Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart by Gordon Livingston, M.D.

Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart by Gordon Livingston, M.D.

The book is cute, small, and almost invites you to read it just by looking at it. What struck me off the bat is that Dr. Livingston lives in Columbia, MD which means he’s a local to me. Overall, I found his writing dry however I do like the idea of using a chapter for each 30 pieces of advice he has to share. His experience as a psychiatrist is highly evident in his writing style and I would advise anyone who wants to be a psychiatrist or counselor…to read this book. Dry writing or not, I found myself with pages of quotes that I wrote down in my journal which to me..is a sign of a good motivational and inspirational book. Dr. Livingston offers a lot of sound advice that is based in psychological theory.

“Past behavior is the most reliable predictor of future behavior.”

“The 3 components of happiness are something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.”

“If you love someone, would you take a bullet for them?”

“Love is demonstrated behaviorally.”

“Feelings of love or lack thereof are noticeable in all the mundane ways we show that someone matters to us, especially in the amount and quality of the time we are willing to give them.”

“We are entitled to receive only that which we are prepared to give.”

“Most of our dissatisfaction with others reflect limitations in ourselves.”

“Criticism begets anger and unhappiness.”

“While it takes 2 people to create a relationships, it only takes one to end it.”

“The statue of limitations has expired on most of our childhood traumas.”

“Does difficult and impossible mean the same thing to you?”

“What is the biggest chance you have taken?”

“No one would expect to become good at skiing without falling down. And yet many people are surprised at the hurt that routinely accompanies our efforts to find someone worthy of our love.”

“Everything we are afraid to try, all our unfulfilled dreams, constitute a limitation on what we are and could become.”

“You must take concrete steps to change your life.”

“People mistake thoughts, wishes, and intentions for actual change.”

“The only communication that can be trusted is behavior.”

“The most confusing thing that people tell you is I LOVE YOU. Without being supported by consistent loving behavior, this is a lie or a promise unlikely to be fulfilled.”

WISE OWL INDEX: 3