Tworkowski Jamie - If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For

Praise for If You Feel Too Much

Jamie loves people unlike anyone Ive ever met. He is also a humble guy and a faithful friend. Hes the one who has offered to come on my darkest day, to cry with me, and on my best day to celebrate. His brand of love is one without judgment, boundaries or pretense. This book gives you a wonderful glimpse at Jamies beautiful heart. Youre in for a treat.

B OB G OFF , New York Timesbestselling author of Love Does

Jamie is special. He is sincere and sensitive and kind. He has poured his heart into this book, and thats how he lives his life. I hope the honesty in Jamies story and experiences will help you to be honest in yours.

K YLE K ORVER , NBA All-Star

Through poignant self-reflection and stories that pulse with a poetic rawness, Jamie invites us to be part of a bigger conversation. Its one that leads to community, connection, healing and incredible hope.

D R . G EORGINA S MITH , clinical psychologist

With this book, you have Jamies heart in your hands. By honestly sharing his life, in joy and pain, he is teaching others how to do the same. If You Feel Too Much is Jamies guide to loving better and finding joy in being known.

J ASON R USSELL , co-founder of Invisible Children

Its impossible not to feel it deep in your guts when Jamie writes or speaks. His vivid honesty about the human condition always leaves me simultaneously inspired and feeling less alone. This book can only be summed up by using Jamies own wordsit truly is a living, breathing, screaming invitation to believe in better things.

K ELTIE K NIGHT , TV personality

There are people that say they care for others. And then there are those that do care. Then there is Jamie, who breathes love. This book is proof.

P ROPAGANDA , hip-hop artist and spoken word poet

When I first met Jamie, he struck me as someone on a mission. Through his sheer determination, he brought some difficult issues out of the shadows and helped so many people realize they were not alone. I believe this book will inspire others to do the same, to get help, and to chase their passion just as he has.

K EVIN L YMAN , founder and producer of the Vans Warped Tour

JEREMY P. TARCHER/PENGUIN

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Copyright 2015 by Jamie Tworkowski

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Tworkowski, Jamie.

If you feel too much : thoughts on things found and lost and hoped for / Jamie Tworkowski ; foreword by Donald Miller.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-698-40935-4

1. Tworkowski, Jamie. 2. Conduct of life. 3. LifePhilosophy. I. Title.

BJ1589.T96 2015 2015010647

170'.44dc23

Version_1

This book is dedicated to my parents, Joe and Janet, and to my sisters, Jessica and Emily.

MOM: Your love is a miracle in my life. Thank you for your constant encouragement. i hope this makes you proud.

DAD: You gave me surfing and music. You taught me road trips and t-shirts and even words as well. i wrote this on your shoulders.

JESS: Youre an anchor and a gift to so many. You are extraordinary when it comes to loving people. Thanks for all you have refused to give up on, including me.

EM : You are mystery and laughter, but beyond all that, you have a heart that sees so many things. i promise to let you name the next book.

AND TO DAVID KUO, WHO DIED BUT ALSO LIVED: What a joy it was to know you, and to be known by you. Thanks for what you saw in me. And thanks for giving me a glimpse.

Oscar Wilde said that art reveals more about the one who interprets the art than the artist herself. This may be true in the following memory of Jamie Tworkowski, a man who was particularly struck by a metal bird carrying the mantra Travel lightly and deeply. The bird is on a wall in our guest room. Few have paid those words any attention but Jamie; few live them out as he does.

Jamie, you are a deep river. You feel every bend and rock deeply. And yet, you are still floating through, still searching and looking. Still traveling light and deeply on a pilgrimage toward a hope that you have never seen. Im honored to walk beside you, bro. Thank you for your friendship. And until your river finds the sea... the bird room is yours whenever you need it.

Jon Foreman