We are doing a series at our church called The Limit.  It is about the dangers of living our lives to the limit, emotionally, financially, and with our schedules.  In preparing for this series I read this book.  Dr. Swenson took an interest a number of years ago in the number of patients he had whose health problems had nothing to do with germs or genetics.  He wanted to find a common denominator.  He quest led him to believe that what was missing from most all of the lives of these patients was what he calls margin.  Margin is that cushion we need between the resources we have available and the needs that we have.

Dr. Swenson does a great job at explaining how much of what we call progress has eroded the margin in our lives.  In fact, he points out that the countries that have the greatest number of labor saving devices have the least amount of margin in the lives of their people.   He shows how most of our progress has been in the areas of physical environment (technology, wealth) and most of our pain is related to our social and emotional environment.

Dr. Swenson gives some very pracitical steps for regaining margin.  Although he does not share much information about his personal life, what he does certainly indicates that he practices what he preaches.

The book was a huge help in preparing for my messages.  I would recommend it for those who are living to the limit.