Gordon Livingston
Gordon Livingston is a renowned psychiatrist, bestselling author, and respected public speaker, best known for his wise and heartfelt advice and his lasting contributions to mental health literature. His books, which include Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart; And Never Stop Dancing; and two of his most recent works: Leap of Perception and Enduring Grace, contain touching personal stories and the thoughtful insights of a practicing psychiatrist. Beyond the written word, Livingston is a breath of fresh air on the mental health lecture circuit, discussing the power of emotional resilience in a relatable and humorous way.
In Livingston’s work, he offers readers guidance on how to treat their feelings without judgement, understand why our emotional wellbeing is critical to success, and have patience as time proves to be our ally in reaching our desired destinations. His insight comes from his own life experience encountering difficulties and his background as a psychiatrist. Livingston’s writing is unique because he does not look to fix or offer false promises for a “quick fix” of the hard parts. Instead, he proffers stories and metaphors to open up conversations and provide the reader with understanding without overloading themselves with too much scientific information or clinical terms. For this reason, Gordon Livingston’s work is both accessible and thought-provoking.
Livingston’s first book, Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now, was published in 2005 and instantly became a bestseller. This short, but timeless work lays out thirty-five truths gathered during Livingston’s twenty-five years working as psychiatrist. Among the life lessons offered are “Don’t Worry about Silence”, “Accept Change” and “Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is Optional”. Livingston’s reflective stories serve as reminders of ways to stay in tune with oneself, look for silver linings, and keep expectations in check.
Livingston’s second book, And Never Stop Dancing: Thirty More True Things You Need to Know Now (2009), is a follow-up to his first book, examining thirty-five additional life truths that he has encountered during his ongoing journey. Drawing in part upon his experiences as an army medic during the Vietnam War, this book also looks to themes of ambition, regret and the essential quality of resilience. He positively emphasizes the importance of being able to adjust to life’s surprises, to allow your feelings to evolve and to make room to learn from your mistakes.
Two of Livingston’s more recent works, Leap of Perception (2014) and Enduring Grace (2015) expand upon the wisdom captured in his earlier books, grappling with life transforming experiences and spiritual awakening. In Leap of Perception, Livingston unfolds a concept of “living empathy”, a quality that enables us to be with our deepest sorrows without judgment. He sees this idea of empathy as being “at the very core of healing” and applies it to a wide range of circumstances, detailing how it can support us through both joyous and difficult times. Enduring Grace further weaves themes of spiritual and emotional healing, distilling decades of experience into a meditation on aging and adapting to the process of life.
In his talks and lectures, Livingston brings professionalism and warmth to his audience by “continuing each story in his books with another story”, which creates a gentle sense of reassurance and humor. By exploring such universal topics as patience, aging, communication, and resilience, he has provided readers a roadmap of how to approach life’s challenges in more meaningful and inspiring ways. Gordon Livingston is a respected voice in mental health literature whose meaningful legacy continues to resonate with readers of all ages.
