AceShowbiz - Kathie Lee Gifford, long known for her roles on "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" and the "Today" show, returns to the public eye with her latest book, "I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste". This comes as a follow-up to her best-selling work, "It's Never Too Late: Make the Next Act of Your Life the Best Act of Your Life".

In a candid conversation with PEOPLE, Gifford expressed concern about the growing prevalence of cruelty in our society, a stark contrast to her upbringing where "cruelty was rare." Reflecting on the current state of the world, Gifford remarked that "what's rare are stories about kindness. We've got everything wrong now. We've got to get it back to what's truly important."

Gifford's book seeks to inspire readers to reflect on their lives and prioritize what truly matters. Described as a "sweet little book" filled with bite-sized stories and meditation prompts, Gifford hopes it will be a source of blessing and introspection for readers, especially during life transitions like graduation. "You can read literally one [story] a day for 60 days and come away thinking about what's most important in life really."

Her advice, grounded in the teachings of her late father, emphasizes passion over success, "Find something you love to do and then figure out a way to get paid for it." This golden nugget of wisdom has shaped Gifford's career and life, reinforcing the values of kindness and respect. She recalls being praised for treating everyone on set with equal respect, a testament to the upbringing her father championed.

Beyond professional advice, Gifford also cherishes her role as a grandmother. Sharing heartwarming anecdotes about her grandchildren, she describes the joy and fulfillment of family life. This new phase of her life brings profound happiness, seeing her children excel as loving parents and life partners.