Time for another book/author review! Hope you guys enjoy it!
Travels
Most people know about Michael Crichton because he wrote the books like Jurrasic Park, Sphere, Congo and The Andromeda Strain. He sold over 200 million books, however, the one book that stuck with me is his book called Travels. Ironically, it's a non-fiction autobiography.
Nothing better than a helpful perspective tweak
When I read, I look for nuggets that I can keep. Here are three chapters that I remember making an impact on my thinking and the lessons I learned.
Lesson 1: Sometimes its good to NOT to know what's coming
In one chapter, Crichton went on an excursion hoping to see a shark or two. Wisely, their guide didn't give them the full scope of what was to come. Crichton and his group were brought down a vortex and into a fast-moving current that pulled them, quickly and closely, past hundreds of sharks.
The unknown is shrouded with unfounded fear.
I have thought about this often when I am sitting on the fence for an adventure. Do I really need to know everything about where I'm going and what I'll see? The detailed, careful melancholy half of my personality rears its non-adventurous head and holds up danger signs. My husband, on the other hand, is always up for an adventure. I think about this vignette and it emboldens me to go with the flow.
Do you believe, like I do, that sometimes it's best to step into the unknown? You may be pleasantly surprised. Have you ever had an unexpected, exciting surprise that would never have happened if reason kicked in and stopped you in your tracks?
Lesson 2: Don't just depend on your senses, look beyond.
Another chapter covered a trip to a gorge. Crichton stood at the edge of what was supposed to dwarf the Grand Canyon. He didn't see the massive gorge... the majestic canyon landscape. Instead, he just saw that he was a the edge of what seemed to be a typical cliff.
What he expected to see, but didn't.
However, it only looked like a cliff because the other side of the gorge was so far away that he couldn't see it. He truly was standing in the presence of something more massive than the Grand Canyon yet, he had to look inside of himself to capture the true essence of the moment because his eye couldn't capture it.
I tend to think of this story when I meet people. It reminds me to look for the greatness in others regardless of appearances.
When nothing on paper indicated my husband was a good catch, in fact, everything on paper said, "RUN!", I saw his heart for others and knew it would end well.
When I see my amazing friend, Adrienne, juggle motherhood (swim meets, Girl Scouts) and a successful business (over 3000 employees), I visually see she's a bedrock of many. Yet, I remind myself that although she truly is strong, my husband and I are really protective of her because of the silent challenges we know about...silent challenges that are not seen or known by others who meet her, yet are the driving forces of her life at this time.
Have you ever seen or met greatness that went beyond your senses? How much effort do you make to purposefully look for the greatness around you?
Lesson 3: When cultural differences arise, don't judge. Consider embracing good ones.
Finally, in another chapter, Crichton describes entering a village of pygmies who all busted out in gut-busting laughter when he approached. They were literally rolling around on the ground laughing uncontrollably. The logical side of him probably wondered if he had a booger hanging out of his nose... in other words, he had a moment of massive insecurity. He was, in fact, 6 feet 9 inches tall giant of a man, surrounded by pygmies. Then, he discovered that this tribe of pygmies considered this type of laughter as the highest form of RESPECT when meeting a new person.
They weren't laughing at him, with him, but FOR him.
Did you know you can learn to embrace cultural differences? I'm from Texas and we smile at strangers and often times, hug in place of shaking hands. Have you ever been smacked in the face of cultural differences that made you insecure? Are you willing to be a little bit uncomfortable for the sake of community?
I think about this because recently 
My friend 
In conclusion
So, back to the book Travels. Did I agree with everything in the book? No. Did the entire book speak to me? No. However, the parts that did speak to me made a lasting impact that made reading the book well worth my time!
Now, who needs a hug?! 🤗
Previous Book/Author Reviews
- I love the smell of books. Am I weird? I blame authors like John Irving.
- I love the smell of books. Am I weird? I blame authors like Edward Rutherford.