Life Lessons Bob Violino

I ended up choosing the book Life Lessons: How I’ve Learned to Embrace Gratitude, Positivity, Resilience, and Joy the same way I choose many other books— through a simple email that sparked my curiosity and invited me to look a little closer. What began as a brief message quickly became the start of a much deeper connection to the author’s story.

After reading Bob Violino’s email, I felt compelled to explore his work more fully. I found my way to his blog and spent time reading through several of his reflections, each one revealing a thoughtful and honest perspective on life. As I learned more about him, I discovered that his wife had donated a kidney to him. That extraordinary act of love, sacrifice, and generosity moved me deeply. It was impossible not to be touched by such devotion, and it inspired me to reach out and ask if he would be willing to share a copy of his book with me.

The book opens with something profoundly important: gratitude. I was immediately drawn in by his quote from Maya Angelou and by the fact that he keeps a gratitude journal—something I practice myself. This shared approach made the message feel personal and authentic, as if he were speaking from lived experience rather than theory.

Throughout the book, Bob centers his message on the power of self-talk and the importance of creating meaning from the extra chances life offers us. He gently guides the reader to notice the subtle habits and thought patterns that can sour our mood and quietly shape our outlook in negative ways. He also reminds us that personalization—taking everything to heart or assuming everything is about us—can become an emotional burden if we’re not mindful.

Across his 25 thoughtful chapters, these ideas continue to unfold with honesty and warmth, offering moments of reflection, insight, and encouragement. The book serves as a steady reminder to live with intention, to remain aware of our inner dialogue, and to approach life with gratitude, resilience, and joy—even in the face of unexpected challenges. Violino also provides links to many of the sources referenced.