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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Tell Me More summary
Kelly Corrigan
Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say
17 mins
Brief summary
Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan is a memoir that explores the power of the right words at the right time. Corrigan shares personal stories that offer insights on the importance of communication and vulnerability, inspiring readers to connect more deeply with themselves and others.
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Tell Me More
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Key idea 1 of 6
When everything goes wrong, all we can do is accept that it’s “just like this.”
One day, Kelly Corrigan’s life fell apart – or rather, she fell apart. Her father Greenie had died of cancer three months earlier, and the grief had become overwhelming. Everything left a sour taste in her mouth.
It was a regular morning in the Corrigan household. Kelly woke, as usual, to the smell of her husband Edward making himself bacon. But by the time she’d put her slippers on, her blood pressure had already spiked. The phone was ringing and no one was picking up. Edward couldn’t hear it and their two kids – 14-year-old Claire and 16-year-old Georgia – were busy fighting in the hallway.
Kelly felt a wave of resentment as she realized she’d have to sort the girls out. Edward adopted the laissez-faire “let them fight” attitude that he’d come across in the only parenting book he’d read, which suited him down to the bone. At this moment, Kelly didn’t recall that she’d actually fallen in love with “Easy Ed.” Today, it only occurred to her that this was another brawl he’d miss, leaving her to deal with the fallout once again.
By the time everyone was ready to leave the house, Kelly was close to exploding. Surveying the kitchen, she saw slimy eggshells on the counter and clumps of the family dog’s fur under the table. She hadn’t even taken a sip of coffee, and there was Edward, shaven, showered, fed and ready for work. The fact that he was about to leave her to stew in spitefulness just made things worse.
Alone, she reflected on what had happened. She loved her family more than anything, and she hated the idea of becoming a nagging, self-pitying sourpuss that her husband couldn’t wait to get away from in the morning. What had gone wrong?
That’s when Kelly remembered the motto of her meditation teacher – sometimes, it’s “just like this.” Life can suck. When it does, we lose our bearings and become disoriented and irritable. Deep down, we know our rage is futile – no one, after all, really believes that berating the gods will bring back a parent or make stretch marks disappear. But that doesn’t stop us from falling into the trap that Kelly found herself in that day. All we can do is accept our current circumstances and weather the storm.
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What is Tell Me More about?
Tell Me More (2019) is a meditation on the phrases that allow us to express love and connect with others. Built around a series of intimate personal essays, Kelly Corrigan’s study of life’s many frustrations and joys cements her critical reputation as a “poet laureate of the ordinary.” Unflinchingly honest and often downright hilarious, Corrigan’s reflections are an endlessly thought-provoking exploration of the meaning of death, friendship, parenthood and, above all, love.
Tell Me More Review
Tell Me More (2018) by Kelly Corrigan is a heartfelt exploration of human connection and the power of words. Here's what makes this book worth reading:
- By sharing personal stories and experiences, Corrigan tackles universal themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and empathy, resonating with readers on a deep emotional level.
- The book encourages meaningful conversations through its thought-provoking questions and prompts, helping us connect with others on a deeper level and fostering stronger relationships.
- Through her conversational and relatable writing style, Corrigan creates a warm and intimate reading experience, reminding us of our shared humanity and the importance of truly listening to one another.
Best quote from Tell Me More
Being in our lives as they are is probably one of the most common struggles people have going back thousands of years.
—Kelly Corrigan
Who should read Tell Me More?
- New parents wondering what’s in store for them
- Anyone who’s lost a loved one
- The philosophically minded
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Tell Me More FAQs
What is the main message of Tell Me More?
The main message of Tell Me More is the power of embracing difficult conversations and finding true connection through open and honest communication.
How long does it take to read Tell Me More?
The reading time for Tell Me More varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Tell Me More a good book? Is it worth reading?
Tell Me More is worth reading because it offers valuable insights into navigating challenging conversations and promoting deeper connections in all aspects of life.
Who is the author of Tell Me More?
Kelly Corrigan is the author of Tell Me More.
What to read after Tell Me More?
If you're wondering what to read next after Tell Me More, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Art of Reading Minds by Henrik Fexeus
- Say It Well by Terry Szuplat
- Getting The Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
- Why is Sex Fun? by Jared Diamond
- A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
- On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton
- The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
- Four Ways of Thinking by David Sumpter