LOL: Loving Our Lives By Living Our Loves

By Jonathan Stein

LOL is a common sense approach to improving your self and your life. There is no “secret” here but rather many perspectives and philosophies to set you on a path of evolution. Unlike other books in the genre, LOL knits wisdom from a myriad of backgrounds with anecdotal and worldly experience. You have a unique story to tell but it might be hidden among the blur of the masses. Jonathan Stein shares his unique life story to help you uncover your distinct life apart from the crowd. Humour mixed in the right amount keeps this profound book lighthearted.

If you are looking for a change in attitude, life, dreams or just are curious about what else is possible, LOL is for you. It was written for a wide range of people who might be experiencing challenges. Learn how to benefit from your past, appreciate the present and be excited for the future! Live and love life!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jan 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781483461809

Jonathan Stein

After service in Vietnam, Jonathan Stein graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Boston and pursued a career in the scrap iron business in Northeast Ohio. Upon retirement he attended the Breadloaf Writers’ Conference in Middlebury, Vermont. He lives on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Book preview

LOL

LOVING OUR LIVES BY

LIVING OUR LOVES

Jonathan Stein

Copyright © 2016 Jonathan Stein.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6181-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6180-9 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 12/2/2016

CONTENTS

Author’s Note

Acknowledgments

Introduction

SECTION 1

Chapter 1 The Past – Pause And Start Thinking

Chapter 2 The Importance of Forgiveness

Chapter 3 Learning and Mistakes

SECTION 2

Chapter 4 Enjoy the Present: Gratitude and Appreciation

Chapter 5 Seriously think about what makes you happy

Chapter 6 Try Something New

Chapter 7 Balance

SECTION 3

Chapter 8 What the Future Holds

Chapter 9 Following Through

Conclusion

Epilogue

DEDICATION

To my parents who gave me everything I needed and few things I did not need. Thank you so much for all your guidance.

LOL - LOVING OUR LIVES BY LIVING OUR LOVES

Are you tired of following in someone else’s footsteps? Do you keep telling yourself that one day, eventually, you will be happy once you have x, y, z in your life?

Our lives are in the present, be happy and live in the now. Read this book so you can start living your life, the way you want to, today!

Gandhi said, Be the change you want to see in the world. How contagious is a smile? Become a positive influence on those around you and help the world one step at a time. Although we each might only be a drop in the water no one knows how many ripples can we make.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Stein grew up in London, Ontario and has a Combined Honours degree in Philosophy and Spanish from McMaster University. He is currently living in Mexico teaching tennis at the best luxury resort in Cabo. He has lived in the Caribbean, Australia, Thailand, Costa Rica and traveled to over a dozen countries. Jonathan is passionate about teaching and helping others, believing they are capable of more than they think.

One example of this was Catherine Chan who came and stayed with him and his roommate for a week as a couch surfer. He only knew her through a friend of a friend. Something about the lifestyle Jon had, very different than hers in Hong Kong, inspired Catherine. They talked a lot about life - problems, passions and possibilities. Jon saw so much potential in her and said so. This trip was a crucial moment in her two-month expedition across Central America. Now she is a project manager of the Hong Kong Documentary Initiative, traveling with internationally renowned filmmaker and Oscar winner Ruby Yang. Here are a few words she left for him:

Thanks for everything. Can’t explain in words how grateful I am to meet you. You’ve never asked for anything in return. I hope one day I will see you again in a better version of myself. The moments we shared will continue to warm my heart. – Catherine Chan

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Many people have asked why I decided to write this book and what makes me an expert on the subject.

I decided to write on this subject because people keep asking me how I live the way I do and because I feel I can make a difference in their lives. I think I can help people take more pleasure in their lives and become better versions of themselves - whatever form that takes. I enjoy learning and teaching, the more I learn, the more I can teach. I wrote this book in the hopes that anyone who reads it will benefit in some way.

As to what makes me an expert in this area … nothing. I would not choose to use the term ‘expert’. I have an Honour’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Spanish. That’s a good start but hardly worthy of the term ‘expert’. More importantly, I have lived in 7 different countries and have gained valuable experience and perspectives in each country. When you travel you learn a lot about the world as well as yourself. Most importantly, I am practicing what I preach. I am living the life I want to and doing something I love. I am not theorizing from my ivory tower about what to do without ever having gone out into the world. I am doing it and then sharing my thoughts, successes and failures so that others can learn and take what they will from this book.

A lot of people tell me I’m living the dream. I thank them and tell them I’m living my life. It does not have to be a dream - you can make it a reality. It is not as hard as you might think or as difficult as a lot of people tell you. I am amazed at how few people opt for happiness. Yes, it is a choice. I hope to help you along this goal and journey. So although I cannot tell you I am an expert, I can tell you I am happy doing a job I love, am a positive influence on others, have no regrets and genuinely want to help.

I hope you read this book and can start living your life the way you want to!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Stein

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

There are many people I would like to thank for helping me write this. Most of these people probably did not know that they inspired me or that I was writing a book. Just by living their lives and being the great people they are helped me flourish in my own way which is something I want to provide for others. So instead of naming most and risk forgetting some I will play it safe and thank everybody who I am close with for general support in my projects and belief in me as a person.

Specifically I would like to thank Peter Burwash for creating a company that allowed tennis professionals to live abroad and pursue their interests outside of tennis as well as for the inspirational writing and speaking he has shared with me and many others. His words will always be with me There are only two things we can control in our lives; our attitude and our effort.

Outside of my immediate family I would also like to thank Carolynna Gabriel, Alex Ivanovic, Livia Mouffron, Rachel Burns, Aida Bustos, Wolfgang Louis Lombardi and Tim Rode for reading and providing their feedback. As well I would like to take the opportunity to thank Lulu publishing for all their help in making my ideas and writing become a reality and something tangible in the world!

Intro.jpg

INTRODUCTION

LOL is a guide to anyone who has ever felt trapped or lost while navigating the frequently choppy waters that are our lives. Regardless of if you are a teenager in high school, a recent university grad or have a successful career and a family - this book will help. We will look at our past, the present and what we can do regarding the future to set ourselves up to have a life we love. Some of the main topics discussed are: appreciation, attitude, balance, goals and personal development.

I do not know you personally so I cannot say exactly what is going to work for you. People are complicated creatures. You and I are different and