It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. ~Charles Darwin
That quote could have been written today – this very moment in time. It wasn’t… and that should say something about Darwin‘s ability to know – truly know! – (wo)mankind.
Being adaptable to change is something I personally struggle with. (Yes, I know, not good grammar but it makes good sense.) I suspect I am not alone in this. I like a little adventure but prefer the mundane, habitual routines.
Oh, who am I fooling. I LOVE routine! I’m not afraid to step out and try something new – as evidenced by my 4000 mile move away from everything I knew and loved to be with a man I met on the rebound. But it about killed me (yeah, seriously) and changed my family dynamics in a way that took years to repair.
I’ve talked a lot about the Before & After. Between Trapezes by Gail Blanke is about what happens in between the Before’s and the After’s.
First, I love the title! My whole life has felt like one trapeze to the next. To be honest, I’m in a a bit of a mid-point right now, as I make plans for my future career. I haven’t talked about it much because it’s not quite solid. And that’s the thing about “between”… it’s still a bit of a mystery.
The subtitle of the book is, “Flying into a new life with the greatest of ease”… and wowzers, I sure don’t feel like my plans have been “ease”y. That’s where books like this come in super-handy.
It’s the kind of book I took pen and highlighter to the very first time I read it. Today, I picked it up from the shelf and it automatically opened to the first entry I’d highlighted.
About failure… and falling:
People like Richard Branson, Cher, Madonna, Rosie, Oprah […] they make it look simple, natural, like it’s no big deal. Sure they fall, but they also bounce back. We stare at them and wonder: Don’t they know that they’re supposed to be embarrassed?
Maybe they do know… and maybe they don’t. Maybe they have a secret. Or maybe they just don’t care.
All of it… at least it seems to me… is a risk.
I like this book because it feels like a conversation with a mentor. Blanke is a coach and she brings a lifetime of experience to the table… her own and others.
It also speaks of listening and watching for intuitive nudges and synchronicity. I love, love, love (!) this kind of thinking. There have been many times in my life when my inner voice warned me or smacked me upside the head and I did – or did not – listen. Not listening has always been at my peril. Not to put too fine a point on it.
There are some exercises but it doesn’t feel educational or clinical. It feels personal. I like that!
If you are like me… between trapezes… get this book. If you’re thinking about it… get this book.
And if you just want something motivating and inspirational… well, it’s been said. Get this book. 🙂
Simply Sheryl 
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