"No one is immune to death. And no one who reads this will be immune to the charm - and power - of Colin Bird's wise and wildly original "how-to" for those who find themselves face-to-face with the great inevitable, DEATH: WHAT NOT TO SAY. Think Paulo Coelho, if Coelho ever had to sleep in his car, or make his living as a Nursing Home Chaplain. Colin Bird's brand of street-level pragmatism on matters of compassion and mortality is as massively refreshing as it is on-the-ground useful for anyone trying to be there for suffering friends and loved ones. They should pass this book out in hospitals and funeral homes, or stick in hotel nightstands instead of bibles. It's a lot more useful - and a much better read. DEATH: WHAT NOT TO SAY is a fearless, heartfelt, and utterly invaluable handbook for anyone who isn't dead, but knows a few people who are - or are about to be." -Jerry Stahl, Screenwriter and LA Times bestselling author: I, Fatty; Permanent Midnight "Colin Bird serves up his own brand of commentary in DEATH: What Not To Say. Supremely witty yet cuttingly honest, a richly worded yarn from a man that's seen the losing side of life and ran from it. Couldn't put it down." -Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathoner and New York Times bestselling author "As a licensed therapist for 16 years I've seen a lot of grieving souls. Grief is no respecter of persons. It touches everyone. And it's relentless. People die and we can't stop it. People grieve and we can't stop it. But stopping it isn't really the goal, loving through it is. That's the message of Colin Bird's book, "Death: What Not to Say". There are a myriad of books on grief written by professionals. We know what to say and what not to say. We know what to expect, how to listen well, and why honoring someone's grief is so delicate and crucial. We've had lots of practice. But approaching a Griever well is just not easily taught. We professionals were beginners once. True proficiency has come from trial and error. And honestly, grief filling up my living room is different from grief sitting in my office... so very different. Not because of the grief, but the relationship between me and the Griever. That's one of the reasons I love this book. Written in the style of an artist, "Death: What Not to Say" is a conversation with a man who has experienced pain, excruciating, life-altering, soul-searching pain. Not just his, but others'. He's walked his own grief journey and accompanied others on theirs. Filled with stories that raise your ire, melt your heart, and convict you to the core, Colin's words are raw, real and refreshing. Hopefully, readers will never look at a Grieving person the same. And if they follow these basic steps, they will truly approach with confidence." -Carrie P Bussmann, LCPC Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor; Owner/Director Truth in Love Counseling, Normal IL "A wake up call intent on forcing the "helpers" to grow up. This work is something long overdue. PAY ATTENTION to the wisdom found in this bright young genius. Take notes. Trust me on this... THERE WILL BE A TEST." -Geoff Thurman, DOVE Award-winning Singer/Songwriter, Pastor, Counselor "What you get is an unexpected, rich and fun (yes, you read that right) celebration of life. It seems that Colin Bird was bathed into the kind of holy water that makes people natural healers. The kind who knows that deepest truth, but doesn't preach it, he shares it." -Simone Bartesaghi, Professor UCLA, Director, Writer, Author of The Director's Six Senses
Colin Bird is a former Nursing Home Chaplain with Christian Homes Inc., covering both the greater Illinois and Missouri area. Bird was also honored to serve as a State wide IL, pulpit supply preacher, along with time spent as a guest lecturer and speaker at Universities, churches, corporate in-home nursing seminars, teen and youth conferences and other such regional events. His focus topics have covered a wide array of issues from coping with grief and assisting others coping with grief; motivational speeches in family-focused group settings; overcoming obstacles with discipline and courage; weight loss and endurance running. Bird also instructs on the craft of public speaking. A few of his selected poems have been published nationally with as well, newspaper humor columns and generalized reporting. After graduating from The Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood, CA, Bird was fortunate to garner work in the heart of the studio system at Paramount Pictures. Bird is currently, alongside his strong band of talented, hardworking peers, creating projects for television and film while finding alone time to adventure and to explore. Bird is an avid runner with many more miles to go. Mostly because he is also an avid eater, which should explain the former. He resides in Hollywood, CA.
