Stories of Life: The Nature, Formation, and Consequences of Character

Heresy comes from a Greek word meaning "to choose." Heresy is often the path of those who choose the road less traveled. Davidson claims that heresy is about the only place where the holy spirit can be found. The religion of the priests is almost always orthodox. The religion of the prophets is always heretical, choosing better stories and more demanding paths. It's the only religion worthy of the name, Davidson says. Character refers to our basic style of being and behaving. We're born with much of it, while early experiences, influences, and mentors help shape the rest. Focusing on the nature, formation, and consequences of character, Davidson Loehr presents a witty, poignant, and brilliant book that has been described as "mesmerizing," "captivating," and "life-changing." The book was designed to help the reader look closely at deep styles in his or her own character and question them. In frequent YOUR TURN sections, the many colorful stories of Davidson's unusual life are used as windows on the reader's own life and soul, providing a chance to know oneself and one's character more intimately, and inviting the reader to find the influences, mentors, negative experiences and people, etc. who helped or hindered the formation of their own character. The heart of any real religion-and of this book-is to answer our two most fundamental existential questions: Who, at my best, am I? and, How should I live so that when I look back I can be glad I lived that way?