“EVERYTHING INFLUENCES EACH OF US,
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I TRY TO
MAKE SURE THAT MY EXPERIENCES
ARE POSITIVE”
-Maya Angelou
Great advice from Ms. Angelou, but not always that easy to actually put into action. At times, life throws us all a curveball or two, and these are the times that challenge us. Our responses to such situations come to define who we are. So when I unexpectedly lost a job I'd had for over a decade, it could have been a crushing defeat. However, I was fortunate enough to see it as a chance for positive change rather than a terrible blow, and in over five years since, I've not looked back with regret.
The Mockingbird Speaks is my experience in dealing with the change and coming to reconnect with my real self. Spending a summer studying some neighborhood birds, I discovered many worldly truths that altered my outlook on life. I came to understand the need to adapt to new situations in order to thrive; to see everything as useful in its own way so that nothing goes to waste; to rationalize and overcome some deep-rooted fears; that stereotypes of any sort limit one's understanding and ability to grow. These and many other ways of looking at life differently helped me alter my mindset for the better. I believe these realizations I present will help you deal well with adversity too, whether you're dealing with problems at home, on the job or school, or even just within yourself.
In The Mockingbird Speaks, I share these truisms, illustrated with some case studies that embody the ideals. You'll read about, and be inspired by people like Terry Fox, a one-legged athlete who set out to run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research, Norm Feuti, who created a successful career cartooning out of a series of dead-end jobs and many others. And learn a thing or two about one of North America's most beloved birds, the Mockingbird as well.
I hope you'll enjoy the book and be inspired to find your own “Mockingbird”. Rediscover the real you!
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I TRY TO
MAKE SURE THAT MY EXPERIENCES
ARE POSITIVE”
-Maya Angelou
Great advice from Ms. Angelou, but not always that easy to actually put into action. At times, life throws us all a curveball or two, and these are the times that challenge us. Our responses to such situations come to define who we are. So when I unexpectedly lost a job I'd had for over a decade, it could have been a crushing defeat. However, I was fortunate enough to see it as a chance for positive change rather than a terrible blow, and in over five years since, I've not looked back with regret.
The Mockingbird Speaks is my experience in dealing with the change and coming to reconnect with my real self. Spending a summer studying some neighborhood birds, I discovered many worldly truths that altered my outlook on life. I came to understand the need to adapt to new situations in order to thrive; to see everything as useful in its own way so that nothing goes to waste; to rationalize and overcome some deep-rooted fears; that stereotypes of any sort limit one's understanding and ability to grow. These and many other ways of looking at life differently helped me alter my mindset for the better. I believe these realizations I present will help you deal well with adversity too, whether you're dealing with problems at home, on the job or school, or even just within yourself.
In The Mockingbird Speaks, I share these truisms, illustrated with some case studies that embody the ideals. You'll read about, and be inspired by people like Terry Fox, a one-legged athlete who set out to run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research, Norm Feuti, who created a successful career cartooning out of a series of dead-end jobs and many others. And learn a thing or two about one of North America's most beloved birds, the Mockingbird as well.
I hope you'll enjoy the book and be inspired to find your own “Mockingbird”. Rediscover the real you!
"A Great Way Of Looking At Things" - Kyle MacDonald (One Red Paperclip)