Invitation to the Fire

RICHARD J. LEIDER

DAVID A. SHAPIRO

BERRETT-KOEHLER PUBLISHERS, INC.

San Francisco

Copyright © 2004. Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

 Leider, Richard.    Claiming your place at the fire : living the second half of your life on purpose / Richard J. Leider, David A. Shapiro.       p. cm. Includes index. 

ISBN 1-57675-297-6

1. Older people—Conduct of life. I. Shapiro, David A., 1957-. II. Title

BJ1691.L42 2004

158.1'084'4—dc22 2004047786

FIRST EDITION

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Text design by
Detta Penna

Copyediting by
Patricia Brewer

About the Authors

Richard J. Leider is a founding partner of The Inventure Group, a coaching and consulting firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota devoted to bringing out the natural potential in people. He is a nationally known writer, speaker, and career coach, and a pioneer in the field of Life/Work Planning. A National Certified Career Coach, he has been helping people to hear and heed their callings for more than 30 years. Author and co-author of five previous books, including the best-sellers Repacking Your Bags and The Power of Purpose, he is also an online columnist for Fast Company.

David A. Shapiro is a writer, philosopher, and educator who finds himself drawn again and again—both personally and professionally—to questions about the meaning and purpose of our lives. David is the Education Director of the Northwest Center for Philosophy for Children, a nonprofit organization that brings philosophy and philosophers into the lives of students in schools and community forums. He is also an instructor of philosophy at Cascadia Community College, where he works to foster philosophical dialogue among both students and faculty within a postsecondary school setting. David is the author of Choosing the Right Thing to Do: In Life, at Work, in Relationships, and for the Planet, and is delighted to have the opportunity to co-create again with his friend and mentor, Richard Leider, with whom he co-authored two other books, Repacking Your Bags: Lighten Your Load for the Rest of Your Life, and Whistle While You Work: Heeding Your Life's Calling. David lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife, Jennifer Dixon, and his daughter, Amelia.