The Traveler's Gift

Its Book Club time again! This month for our Corona Del Mar book club, we read an engaging novel called The Traveler's Gift, an extraordinary tale of a man named David Ponder who receives a second chance at life as he learns "the Seven Decision for Success."

I really enjoyed the author's insights and the small lessons learned at the end of each journey. One of these journeys included a visit to the late Anne Frank, a girl whose famous diary has linked us to the mind of an adolescent who experienced first hand one of the most tragic events in the world's history. As he talks with Anne in Nazi Germany, she shares with him her secret for success:

David asked, "What do you complain about?"

"I do not complain," Anne said."Papa says complaining is an activity just as jumping rope or listening to the radio is an activity. One may choose to turn on the radio, and one may choose not to turn on the radio. One may choose to complain, and one may choose not to complain."

David stared at the sincere little girl for a moment, then said, "I don't mean any offense to what your father has taught you, but have you taken a look around here? These are pretty rough conditions for anyone, never mind a girl of your age. How can you not complain?"

Anne tilted her head to the side as if she were having difficulty understanding. Sweeping a lock of hair from her eyes, she said patiently, "Our very lives are fashioned by choice, Mr. Ponder. First we make choices. Then our choices make us."