Little Me Can Live a Big Life

About the Book

One of the author’s favorite New Yorker cartoons depicts Charles Dickens discussing his manuscript with an editor. The editor is saying, “I wish you would make up your mind, Mr. Dickens. Was it the best of times or the worst of times? It could scarcely have been both.” This humorous message captures the concrete, “either-or” thinking that can cause a person to get stuck while on his or her journey towards living a bigger life.

Peter Allman has written a unique, compelling, yet simple collection of paradoxes that invite the reader to unlock the mystery of living a bigger life that includes the “both-and” thinking of paradoxes. This book helps the reader to integrate paradoxical truths.

Each chapter is drawn from the author’s personal experiences as a psychotherapist, adjunct professor of undergraduate and graduate psychology classes, sought-after public speaker, co-founder and president of a non-profit, after-school center for disadvantaged adolescents, husband, and father.

“The Western mind and the left brain have ignored much of the depth of true spirituality--by ignoring its invariably paradoxical character. Peter Allman does an immense service by holding and yet revealing great paradoxes in a very creative tension. This book could change the way you hear spiritual texts and teachers, and the way you will grow from now on!”

―Richard Rohr, O.F.M., author of Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer

About the Author

Author Biography Peter Allman has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. He has fifteen years of experience counseling adolescents, adults, and families. Based upon his volunteer experience at Covenant House in New York City, in 1990 he co-founded Lighthouse—a non-profit, after-school facility for teens who are at-risk for many unhealthy behaviors. Along with his work with the Lighthouse youth, he is president of the board of directors. Peter also is an adjunct professor of psychology for Doane College. He teaches a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Peter has been recognized for his community leadership by a variety of organizations. He has received Goodwill’s Individual Community Service Award, The Lincoln Journal Star’s People’s Choice Award, Aksarben’s Ike Friedman Community Leadership Award, and the Lincoln Board of Realtor’s Bradley L. Cada Youth Safety Award. Peter is married, and he and his wife have two children.