Includes bibliographical references (pages 331-338) and index.

Introduction: The life story project. What happens when our fairy tales go awry -- The shape of your life. Farewell to the linear life ; Embracing the nonlinear life ; Lifequakes ; The ABCs of meaning ; Shape-shifting ; Learning to dance in the rain -- Reshaping your life. Accept it ; Mark it ; Shed it ; Create it ; Share it ; Launch it ; Tell it -- Conclusion: In between dreams. The secrets of successful transitions.

" What began organically, radiating out from family and friends, became more ambitious and rigorous, until he gathered 225 extended life stories from all 50 states in what he called The Life Story Project. As Bruce sifted through and coded the themes of his interviews, powerful and pressing patterns emerged. We are living our lives out of order--the midlife crisis, for one, thing, is a big myth. We do think of our lives as having a shape. The old linear model of life has been replaced by what he calls the nonlinear life. This nonlinear life involves being bombarded more life transitions. Feiler draws on an extraordinary well of insight from his interviewees and offers powerful new tools for navigating the growing number of life transitions we all face. His is a book that can move readers of any age and any life moment to think deeply about how their story serves them and how it can serve them better."--Provided by publisher.