Author: Steven M. Darter
Publisher: self-published, 2018
Genre: self-help
Pages: 233
Obtained: from author in exchange for an honest review
Summary: The author describes how human beings are designed for certain things and how each person is given a specific set of talents and gifts to use toward his or her purpose. How can we use what we have been given to do what we were intended to do successfully?
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this thought provoking book. The author describes a process of self exploration using his life experiences as examples. He looks at identifying gifts and interests, making sure they are being used in a positive way, and how to stay on the right track to achieve meaning, purpose, and success in one's life. Some of the ideas the author presented were very familiar to me since I worked as a career counselor, but many were new. I kept thinking how, if I had read this book when doing this work, my clients would have benefited from this information. I also liked that though the author's background is in career counseling, especailly at the excecutive level, he writes this book so that ANYONE can benefit from it, even those that don't necessarily have a career (someone retired, or a stay at home Mom or Dad). The best part about the book, though, was the author's inspirational, amusing stories from his own life and how he used and continues to use the ideas in this book to grow. He told his story in such a way that I could relate to it. His struggles were not the same as mine, but I believe anyone could use his examples to help understand the points he was trying to make.
I liked the author's writing style. It had a down to earth flare and was engaging. I liked the humor the author used throughout the book. He used just the right amount of repetition to make the most pertinent information stick in my brain. The small problem I had with the book, and it may have been the way I process information, was that I had trouble bringing everything together at the end. I could take in each piece and understand it and think about my life in regards to it, but at the end I felt like I had a bunch of pieces and not a full picture. It may be a book I just have to read more than once because I just cannot pinpoint how it could have been organized differently to bring everything together more tightly for me. I do think one more read through with pauses for thinking and reflecting would bring it all together.
Although I would not describe this book as religious, one of the central parts of the book is God. How can I say I would not describe it as religious? I believe that even if the reader does not believe in God, the other pieces of the book would be beneficial and thought provoking.
This is a fantastic book for self reflection and self exploration. It would be helpful for an adult of any age, no matter where you are on your life journey.
Tea: Oregon Breakfast Black Tea
Obtained: sample with tea of the month club
I got this sample of Oregon Breakfast Black Tea with my November, Plum Deluxe tea of the month club delivery. The ingredients were black tea, honeybush tea, orange peel, and hazelnut essence. The brown and black, small, thin leaves were mixed with white and light brown chunks and smelled of hazelnuts. I put 1 1/2 teaspoons of leaves into my teapot and poured 16 ounces of water that had been boiled over the leaves. I let this steep for 3 minutes. The brownish orange liquid also had a hazelnut scent. The taste was of hazelnuts and was slightly sweet. I could taste a hint of orange in the background, but I don't think I would have noticed it if I hadn't read the ingredients first and knew there was orange peel in the tea as it is very subtle. I really had to search for it. This was a delicious, rich, warming tea that is perfect for breakfast. I imagine this would go wonderfully with most desserts as well. If you are like me and love the scent of hazelnut coffee, but are not a coffee drinker- definitely try this one!
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