This past Thursday, I was the speaker at the New Century Charter School graduation ceremony.

When I was asked to do this, I knew I wanted to share some of the acquired knowledge and wisdom I’ve picked up along the way. The challenge was how to frame it, so that it was interesting.

While I pondered this, I happened to look at the stack of books by my couch. There was the answer: Andy Andrews book, “The Traveler’s Gift.”

My mom recommended this book to me a couple years ago. I started reading it and couldn’t put it down. Andrews combines my two favorite subjects: history with self-help.

The book was a New York Times bestseller, a featured book selection of ABC's “Good Morning America” and translated into more than 18 languages.

The main character in this fictional tale is David Ponder, an executive who lost his job when the company he worked for closed. From there, life spiraled downward. After a series of crises, he wondered if his family would be better off without him.

At this critical juncture, Ponder is taken on an extraordinary journey through history where he is given the seven decisions that determine personal success.

Andrews uses a light hand to remind us that we may not control our circumstances, but we do control how we respond to them.

In the words of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

“The Traveler’s Gift” can be purchased where books are sold. It can also be borrowed from the Hutchinson Public Library by calling (320) 587-2368.

About the book
“The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success”
By Andy Andrews
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
2002, 224 pages
$19.99, hardcover

(Kay Johnson is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. She can be reached at johnson@hutchinsonleader.com)