. It should have been titled, "Let me speak about my life". Very little to do with the reader or the reader's search for vocation. "
— Geoffrey, 1/3/2011 -
" Great advice. Gains credibility in my books by working in writers like Buechner, Rilke, Merton, and Dillard. "
— Luke, 1/2/2011 -
" Awful, awful, awful. Since reading, my life has been speaking a lot. It keeps asking me why I subjected myself to this. "
— Troy, 12/17/2010 -
" Very good. Short. What needs to die in order for something new to be born? How has life gifted you with failures in order to cut off pathways that were not yours to travel?<br/><br/>Heart felt. Vulnerable. Deals with the dark side. "
— John, 12/7/2010 -
" Read this book. Read it. Read the section on depression again. <br/><br/> "
— Rachel, 9/25/2010 -
" This is for all people, very useful, keeps things balanced. "
— Scott, 9/22/2010
About Parker J. Palmer
Parker J. Palmer holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a founder and senior partner of the Center for Courage and Renewal, senior associate of the American Association for Higher Education, and senior advisor to the Fetzer Institute. In 1998, he was named one of the thirty most influential senior leaders in higher education. He is the author of numerous books, including the bestsellers Let Your Life Speak and A Hidden Wholeness.
About Stefan Rudnicki
Stefan Rudnicki first became involved with audiobooks in 1994. Now a Grammy-winning audiobook producer, he has worked on more than five thousand audiobooks as a narrator, writer, producer, or director. He has narrated more than nine hundred audiobooks. A recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, he was presented the coveted Audie Award for solo narration in 2005, 2007, and 2014, and was named one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices in 2012.