Several weeks ago a blogging friend asked if I would be willing to be on his “book launch/promotion tour.”  I like Dave’s writing so I agreed to do so.  Today (Monday) is/was his official launch day for his book.  I’d like to encourage you to head over that way for some great deals on his book.  Here is my review of his book:

Practical. Simple. Easy to read. Well-illustrated (with stories not pictures). Directional. Sound. Easy to understand. Words I can use to review Dave Arnold’s new book, It’s Possible: Learning How to Thrive (Not Just Survive) In Life. If you are looking for the next classic in literature, this is not it.  However, if you are looking for a book where all the adjectives listed earlier can be used, then this is the book.

I believe Dave’s basic premise for his book can be summed up in one of the useful quotes he splatters throughout: “If you lose your purpose…it’s like you’re broken.” (From The Invention of Hugo Cabret)  Without a purpose there is no direction, therefore, no reason to go on. It really is easy to see. We have all been created uniquely and for a specific purpose. To fulfill that purpose is to complete another person’s life, as well as our own. But what happens when we lose sight of that purpose? Like the boat story he tells, we sputter, click, sputter, silence. And when we break, we drift.

The bulk of Dave’s book is spent giving practical advice for facing the detours in our lives and overcoming them. Some of it is what I would call “homespun” wisdom.  That is not a criticism at all. Dave has learned through his “lumps” and shares the wisdom he has learned to cope and overcome with very practical applications. He also shares Biblical wisdom, but not by being “preachy” but by packaging the words of Scripture into sound advice.

I like the way he concludes with the story of Team USA Hockey of the 1980 Olympics as told in the movie Miracle. I love the way he emphasizes coach Herb Brooks’ words used over and over: “Play your game.” Coach Brooks knew Team USA would not beat the Soviets by playing their game. He practiced them hard, using their finesse and speed and endurance to outskate the opponents, especially the Soviets. During practice and the game he kept saying, “Play your game.” Those are sound words for all who want to finish running the race of life. “Play your game.”  Don’t be a cheap imitation of someone else. And while you doing that? Give yourself away.

We were made to thrive comes through loud and clear in Dave’s book.

Go to Dave’s website to access his book on Amazon. Check out the other free stuff that comes with it.

Congrats Dave!