Begging

Someone likes to beg for food...

12 Things you should never tolerate

From pickthebrain.com 

1. Unhappiness at work.

You spend nearly half of your life at your job. If you are unhappy, do you really want to give away that much of your life? Think of the impact it has on your emotional well-being, your health, and your relationships. Think of the opportunities missed for doing something that you love, that is fulfilling. Don’t settle for living this way forever. Find a job that you love. Get more education if necessary. At the least, make changes within your current job to lessen your unhappiness.

2. A Long Commute.

A long commute to work by car or public transportation is stressful and empty. Hours in a vehicle adds up to days, months, years wasted in traveling when you could be doing and living. Find a job closer to home, or move closer to your job. Whatever your reason is for this commute, is it really worth the lost time?

3. An Unhealthy Lifestyle.

Are you overweight? Do you smoke? Are you sedentary? Do you eat junk? Do you abuse alcohol or other substances? An unhealthy lifestyle leads to an unhappy life. If you feel bad and look bad, you can’t enjoy life. This is your one and only life, and your body is your sacred garment. Take care of it now.

4. Draining Relationships.

If there are people in your life who are abusive, demeaning, angry, hurtful, not supportive, unethical, or crazy, it is time to let them go. You may have your reasons for hanging on, but do these reasons really outweigh the negative impact they have on your life? At the very least, find ways to cut back on interactions with these people.

5. A Disordered Living Space.

How you live is a reflection of who you are. You don’t need to live in a mansion with lots of stuff, but your living space should reflect the joy, order, and peace you want in your life. It should be clean, orderly, and have some expressions of beauty and warmth. It should feel welcoming to you and to guests in your home.

6. Negativity.

It is around us all the time, invading our minds like termites. We hear and see negative ideas and images on the news. Our friends and associates share their negative stories or reactions to life events. We hear negative lyrics in songs or watch violence and abuse in movies or on TV. Before we know it, we feel negative and depressed about our lives. Turn it off. Walk away. Stop listening. Instead watch, read, and listen to uplifting and positive ideas and information.

7. Too Much Stuff.

Over the years, we accumulate. We like to buy things. We like to have things. But these things require our time, energy, money, and effort. They lose their shine and we lose our interest. They become a burden — something we have to dust rather than enjoy. Get rid of this stuff and free up time and energy in your life.

8. Financial Problems.

The stress and emotional pain caused by financial problems steals your joy and peace in life. Whatever you are doing now or did in the past to cause the problem, do something about it now. Yes, some financial difficulties are unavoidable, but do whatever you can to lessen the stress, even if it means delivering pizzas for a while. If you are over-spending, stop. Sell some things. Very few “things” are worth the stress of money worries.

9. Living Out of Your Integrity.

Are you living in alignment with your values? Are you being true to yourself? Do you need to apologize for something or ask for forgiveness? When you are living outside of your integrity, it causes a disruption in your soul and your psyche. It drains your energy, fosters guilt, and saps your self-esteem. Get right with yourself and with others.

10. Living Without Fun.

If you life is all duty and work (even if the work is enjoyable), you are living out-of-balance.Fun and relaxation are necessary ingredients for a full and joyful life. By removing some of the other stresses from your life, you can make room for pleasurable activities, travel, and entertainment. The world is your beautiful oyster meant to be enjoyed.

11. Accepting Ignorance and Inertia.

We use both of these as excuses not to do something. We talk ourselves into our own inability to accomplish or change because we are afraid. We are afraid it will be hard, we are afraid we might fail, we are afraid it won’t work. You and everyone else knows these are just excuses to avoid. Don’t accept them anymore. Stretch yourself.

12. Lack of Communication.

In every single relationship you have, especially your primary relationship, healthy communication is essential to your life happiness. We you aren’t communicating properly with someone, you feel anxious, angry, frustrated, and helpless. Open, honest, loving communication is the number one ingredient for successful relationships. If you don’t know how to communicate in a healthy way, then learn how to and begin to implement these skills.

Plans for the basement: A Book Nook! :)

Book Critique: Who Moved My Cheese?

Johnson, Spencer. Who Moved My Cheese?  New York: G.P. Putnum’s Sons, 1999.

Summary

            Johnson’s short story, Who Moved My Cheese is a simple, yet effective metaphor for modern society and the work force.  In his story he uses simple characters of two mice (Sniff and Scurry), and two “little people” (Hem and Haw), to represent the various personalities we all possess. Some of us may identify more closely with one character than the others, but one common characteristic is that we all possess a want or desire in life: our cheese.  In the story, all four characters search through the maze and find their cheese and are happy with it.  Then, as conditions change the cheese disappears, causing the characters to react in different ways.  Sniff and Scurry instantly adapt, search for new cheese, and find it in another part of the maze.  Sniff and Scurry represent the fearful, overanalyzing characters who resist change and demand that the conditions return to “normal.”  As Hem and Haw remain in the current location, Haw slowly begins to “see the Writings on the Wall” and slowly adapts and overcomes his fear.  Hem, on the other hand, remains fearful and resistant to change.  In the end, Haw learns that change needs to be anticipated and even expected; that we must overcome our fear of change; and that we must adapt to change, following our cheese or searching for new cheese.  It is more than a story of finding success, it is a story about finding success in an era of constant change.

Critique

            It’s interesting that Johnson’s Who Moved My Cheese is the last reading I complete for this class, the shortest reading I completed, and the most beneficial.  My three previous readings were somewhat helpful, but really did not hit home.  This story, which only took around an hour to read, could not have come at a more appropriate time in my life.  The characters of the story fit so perfectly with the various personalities in society.  I think to all the changes occurring currently in education, especially in my own school, and I can clearly identify the “Hems, the Haws, and the Sniff and Scurrys”.  This past week at a critical faculty meeting, I heard the Hems yelling at our principal when she explained enormous changes that are to come at our school.  The words I heard from these people were, “What about my benefits?” and “That’s not what I am entitled to!” phrases identical to those used by Hem in the story.  It was fascinating.  As the story progressed I clearly began to identify myself with Haw, resistant to change at first, but who slowly read the writings on the wall, leading him to new cheese.  Although, Haw was not vigilant of change that was occurring to cheese, I have been aware of changes occurring in our field.  I consider myself well anticipated for the changes that are unfolding, yet I do possess some of that same fear as Haw. I see that my cheese may be moved, but I have been scared to look at other schools, comfortable with where I am.  I see other jobs opening up, but I choose not to look in case my cheese doesn’t move.  But just as Johnson suggests, I need to “smell my cheese often so I know when it is getting old” and remain vigilant, keeping my options open.  This small story has helped me realize that in a field such as education, my cheese will CONSTANTLY be moved, and I must therefore never consider myself “comfortable.”  I am going to recommend this book to our entire faculty in hopes that some of the Hems and Haws at my school will embrace the change and “keep moving with the cheese.”        

Royal Wedding

Why was my DVR recording from 4 am- 10 am....Why was I 20 minutes late to work this morning?
Royal Wedding!!!!!

Happy Wedding Day, Prince William!




I still love the images of William as a boy with his mother...

7.

Can't I go back to when I was 7? When the only thing medically wrong with me was that I was nearsighted with huge dorky glasses. When the only thing I was getting in trouble for was for sneaking chocolate chips from the drawer? When my biggest worry was if I was going to miss Aladdin. When I could wear my princess dress all day. When the only money problems were in the board game of Life. I miss 7.


Maybe in a few days I will want to be 24 again. But for now, I want to be 7 again. 

Playing With Her Prey

Another great Roxy story:


A mammoth fly was zooming around the house. Roxy heard it and began hunting it. She finally cornered him at the screen door and then paws and nose- she trapped him and got him! She caught him in her mouth, and then ran down to the basement. A few minutes later I could hear her running back and forth. She was tossing the fly into the air and catching it. Playing with her prey. I couldn't decide whether to be proud or mortified.

Did I teach her that?

Roxy funny: I gave her a little basket to keep all her toys in last week. Today she was tossing her squeaky ball around, catches it in midair, then walks over to the basket PUTS THE SQUEAKY BALL BACK IN THE BASKET, and picks up a different toy! Such a neat puppy! Now, if I can pull that off with our children, life will be good.  I love my Roxy so much, but this has just increased my love for her :) 

Roxy, an empathetic dog

So I decided that since I have no cute baby or pregnancy stories, I am going to post about the closest thing I have to a baby now: my Roxy.  


Today Miss Roxstar did something so adorable.  I was flipping through the TV and turned to Animal Planet.  "It's Me or the Dog" was on and I usually learn a good tip or two from it, so I watched a few minutes.  A Long Island family had a hyperactive dog who struggled with new places.  They took the dog to some play area and the poor thing was lost and confused and running around hyper-ventilating.  So the dog is whining, and Roxy instantly perks up her head from the couch.  Her little ears are bolt upright and she jumps off the couch and runs towards the TV.  Matt and I both just gape at each other; she's never done that before.  She is inches from the TV and is whining too; she is sad for the dog on the TV that is whining!  So sweet! 
Matt had to call her back from the TV as he was worried she might jump at it.  Silly boys and their TVs- I was just worried about my poor puppy getting distressed at the dog on TV!  She is such a caring little pup :) 


Side note:  Roxy hasn't been herself for weeks, due to infections in her paws, etc.  But this past Monday we got tactic dip and antibiotics from the vets and VOILA! our energetic playful girl is back! :)  Suddenly on Tuesday she was running around and jumping off furniture trying to get us to play.  We looked at each other and just smiled as the Roxy we know and love had been gone for almost and month, and now she is back.  


Thank the Lord for our vet.  We love our puppy!  :) 

Running adventures.

hilarious. My GPS watch was dead, so I ran to the park so I could use the loop to measure my distance.  Child #1 that stops me is holding out a box, "Do you want to buy a cookie for my school?" "Uh, sorry bud I dont have any money on me." At the top of the hill, child #2 is walking towards me screaming something and pointing. I turn down my Ipod and he's screaming, "DEAD FISH! DEAD FISH!" ok....thanks?  I love kids. 

Book Critique- Tribes by Seth Godin

Godin, Seth. Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us. New York, New York: Penguin Group, 2008.

Summary

            Seth Godin’s Tribes is a motivational speech in paper format.  In short spurts, he attempts to motivate the reader to be a leader.  He thoroughly defines what a tribe is, and further explains that tribes will not exist without a leader.  He then describes, using examples of successful business leaders, how to begin your own tribe and lead it. Godin tells us that must people do not become leaders not because they cannot, but because they are too afraid to take the first leap.  He explains that leaders must not only be unafraid of failure, but also to except and welcome it. He presses the importance of having followers when you are leading, and details the importance of and strategies to maintain your followers and fan base.  One of the most beneficial things he outlines is that in order to become leaders, we must stop following. He says that we cannot always do exactly as we are instructed, and that those who go against the grain are the ones who make the movements. This book is beneficial for anyone who wants to start a movement, but who either lacks the confidence or harbors too much fear to step out and make a statement.

Critique

            I enjoyed Seth Godin’s writing style; his short paragraphs and grouped ideas made an excellent read for someone who does not want to put a great deal of time into reading it.  I was able to pick up the book, read a few short paragraphs, and then pick it up a few days later and repeat the process.   Seth Godin writes like a motivational speaker talks.  Reading this was like being at a leadership conference, only instead of listening to someone speak for an hour, I had to read for a few hours. His style is to make very bold statements about success and leadership, and then follow them up with an example.  This style could be effective; however, I found at times the examples did not sufficiently relate to the statement. Some of the examples were either underdeveloped, or weak. If he is going to make such bold statements, he needs to have sufficient evidence and detail to support.  I enjoyed his short paragraph structure, but I did find it to be a little unorganized. I said in my summary that this book would be beneficial for someone who wants to start a movement or take things in a new direction, and I do believe it would be. However, I did not find it all that motivating for me.  Most of the recommendations he offers are things that I have already been told, or learned on my own from successes and failures (i.e. accepting criticism, don’t just go along with the crowd, etc.)  On the other hand, I am glad I read this book. I am making crucial career decisions right now, and this book was a nice reminder to me that I can make bold moves, and I can attempt to make positive changes at my school. I sometimes worry that I am too young, or too inexperienced to make suggestions or start new things at my school, but this book reminded me that this is not the case. I need to stand up and stop being a follower, because as Godin reminded me, I should not be afraid of criticism because criticism means that someone has noticed what I am doing.  Isn’t that what we all want in our careers, to get noticed?  I would recommend this book to creative people who have the right ideas, but just need that extra little push.   

Dear _______ Please __________

I discovered the most AMAZING website today.  It will now be the source of all my procrastination.  Enjoy!

http://dearblankpleaseblank.com/index.php


A few of my favorites:

Dear Hogwarts,
Please send me another letter. I'm pretty sure Sarah Palin shot my owl.
Sincerely, It's not my fault I live in Alaska


Dear Obama,
I'm really happy for you and imma let you finish, but Franklin D Roosevelt had one of the best economic recoveries of all time. Of all time!
Sincerely, Kanye West

Dear 2010,
So I hear the best rapper is white and the president is black? WTF happened?!
Sincerely, 1985


Dear Voldemort,
So they screwed up your nose too?
Sincerely, Michael Jackson


Dear Nickelback,
That's enough.
Sincerely, the world


Dear students,
I know when you are texting. 
Sincerely, 
No one looks down at their crotch and smiles. 

7 Years Ago Today....

Dear Matt,  
Seven years ago today you pulled into my driveway in a silver Mustang. I jumped up from the dinner and table and was almost out the door when you were already at it insisting you meet my parents first.  Did I know then that you were the man for me?  I should have, you instantly stole my parent's hearts and quite soon, stole mine.  


Three years later on this very date, four years ago today, you got down on one knee in front of an aquarium and asked me, in my St. Patrick's Day dress, if I would marry you.  You read my favorite Bible verse, and even though my heart knew the proposal was coming, the shock of the words took my breath away.  

(Matt and I 3.17.07- the only photo I have of us on the day of our engagement) 

Two years later, one year ago today, we stood in our nervous newleywed shoes and took in the sight of our first house.  We breathed it all in and knew that it was ours.  



Today, nothing extraordinary may happen, but something extraordinary already has.  Who knew that 7 years later I would be writing this from the comfort of my first home, married, to the most wonderful and caring man.  


You make my dreams come true.  Keep being you :)  


143

sarah  

                                                                     Matt and I - engagement pictures 2008

Critique of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Summary

            In The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell examines how certain trends, epidemics, fashions, etc. develop and how those most dominant of trends reach the height of their popularity. Gladwell asserts that almost all of the influential movements begin small until something causes their popularity to “tip” over the edge into an epidemic level. The Tipping Point examines specific circumstances in which a relatively small characteristic had an ultimately large effect on a situation. Gladwell defines the “Tipping Point” as the “one dramatic moment in an epidemic when everything can change at once.”  He then examines specific movements and trends in our society from the prosperity of the show Blues Clues, to the sudden drop in the New York City crime rate, to the rise in teenage smoking, stating that all of these developments came about from one small thing that made them “stick” in our society. One small factor in a situation can cause any epidemic to “tip” and this is why certain people, products, TV shows, foods, etc. have a larger influence than others. It is the one thing that causes it to “stick” to society and grow.

Critique

            After reading Outliers for our first reading assignment, I was quite excited in the ideas that Gladwell was proposing; he looked at things in a way I had never seen before. So I read another of his books. Yet, after reading The Tipping Point I feel like I have heard enough from Gladwell. He makes a great point, and everything in the book makes sense, but he said it in far too many words. After the third chapter of examples, I fully understood what he was proposing and it was clear in the examples. I finished reading the rest of the book hoping for something new, but it was still more cases. He could have said the exact thing in far less pages and it would have still had the same influence. However, there were a few specific stories that did apply to me and my career. The chapter on the success of Blues Clues I found beneficial because it reiterated to me a few key concepts in the education of small children: children learn best with repetition, and children respond well when the activity calls for their interaction. Gladwell examined the difference between Blues Clues and Sesame Street, and sure enough, the former called for interaction of children in each episode, and each episode was replayed five days in a row. Blues Clues experienced more success due to those small factors that caused it to “tip”, and to “stick” in a child’s mind. 

            Another thing I can take away from this was from the chapter on the popularity of teenage smoking. One point Gladwell makes is that our traits are not just determined by our genes, but by the environment in which we live. In fact, he says that half of our traits are determined by our genes, while the other half are from our environment. Parents may try to influence their child and shape their behavior, but the fact is that this influence plays no role at all. Children, for example, have the same likelihood to start smoking if they come from a home where smoking is the norm as they do in a home where smoking is rebuked. Whether kids smoke or not is entirely up to the influence of their peers. This is very interesting to me as an educator of teens. I may try to influence them, but unless what I say “sticks” to the more influential teens, my advice is not likely to be taken. What is popular, and what is deemed “cool” is, and ultimately has always been, up to the teen groups themselves. Perhaps we need to find a way to make our values and ideals “stick” to kids in such a way that they think it was their idea. Maybe then the idea of good morals and values in teens can “tip” and become an epidemic. 

Save the Date

I wrote this memoir when I was 21, shortly after the death of my grandmother. I have not shared it with many people. Here goes!

Save the Date

          Very few people choose the date on which they will die. It isn’t something we think about or even plan. In almost every case, we have no choice at all- death sneaks up on us without warning or even care as to what the date is. My grandmother, however, chose to die on February 29, 2008. 

          There are 365 dates in a year.  Except once, every four years, there is an extra date- February 29- leap day.  She may have done it so that we would only have to remember the day she died once every four years.  At least, this is what my mother told me.  But I know better.  My grandmother died on that day to be different.   She wanted to stand out.

          Not that she needed anything extra to help her stand out.  With her giraffe necklaces, her big straw hats, and her bright pink stilettos- she always stood out.  She never wore the same thing as anyone else, she never did exactly what anyone else was doing, and likewise, she would want to even choose a unique day to leave this life. 

          We put a great deal of emphasis on dates.  We celebrate our anniversaries of important events, and the date of our birth. We sometimes remember the dates of things such as: when we met our best friend, or the date of a first date.  It is even one of the first things we do after a man proposes- we set a date. Some dates are easy to remember, like, November 10, 2002, the date on which a tornado destroyed my town.  Some dates are easy to forget.  Like April 21, 1993- I have no idea what happened that day.  There are dates we will never forget, and then, there are dates which we would love to forget. 

          February 13, 2008 is one of those dates I would love to erase from my memory.  Like any devoted Flyer fan, I had just attended my school’s basketball game.  We won, and as I walked back with all my friends in the cool crisp air, I was excited to see my mother calling when I looked at the vibrating phone.  She did not sound as excited to talk to me, as she told me that she and dad would not be visiting me that weekend.  I was instantly devastated as this was the third time they had tried to visit me this year.  Her reason this time though hit me like a bulldozer to a pile.  “Sarah” she began, “Grandma Prudy is in the hospital.  She is doing really bad.  You should probably come home- just in case.”

          Do you know what happens when you put an ice cube into boiling water?  Or what happens when you take a burning hot skillet off the stove and run cold water over it?  It’s the same thing that happens when you go from a high on life to feeling like its crashing down like cans off the grocery store shelf.  A reaction happens. The ice cube crackles and evaporates; the pan screams and lets off steam.  In those seconds, my heart jumped out of my chest and into my throat, sending a similar reaction burning out of my eyes and a roller coaster drop down to my stomach. 

          I don’t really remember the rest of our conversation, but I remember crying- almost like a child- and Julie handing me the roll of toilet paper for the river coming out of my eyes and nose.  I knew then, that this is a date that I would not forget:  the date in which I learned I was losing one of my best friends. 

          That Saturday morning, February 15, 2008, my fiancé drove me home. When I walked into her hospital room she was calm and asleep, an unusual contrast to her typical exclamations such as, YIPEE!  I had never seen her like this: dull gray hospital gown replacing her bright yellow flowered hat, and her crazy neon sweaters with fireworks.  I wish she had been awake to see her entire family- cousins from Seattle and all- surrounded by her bed, looking at the woman who was the center of our entire family. 

          We didn’t talk much in the 30 hours I was home.  I held her hand a lot and smoothed back her dry uncombed hair.  I read to her and watched as my aunt and mother administered the water cup to her. When we were alone, I myself tried to feed her the water cup.  I held it to her lips so she could drink.   She started coughing very badly, and something was beeping.  A nurse ran in and checked her vitals.  All the while, I am standing in the background, praying to God not to take her now- not to let me be the reason she died right there.  But then, just like that it was over.  One of the scariest moments of my life was over and she was back asleep again, breathing heavier this time and looking more run down than I had ever seen her. 

          The next day came.  It was the 16^th, another date which would not so soon be forgotten.  I knew that today would be the day I had to say goodbye. I had to go back to school.  My life had to continue. I went to the hospital unwilling to affirm what I knew would be true:  this would be our very last goodbye.

          She said more to me then, than she had my entire visit. 

“Grandma Prudy- I am leaving now.  I have to go back to school.”

          She turned her eyes to me and said, “Sarah... good.” She smiled.

I kissed her forehead, It was cold and clammy, and I ran my finger through her straw-like hair.  “I love you.”

          She took a deep breath, and with large watery eyes full of love, she looked deep at me.  “Okay.” Deep breath.  “mmm, I love you.” The words rang through my ears as Matt helped me move away from the bed.  They played in the air as I walked out the door.  They screamed in the corridor as I walked down the hallway.  Those words will forever ring- her last words- her last I love you.

          Yes, dates are very important.  Which is why, that September 4th, I addressed and sent out save the date cards for my wedding.  As my pen wrote the names of all those I loved the most, I couldn’t help but address one to Mrs. Prudence Hering.  She deserved to know the date of my wedding- July 11^th, an important date- the same date of her birth. 

          October 18^th, June 21^st, May 28^th, March 17^th.  They just dates.  We watch them pass by each and every day. Some of them we celebrate, some of them we let slip away without so much as of a glance at the actual number.  But one thing I learned from my grandmother was to cherish the date that is today.  Today is not just another number, it is someone’s birthday, the day we met our best friend, the date we make an important decision, a day we may never forget.  Each day, just like my grandmother, is unique.  Cherish this date and every date.  Save it in your heart, and one day when you need to remember – you can. 

Beautiful words and Beautiful GP

It was on this day three years ago that I got the phone call that my grandmother had passed.  Let me rephrase this. It was on this day three years ago that one of the most influential people of my life, and one of the best friends I have ever had, passed.  That's better. Because when we think of "Grandma" we think of someone who knits sweaters and bakes chicken noodle soup, and whose house smells like mothballs. This is was not my grandmother.

Beautiful Grandma Prudy she was to me for 21 years. She didn't really cook a whole lot, but she was awesome at playing Polly Pockets. She didn't knit me anything, but she was great for a tacky gift here and there. She rode bikes with me, and we went on adventures, and she hosted parades, and tea parties, and she ALWAYS dressed up. Luckily, her house did not smell of mothballs, but it did smell like flowers. Every kind of flower imaginable. She had a garden that the entire street knew about. That was probably because it was visible from the end of the street. It was gorgeous, and it reflected her beauty and the beauty of so many quiet, unique, and simple things.  I could write a novel about her and everything about her. 

The day after her death, I went home to be with my family. My mother had gone to her house to pick up a few things and arrange them for the funeral. My grandmother had been hospitalized for some time, so the mail was piled up and the papers on the table had not been touched for awhile.  But as she went through them, my mother found a small clipping my grandmother had clipped from the newspaper before she went away.  On top of the clipping was a post-it-note that read, "to Sarah, love BGP".  It was for me. 

The quote that she had clipped was one of the most beautiful things I had ever read. I read it at her gravestone. Did she leave them behind knowing that I may read them at her graveside? It's debatable. Did she leave them to me so that I may live by them? Most definitely.  Did the quote match her life perfectly? Every. Last. Word. It encompassed so much of who she was and what she believed. 

As I read these words at her grave, I wept not for her loss, but because I was so blessed to have had her for the time I did.   I love you and I miss you. 

"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. "

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dreams

The birth of this blog stems from the outstanding dreams I have had lately. Mainly, due to the dreams I have been having about my children. 


No, I do not have children. Yet. 


But I have been dreaming of them.  And in thinking more and more about them and my desire for them I have started a blog because as soon as I have children, I know I will want a blog. 


So for now you will see my thoughts on the world and the beautiful things I find each day.  Hopefully one day soon I can fill it with the beautiful words about and pictures of my children. 


Sarah

Book Critique: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Summary

            In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell explores certain success stories and how those successful few have been fortunate to come across their achievements. Gladwell’s overall argument is that although a great deal of determination and effort needed are needed to be successful, it is one’s opportunities, experiences, and even background that ultimately determine our success. Outliers, as Gladwell defines them, are those whose achievements stand out from others, and are in some way different from the normal expected success story. Gladwell shares experiences of success stories and confirms that opportunities such as the date or year you were born, your family background, your father and/or mother’s choices, or even your heritage can all affect your opportunities and hereafter your successes. Using shocking statistics and research, Gladwell makes a great argument for success being completely situational; you were there at the right time, and right place, and you seized the opportunity that presented itself to you.

Critique

            I am an avid reader.  However, I do not normally explore non-fiction.  I prefer the American classics, and modern-day novels and fiction.  Yet, Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers grabbed my attention instantly. He opened with a story of an Italian community in Pennsylvania who were consistently living an unusually long life, and then dying only of their old age. What made this interesting was all the medical research that went in to determine how these people managed to live so long. The only conclusion that doctors could reach was that these Italian Americans were living so long because they were happy, and the community and interactions they kept with each other allowed their lives to prosper. It is stories like these that really strike me because it shows that happiness plays a great role in success, something I have always believed. If one is truly happy with their work and their life, then no matter what level of status, recognition, or money we achieve, we can consider ourselves successful because we are doing what we love. I am in education because I have a passion for it, and this passion drives me and makes me feel successful.

            Another interesting thing about Outliers was that it did not share what I would call “normal” success stories.  I expected Gladwell to go into detail about individuals who rose from nothing and poverty, and with hard work they found their success.  This was not the case at all.  In fact, in a few of his examples, Gladwell shared stories of children who succeeded more in school because their parents had more money, and were able to give them better opportunities. Gladwell’s main emphasis for success was the circumstantial opportunities. He leads us to believe that at times, our success is out of our control.  Just like the hockey players who were better mainly because of what time of year they were born; this in turn led them to mature earlier, be picked for better teams, and have more athletic success.  Overall, I enjoyed Gladwell and his writing style, and I have chosen to pursue more of his works.