101 Reasons to Live

Loretta Faith Harris
Children’s Heart Publishing (2011)
ISBN 9780978668174
Reviewed by Marissa Libbit for Reader Views (9/11)


“101 Reasons to Live” by Loretta Faith Harris is an interactive journal designed to help the reader to think about her purpose in life despite the ups and downs of everyday life.  The author states in the beginning, without being specific, that she has had many difficulties in life that she has overcome.  Her desire in life is to help others through tough times, too, and realize their purposes for living through self-reflection. 

The reasons are alphabetized, which makes organization streamlined.  There are two pages for writing one can use for each “reason for living.”  The one or two word reasons for living are used in sentences at the bottom of the first page to cause the readers to ponder the meaning for them.  The second journal page has a quote or question related to the reason.  For example, reason to live number 98, “Volunteer.  Volunteering your time is the best way to say, ‘I care.’  How much of your time is dedicated to helping others?”

I think the premise of this book is terrific- learning to rise above adversity by seeking the fulfillment of your destiny no matter what bumps life may give you.   The author’s heart is in the right place.  However, I was very confused throughout much of the book and had to go back and reread the premise and introduction.  The title is “101 Reasons to Live” and many of the reasons just didn’t seem to make sense to me.  For example, reason number 63, “Obey.  Be willing to obey the advice provided throughout life’s journey.  Obedience produces success.”  Whose advice am I to obey?  Friends?  Family?  God?  And what if it’s bad advice?  How does that make “Obey” a reason to live?  Another example is reason 45, “Have joy.  You made it this far.  The least you can do is have joy!  Are you living out each day filled with joy?”  My question is, what if a reader is reading this book because of the title, “101 Reasons to Live” and reads this reason, “Have joy.”  How does a person just “have joy” when they are really in the depths of despair?  That is way too simplistic.

I think that Ms. Harris has positive reasons for living, too, such as reason 91, “Teach” where she makes you question how you can teach someone else a life lesson you have learned (thus, using your own experiences to help others) and reason 94, “Travel” where she asks us to travel outside our comfort zone as we seek meaning for life. 

Overall “101 Reasons to Live” causes self-reflection upon the part of the reader to consider what her own reasons for living are.  I love the blank pages in the back that allow the reader to write down these personal reasons.  But titling the book “101 Reasons to Live” is a bit confusing as many reasons don’t seem to answer that question.  I saw the book more as moments of reflection that help to clarify the important things in life.

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