I've had the privilege of knowing Patrick for over 5 years through his speaking at the university I work at. Through that time, I feel like I've gotten to know him pretty well.
This fall, while he was here for presentations, he gave me a copy of his new book, When You Are Bursting.
If you want to really know someone, read something they have written. Those words are pieces of their soul. This book is very much like getting a peek into Patrick's life and soul. His book shares more of his life story and the things that helped shape him. It's a collection of short stories. Through this book, I came to see how extraordinary Patrick's life has been. The book made me laugh, made me sad at times, but it also made me think about life. This was definitely an easy read. Read it, you'll definitely enjoy it!
I just finished reading, The Other Wes Moore. I have long loved reading, especially between my MBA classes. I like to read fiction and also biographies. In a way, The Other Wes Moore is a biography. It follows the similar lives of two African American boys during the same era and living in same city. They come from similar single mother homes. The book follows their upbringing and what made the difference in each of their lives. They end up in very different places.
One ended up with a life sentence in prison for murder. The other went to military school, became a decorated veteran, a Rhodes Scholar, a White House Fellow, and a businessman. It was interesting to see their similarities and when each came to a fork in the road that helped change the rest of their lives. The choices we make each day define the lives we live. The fate of the imprisoned Wes Moore made the other Wes Moore wonder how their fates could've been so different with such similar backgrounds. So, he struck up a friendship with the imprisoned Wes Moore to find out what made the difference.
Some of their differences, as I saw it were 1) ones mom raised her kids alone while the other moved in with her parents for help and 2) one had more kids and one focused on working more to provide for her kids, and 3) one mom talked to their son about his bad behavior and one realized talking wasn't helping and sent him to military school.
Have you read it? Did anything stand out to you about it? This book is timely with all the things going on in our world like the incidents in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland. Read it and gain another perspective. Knowledge is power.
To learn more about the book, click here.
Here's an excellent YouTube video my friend, the highly successful speaker and writer, Patrick Combs shared about the book: #veryinsightful #maketherightchoice #begratefulfortoughlove
