• Your Life Isn't for You

  • A Selfish Person's Guide to Being Selfless
  • By: Seth Adam Smith
  • Narrated by: Seth Adam Smith
  • Length: 2 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (64 ratings)

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Your Life Isn't for You  By  cover art

Your Life Isn't for You

By: Seth Adam Smith
Narrated by: Seth Adam Smith
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Publisher's summary

In this book, Seth Adam Smith expands on the philosophy behind his extraordinarily popular blog post "Marriage Isn't for You" - which received over 30 million hits and has been translated into over 20 languages - and shares how living for others can enrich every aspect of your life, just as it has his. With a mix of humor, candor, and compassion, he reveals how, years before his marriage, his self-obsession led to a downward spiral of addiction and depression, culminating in a suicide attempt at the age of 20. Reflecting on the love and support he experienced in the aftermath, as well as on the lessons he learned from a difficult missionary stint in Russia, his time as a youth leader in the Arizona desert, his marriage, and even a story his father read to him as a child, he shares his deep conviction that the only way you can find your life is to give it away to others.

©2014 Seth Adam Smith (P)2014 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"A brilliantly written and insightful book. Seth's vulnerability and honesty are irresistible - pulling you in and opening your heart to the possibility of a life without walls." (Michael J. Merchant, President, ANASAZI Foundation)

What listeners say about Your Life Isn't for You

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Introvets and extroverts

This is an awesome different perspective book for introverts and extroverts. I myself am a introvert and the book is written from a introverts perspective it really made me reflect on my life I honestly thought I was not a selfish person until this read

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Let down your walls

This audiobook has put into words something that I’ve always suspected, but could never fully understand. Your life isn’t for you. It’s for other people. Thats how we let light into our lives and the lives of others - by making each other’s lives as good as we can.

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Not just for only children

This audiobook is a gem. I’m so moved by it. Just finished it and plan to restart it right away. I love his literary references and I plan to read those as well. Wonderfully put together, encouraging, and within reach.

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Concise and beautifully written and narrated

I loved this book! The narration by the author is full of heart and very entertaining. The stories are well-crafted and inspiring, and the message is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you Seth Adam Smith for sharing your story and shining your light.

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Short read and to the point

I loved this book. It was a quick read. If you struggle with selfish ..this book can provide a few pointers. It doesn’t go into the reasons why one is selfish but goes into reasons why one shouldn’t be selfish.

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better than I could have expected

this book was excellent. touching, inspiring, and we'll read. it was better than I could have expected.

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Falls a bit short

It was more of a biography. It had good ideals, but I feel the subtitle doesn’t fit the book.

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Good listen, worth the cost of admission

Good listen. Succinct, to the point, and helpful. But no dramatic revelations here (no offense). If I may paraphrase the moral, feel better about yourself by focusing on others instead of yourself. It’s a worthwhile listen.

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