Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. -Charles W. Eliot

(photo courtesy of Ellen SIlverman and Real Simple)

Gotta love The Onion!

Spring is here - and Austin is growing more beautiful with every day. The weather is perfect today for a leisurely lunch outside. From my seat on the patio furniture at Panera, I am enjoying the breeze and the view. The vibrant green leaves - newly sprouted on the tree branches - stand boldly against the brilliant, cloudless blue sky. Life is good.

My time in Austin has been nice so far. The transition is eased with my friend/roommate Susan’s help, and I am loving my job. I’ve met some great friends, explored the city a bit, and learned my way around the various streets. Things are alright, but it is still not my home.

I attended yet another church today - this time, with friends - and am more drawn to this congregation than to the other two I have experienced. In the search for a church home, it is easy to become discouraged - especially when I have wonderful memories and a strong connection to my last church home in Miami. I try to remind myself that it took a long of time to find my fit there, too, but that does not change the fact that I still do not feel at home. Although I have been somewhat discouraged lately, today has brought me hope.

A handful of other people felt drawn to Panera’s patio today, and I overheard a glimpse of two conversations that brightened my mood.

When I first took my seat, a couple shared a table beside mine, and talked about their apprehension to finish college in the upcoming weeks, and begin the job search. They shared their end-of-semester frustrations with finals quickly approaching, and talked with excitement and hesitation about their pending start in ‘the real world’.

“I’m going to finish my thesis this week, and finally start the job search. I’ve got to write letters of interest and all that stuff, but I haven’t had time. I can’t wait to be done!”

They left shortly after I sat down, headed out to work on the last few papers and presentations that separate them from their goal.

As they left, a pair of young women joined the patio, enjoying their afternoon and happily discussing their recent happenings. As they caught up over their sandwiches, I heard them chat about how much of a change the last year has been. Both graduated from college within the last year, and reminisced about their time with campus ministries that kept them connected and helped them stay focused on their faith. I overheard them discussing their struggles to find a home in the Austin community, and to get used to life after college.

“Our whole lives, everyone’s preparing you for the next step. Remember after high school? Everybody talked about college, and helped us get ready. That’s nothing compared to this! No one helps you get ready for life without school.”

They’re right. It is not easy, and almost everyone experiences this same struggle to find out what is next after the structure of school ends. (sidenote: One went on to tell the other about this great new movie coming out starring Julia Roberts, where her character travels the world to find herself. “I think it’s called Eat Pray Love, but I haven’t read it. I want to just travel the world!” I wanted to interrupt and tell them it is my favorite book, and they must read it - now. I decided against, so as to avoid letting them in on my eavesdropping…)

I remember being in the shoes of the first couple - so excited about what was to come, and nervous about the unknown. And I recall moving to Miami after grad school, feeling enthusiastic about my life, apprehensive about the future, and discouraged throughout that first year as I struggled to find my fit in the city.

There are not easy answers as to how to maneuver through these transitions, but it is comforting to remember that I am not alone in this experience. Plenty of others experience the same struggles. It is also nice to reflect on my first time going through this. I have made it before, and I am confident and hopeful that I will make it through again.

As I prepared to leave, I watched an older couple walk to their car and drive off to their next destination. I wondered about the advice they could give, with their years of experience? As I reflect on how I thought I had so much to tell the four people I overheard today to provide them with hope and encouragement, I remember how little of life I have truly experienced. This couple has a lifetime of stories to share. I also realize that all six of the people I have seen could teach me something.

Attraversiamo.

This post is part of the Blog Tour for Richard Dedor’s new book, Anything is Possible. Want to learn more about Richard?  Visit his blog, Finding Focus & follow him on Twitter to keep in touch!

Writing this book, Anything is Possible has been an inspiring trek for myself and those who worked on this project with me. My three wonderful editors have (at least I hope they have) been inspired by not only my work and vision, but by their involvement in shaping the final product. The journey was long and even painful at times, but in the end, we arrived at something I believe can change your life. But first… what does it mean to be inspired?

I sat down for coffee with one of my editors about a month ago in Des Moines, Iowa. Karith was my tenth grade English teacher, and the woman who first got me involved in competitive speech. She will always be Mrs. Humpal to me. It was Karith who pushed me to join the team, and ultimately earn All-State honors my first year out. I tend to believe she saw something in me, and through my success, my classmates saw something as well. The following year our team nearly doubled in size. Did I inspire that? Maybe.

As I pulled out a proof copy of the book, I saw Karith holding back her tears. She was so excited. I am sure it is how I looked when I got my first copy in the mail. A year of my life in 170 pages. My heart and soul on the pages; words that I hope will inspire change in your life, just as they have mine.

A recent inspirational quote from JBrady’s Qwotable Twitter feed reads, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” -John Quincy Adams

Holding the book in one hand, Karith reached over and patted my knee, and I could see the pride in her eyes. What was once one of her students is now a published author. I guess that means that anything is possible!

Certainly you have it in you to do one of the four tasks Adams mentioned. Dream. Learn. Do. Become.

This journey of writing and publishing this book has shown me that anything really is possible. It has proven that if you dream, if you are honest and hard-working, good things can happen.

To be inspired means to be moved by something so you take action. You do something. You work to achieve something – anything. It’s simple, but life changing. Each and every one of you has it. I believe it to my very core.

If you dream, if you learn, if you do, if you become, you will inspire.

—————

Want to win a FREE copy of Richard Dedor’s book, Anything is Possible? Send your name, email address, and favorite motivational quote my way via email. Two lucky winners will receive one copy of Anything is Possible!

UPDATE: Congratulations Carly Wells and Kyle Matthews, recipients of the Critically Acclaimed Anything is Possible book giveaway!

Critically Acclaimed is proud to host my close friend, Richard Dedor tomorrow (March 4, 2010), with a guest post designed to inspire! Stop by tomorrow to get inspired, and have a chance to win one of two copies of his book, Anything Is Possible!

In 2007, Allison Foster and I informally started a book club at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. During my time there, the group grew from the original two, to a regular group of eleven fantastic friends, and continued after I left in November, 2009.

What started as a fun lunch date became a thriving club of dedicated readers, and enhanced my value for literature and lively disussion. I read twelve books with the FIU crew, and was sad to leave the group as I pursued a new professional endeavor in Austin, Texas.

In an effort to continue my passion for lifelong learning, I’ve taken what I learned from the Miami book club and established a new group at the University of Texas at Austin. Our meetings began January 25, and continue every other week during the lunch hour.

Our first (and current) read is Three Cups of Tea, a book I’d been encouraging the FIU group to read to no avail… And to be honest, it had a not-so-engaging start. I’m pleased to say the subsequent chapters are much more readable, and I’m hoping the trend continues as the book progresses. I look forward to posting a longer review once I complete the book.

If you had asked me years ago, I would not have invisioned myself being a part of a book club, much less leading one. Now, I cannot imagine my life without it.

Happy Reading!

Enjoying the beautiful Austin weather at my favorite Starbucks location, and catching up on bookclub reading last week.

In June 2007, I had just moved to Miami and started my job at Florida International University. Having moved to a new city knowing nobody, I would often head to downtown Coral Gables to browse the various bookstores - my favorite being Books & Books - a charming doctor’s-office-turned-bookstore-and-cafe, about a half mIle from my apartment. The building had been renovated to fit the bookstore needs while maintaining the integrity of the original 1927 Mediterranean style architecture, and each room had been fixed with wall-to-wall wooden bookshelves. (Check out a slideshow of the store)

Summer 2007 marked an exciting time in literary history, as the seventh (and final) book of the Harry Potter series was to be released. At this time, I hadn’t read any of the books or seen any of the films, but my supervisor and a handful of my new colleagues were avid readers.

One evening after work, I stopped by the Barnes & Noble store on Miracle Mile, and fed the parking meter for two hours. (I would visit B&N when I knew I was going to purchase something, because at the time I still had a paid membership to their discount program. Now, I prefer local when possible.) Unbeknownst to me, that evening was the release party for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, and within a half hour, the bookstore was packed with Harry, Ron, and Hermione clones (adults and children alike). Watching the frenzied excitement (particulary that of the booksellers who were frantic among the commotion) provided an interesting study in human behavior. I’ve always been a people-watcher, and I love to know what makes a person tick.

I told my office about the visit the next day, mentioning how I didn’t understand all of the fuss. They proceeded to explain their great anticipation for the final book, and told me I had to read the series. My supervisor offered to loan me the books if I was ever interested. It wouldn’t be until two summers later that I would take Anna up on her offer.

Last May, I borrowed the first three books from Anna, and quickly fell in love. J. K. Rowling’s writing style is energetic and youthful, and her elaborate stories and impressive twists as each novel comes to a close brings everything together seamlessly, and never ceases to surprise. As I would wrap up each book, I would watch the corresponding film with my good friend Brian. I made it through the first three books and films as the Summer ended, and held off on the fourth until arriving in Austin.

After getting settled in my new job at the University of Texas at Austin, I borowed the fourth book from my neighbor Brandon, and started the series again with Esmer - a colleague and friend who also hadn’t followed Harry’s adventures before last summer.

I have a thing with wanting to own the books I read - particulary those I love. I also don’t like to own incomplete sets of collections, and prefer that each copy is in the same format (a little neurotic, I admit). Before my cross-country move, Mickey gave me an extra hardback copy of the Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Prince, at which point I wanted to own not only the whole series, but hardback volumes of the remaining six books. Pricing such a purchase at various bookstores, I quickly found that this would be a real investment - until today.

Esmer introduced me to Half Price Books - a fabulous used booksore in Austin. I visited today, and was able to complete my hardcover collection for less than $65 - nearly $25 cheaper than purchasing a new copy of the boxed paperback set! I switched from Brandon’s borrowed paperback, and am excited to return it this week.

If you haven’t read the series, I would strongly encourage it. As an educator, the boarding school similarities of Hogwarts resonates similarly to the typical residential higher education experience, with similar challenges (independence, living away from home, time management, peer pressure, acadic pressures, etc.). The characters are elaborately defined, and the story is well-written, imaginative and intriguing. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. In fact, why don’t you start today? You’re certainly welcome to borrow my collection. :-)

Review: A Piece of Cake: A Memoir by Cupcake Brown

Cupcake Brown lived through some of the worst-imaginable events - most of which occurred (or began) during a young childhood, and beginning with finding her mother’s dead body one morning at age 11. Brown accounts fifteen+ years of terrible situations and horrific experiences with physical, emotional, and mental abuse, driving a young child into substance abuse and prostitution, before eventually seeking out counseling and rehabilitation.

Brown’s memoir is powerful, gripping, and edgy, painting a clear picture of the disturbing effects of drug use and alcoholism, and providing the reader with a greater understanding of how a life can swiftly change from happy-go-lucky to dark and dreary. Her account evokes sympathy/empathy from the reader, bringing her or him through an emotional journey that ends with hop

A recurring theme throughout the book is Brown’s struggle with her faith in God throughout the darkest parts of her life, and into her time of recovery and renewal. The memoir evokes a wide range of emotions as the reader follows Brown’s life through a series of unpleasant and often horrific situations, and forces the reader to deal with her or his own prejudices behind adults with addiction.

Another recurring theme is that of race relations, and the way people learn to act, interact, speak and relate to others based on their surroundings, their skin color, and their understanding of the world’s expectations. Brown provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a black youth growing up within the inner-city foster care systems around California, and clearly articulates the experiences that shape who she is and who she becomes throughout her life’s journey.

The author’s writing style is outstanding, changing appropriately as her character grows older and developing into a completely different tone when Cupcake finally reaches the beginning of her recovery. It is impressive how Brown is able to speak about such horrendous events in such a candid way, and it provides the reader with a bleak but very real picture of the life of a person struggling with addiction.

A compelling read, fantastic for anyone seeking to understand substance abuse and addiction, A Piece of Cake will consume your focus, with the closing of each chapter begging you for one more slice.

The Book Club is a regular feature for Critically Acclaimed. Posts tagged with The Book Club will share insight into the books I’m reading, and provide you with a glimpse of what turns me on to an author, a plot, a character, or other things literary. Some may be full-fledged reviews, where others may share an inspirational quote or thought-provoking moment, or possibly just to a reference to a recommended read. Read about the origins of The Book Club here.

During the summer between my first and second years of graduate school, I interned at Suffolk University in Boston. My co-intern rekindled my love of reading, and I picked up a fantastic summer read, Three Junes by Julia Glass, which I flew through before having to head back to South Carolina to finish my Master’s.

Upon graduating in May 2007, I found I had much more time to pursue pleasure reading than before, and began to read avidly. I had originally thought my newfound love of reading was, in fact, new, but upon further reflection, realized I had quite the extensive history with reading - both for pleasure and academics.

As a child, my private elementary school participated in the Pizza Hut Book It! Reading Incentive Program, which turns 25 this year. Genius, really. After all, what’s a better incentive to read than pizza? I recall reading the entire Indian In the Cupboard book series (to this day, my favorite children’s series). I also remember my Dad’s encouragement and support of this hobby. Having purchased The Chronicles of Narnia, he offered to reward my finishing the series by purchasing a toy of my choosing from Wal-Mart. (I chose the Bang-a-Rang Attack Raft from the movie Hook…)

Being that my love for reading began with Pizza Hut’s program, it only made sense to unofficially name the Higher Education Book Club after the program.

Book It: The Higher Education Book Club began in Fall, 2007 when Allison and I decided to read Blink together. It slowly grew to its current membership of 19 dedicated higher education professionals on our campus. We meet every other week to discuss the book we’re currently reading, and find ways to apply it to our personal and/or professional lives. So far, the club has read (and I recommend) the following:

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary by Joseph Michelli
The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown
Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas
Goat: A Memoir by Brad Land

Beyond Book It and other personal reads, I also loosely participate in a book club with friends from South Beach, whom I first connected with through the chorus, when I have the time to dedicate to another read.

Posts tagged with The Book Club will share insight into the books I’m reading, and provide you with a glimpse of what turns me on to an author, a plot, a character, or other things literary. Some may be full-fledged reviews, where others may share an inspirational quote or thought-provoking moment, or possibly just to a reference to a recommended read.

Recommendations always welcome. :o)

Happy Reading!