The Four Things That Matter: A Book About Living

The Four Things That Matter: A Book About Living

Four simple phrases — please forgive me; I forgive you; thank you; and I love you — carry enormous power to mend and nurture our relationships and inner lives.

by Ira Byock, M.D. — 

This 10th Anniversary Edition is newly updated with stories from people who have turned to this life-altering book in their time of need.

This motivational teaching about what really matters reminds us how we can honor each relationship every day.

Four simple phrases — please forgive me; I forgive you; thank you; and I love you — carry enormous power to mend and nurture our relationships and inner lives.

These phrases and the sentiments they convey provide a path to emotional well-being, guiding us through interpersonal difficulties to a life of integrity and grace.

Byock, an international leader in palliative care, explains how we can practice these life-affirming words in our day-to-day lives.

Too often we assume that the people we love really know that we love them, but Byock demonstrates the value of “stating the obvious” and provides practical insights into the benefits of letting go of old grudges and toxic emotions.

His stories help us to forgive, appreciate, love and celebrate one another, and live life more fully.

Using the four phrases in a wide range of life situations, we can experience emotional healing even in the wake of family strife, personal tragedy, divorce or in the face of death.

With practical wisdom and spiritual power, the book gives us the language and guidance to honor and experience what really matters most in our lives every day.

$24 hardcover — Atria Books, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 34, Number 3, June/July 2015.