12 Life-Giving Habits

My name is Kevin Klein, but everyone calls me Doc, not because I am a physician, but because of my colorful past in the great out-of-doors. For over forty years, I have dedicated my life to helping people and communities reach their highest potential. Much of that time has involved working with Outward Bound as an instructor, course director, program manager, and eventually as the Director of the Kurt Hahn Leadership Center. In addition, my work as a consultant with schools/colleges, health agencies, businesses, and social communities has given me deep experience and insights in how change really happens on the ground level. One of my methods for engaging people is through poetry and photography. This taps into a heart-centered approach that allows people to move beyond the intellectual to look at and change the behaviors and habits that do not serve them. In 2009, I read A Year to Live by Stephen Levine. This book challenged me to live as if I only had one year left on earth. As part of this mindfulness exercise, I chose my last day and lived as if I only had a year left. During this year, I took off two weeks each month for twelve months and climbed fifty mountains with fifty friends. It was truly one of the best years of my life. After completing my year to live exercise, I ended up in the hospital with a rare heart virus and almost died. Miraculously, I survived and began dedicating myself to helping others experience an Amazing Year. Part of my research over the years was to help unravel the mysteries of why Outward Bound courses are so powerful. After hundreds of interviews with instructors and students, I wrote this book. It is a small book with a big invitation to experience your best year ever using Outward Bound as a launching pad. Many students I talked with struggled with applying the lessons of their course back in their real world. I hope that this book and our work together can build stronger more vibrant communities that truly thrive and flourish.