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TRAVELER’S GIFT, a book by Andy Andrews
Who (might have) said this?
1. The buck stops here: Adversity is preparation for greatness, (accept fault)
2. I will seek wisdom: I will choose my friends with care, (how select friends)
3. I am a person of action: I can make a decision and I can make it now, (do it)
4. I have a decided heart: My destiny is assured, (don’t give in)
5. Today I will choose to be happy; I am the possessor of a grateful heart, (smile)
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit: I will forgive myself, (forgive)
7. I will persist without exception: I will find way where there is no way. (exhaustion precurser to victory).
Answer
A. King Solomon
B. Harry Truman
C. Anne Frank
D. Abraham Lincoln
E. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain
F. Christopher Columbus
G. And the angel Gabriel
THE TRAVELER’S GIFT
(commentss from the internet Grady Harp, February 08, modifed by Dsr 6/2/2010)
1. Author Andy Andrews absolutely practices what he preaches.
a. His little ‘novel’ self-help book has become widely popular since its introduction to the mass market in 2002. And there is a reason why.
b. Aside from the personal biographical data that the author lived as a street person for a period in his life before he took charge and made changes in his philosophy that led to his rather startling success as a comedian, an advisor, an inspirational speaker, and an author, Andrews knows how to capture the attention of his audience, lead them through his concepts of the Seven Decisions the Determine Personal Success in the guise of a novel, and follows up his service to mankind with variations of his original platform.
c. Not only is Andy Andrews an inspirational writer, but he is also a successful marketer!
2. (From another review, here is a little negative about it.) It has several points in common with many other books in the self-help genre. On the plus side, if you study and follow the principles, you will probably benefit. On the downside, it is not especially original and it's not a book you would read for its literary qualities. This book also has a certain spiritual and political slant that will appeal to many readers but will alienate others.
3. The original book THE TRAVELER’S GIFT is well known . . (to some folks . .)
a. After David Ponder’s 'time travel' learning experience he wakes up and sees his world change because of the decisions he has made.
b. The author Andrews wisely does not make his issues a hard sell. He simply tells a story, one that may be a little on the fantasy side, and allows the reader to absorb and relate to the transformation that takes place.
c. It is very much to his credit that he does not preach in this book: Andrews shares in a warm and familiar friend manner and that makes a big difference!
d. Andy Andrews believes in these decisions and after reading his book, it is difficult not to buy into his smilingly warm philosophy.
e. Very succinctly, David Ponder is at the end of his rope financially, emotionally, and physically when he happens to have an auto accident, an event which triggers a time travel where he meets and gathers advice from several historical figures. Each of whom delivers him a message of how to enhance life.
1. King Solomon,
2. Harry Truman,
3. Anne Frank,
4. Abraham Lincoln,
5. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain,
6. Christopher Columbus,
7. And the angel Gabriel,
f. The seven decisions are
1) The buck stops here: Adversity is preparation for greatness, (accept fault)
2) I will seek wisdom: I will choose my friends with care, (how select friends)
3) I am a person of action: I can make a decision and I can make it now, (do it)
4) I have a decided heart: My destiny is assured, (don’t give in)
5) Today I will choose to be happy; I am the possessor of a grateful heart, (smile)
6) I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit: I will forgive myself, (forgive)
7) I will persist without exception: I will find way where there is no way. (exhaustion precurser to victory).
Abraham Lincoln . . what he night have said.
6) I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit: I will forgive myself
In the make believe world in THE TRAVELER’S GIFT, David asked Abraham Lincoln, What will you do (after the war) if . . . when you win? . . What will be your first priority?”
Abraham Lincoln (according to script in THE TRAVELER’S GIFT) answered, “That is rather an easy question to answer. . . . . . The first morning after all hostilities cease, I will greet the day with a forgiving spirit.” David then questions how he can do this, etc.
And later Lincoln says, again from the make believe script, “I cannot recall a single book, including the Holy Bible that says in order for you to forgive someone, he or she has to ask for it. . . Where is the rule written that before I forgive people, they have to deserve it? Where is it written that to be forgiven by me, you must have wronged me no more than three times? Or seven? Or Seventeen?”
I want to read for you what the author says in his make believe world that Lincoln wrote for David. But first I want you to hear from a book by Doris Kearns Goodwin titled Team of Rivals, the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. It quotes Lincoln in March 1932 as he ran for one of his first offices, “Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition, is yet to be developed.” Do you think he stuck with this during his life?
Reading from THE TRAVELER'S GIFT page 138-140 follows on next page: Make believe of what Lincoln said;
· For too long, every ounce of forgiveness I owned was locked away, hidden from view, waiting for me to bestow its precious presence upon some worthy person. Alas, I found most people to be singularly unworthy of my valuable forgiveness, and since they never asked for any, I kept it all for myself. Now, the forgiveness that I hoarded has spouted inside my heart like a crippled seed yielding bitter fruit.
· No more! At this moment, my life has taken on new hope and assurance. Of all the world’s population, I am one of the few possessors of the secret to dissipating anger and resentment. I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. By the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the past about which I can do nothing, and I create in myself a new heart, a new beginning.
· I will greet each day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness.
· Many are the times when I have seethed in anger at word or deed thrown into my life by an unthinking or uncaring person. I have wasted valuable hours imagining revenge or confrontation. Now I see the truth revealed about this psychological rock inside my shoe. The rage I nurture is often one-sided, for my offender seldom gives thought to his offense!
· I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it. By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I give up my bitterness. I am content in my soul and effective again with my fellowman.
· I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly.
· Knowing that slavery in any form is wrong, I also know that the person who lives a life according to the opinion of others is a slave.
· I am not a slave. I have chosen my counsel. I know the difference between right and wrong. I know what is best for the future of my family, and neither misguided opinion nor unjust criticism will alter my course. Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called. I forgive their lack of vision, and I forge ahead. I now know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity.
· I will greet each day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.
· For many years, my greatest enemy has been myself. Every mistake, every miscalculation, every stumble I made has been replayed again and again in my mind. Every broken promise, every day wasted, every goal not reached has compounded the disgust I feel for the lack of achievement in my life. My dismay has developed a paralyzing grip. When I disappoint myself, I respond with inaction and become more disappointed.
· I realize today that it is impossible to fight an enemy living in my head. By forgiving myself, I erase the doubts, fears, and frustration that have kept my past in the present. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun.
· I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. I will forgive my self.
· I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.
Reading from THE TRAVELER'S GIFT page 138-140 : Make believe of what Lincoln said;
§ For too long, every ounce of forgiveness I owned was locked away, hidden from view, waiting for me to bestow its precious presence upon some worthy person. Alas, I found most people to be singularly unworthy of my valuable forgiveness, and since they never asked for any, I kept it all for myself. Now, the forgiveness that I hoarded has spouted inside my heart like a crippled seed yielding bitter fruit.
§ No more! At this moment, my life has taken on new hope and assurance. Of all the world’s population, I am one of the few possessors of the secret to dissipating anger and resentment. I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. By the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the past about which I can do nothing, and I create in myself a new heart, a new beginning.
§ I will greet each day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness.
§ Many are the times when I have seethed in anger at word or deed thrown into my life by an unthinking or uncaring person. I have wasted valuable hours imagining revenge or confrontation. Now I see the truth revealed about this psychological rock inside my shoe. The rage I nurture is often one-sided, for my offender seldom gives thought to his offense!
§ I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it. By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I give up my bitterness. I am content in my soul and effective again with my fellowman.
§ I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly.
§ Knowing that slavery in any form is wrong, I also know that the person who lives a life according to the opinion of others is a slave. I am not a slave. I have chosen my counsel. I know the difference between right and wrong. I know what is best for the future of my family, and neither misguided opinion nor unjust criticism will alter my course.
§ Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called. I forgive their lack of vision, and I forge ahead. I now know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity.
§ I will greet each day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.
§ For many years, my greatest enemy has been myself. Every mistake, every miscalculation, every stumble I made has been replayed again and again in my mind. Every broken promise, every day wasted, every goal not reached has compounded the disgust I feel for the lack of achievement in my life. My dismay has developed a paralyzing grip. When I disappoint myself, I respond with inaction and become more disappointed.
§ I realize today that it is impossible to fight an enemy living in my head. By forgiving myself, I erase the doubts, fears, and frustration that have kept my past in the present. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun.
§ I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. I will forgive my self.
§ I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.
In reading what Abraham Lincoln might have said, I am struck by the point he made that to give forgiveness, it does not have to be asked for. Also, I am wondering if it is not as important to forgive in a way that the person believes is sincere and heals both some. The old "no problem" does not do it for me. Even the "that's ok" seem insufficient for something of real concern. What do you think?
To often we are taught that the one seeking forgiveness must promise not to do again, tell how he might be better, etc or the one forgiving might not need to forgive. Even Jesus hinted at being conditional in advising as we seek forgiveness "as we forgive others. ." dsr
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1. The buck stops here: Adversity is preparation for greatness, (accept fault)
2. I will seek wisdom: I will choose my friends with care, (how select friends)
3. I am a person of action: I can make a decision and I can make it now, (do it)
4. I have a decided heart: My destiny is assured, (don’t give in)
5. Today I will choose to be happy; I am the possessor of a grateful heart, (smile)
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit: I will forgive myself, (forgive)
7. I will persist without exception: I will find way where there is no way. (exhaustion precurser to victory).
Answer
A. King Solomon
B. Harry Truman
C. Anne Frank
D. Abraham Lincoln
E. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain
F. Christopher Columbus
G. And the angel Gabriel
from the internet Grady Harp, February 08, modifed by Dsr 6/2/2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
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