What now?
Thursday, July 24th, 2008
What now?Ann Patchett
What now? is a book based on a commencement address Ann Patchett gave for Sarah Lawrence University, which happens to be her Alma Mater.
What now? delves into the process of choosing our path, our direction, and our focus, when the path, direction, and focus are completely unknown. Through personal anecdotes, Patchett is able to normalize the feeling of uncertainty we face at many times throughout our lives.
Life is full of transitions, whether it’s graduating from high school or college, choosing or changing careers, or easing into the next phase of our maturity. Nobody’s exempt from change! What now?’s tiny physical size is oxymoronic to its significant, inspiring, and uplifting message.
Patchett is able to switch the perspective of life’s crossroads being scary, unclear, and negative, to making these crossroads full of unlimited potential and possibility. A great little gift for anybody entering a transitional phase of their life.
Some of my favorite quotes from this book;
I learned the most from sticking with my dream even when all signs told me it was time to let go.
You have to be willing to accept not what you wanted to have happen but what happens.
(Regarding Alice Ilchman, president of Sarah Lawrence when Patchett attended)
There was always the feeling when I was near her that I was in the presence of a tremendous energy source, the kind of fire that comes from the perfect balance of intelligence and compassion.
The book has great black & white photos throughout to drive the points home. It’s an enjoyable, pleasurable little book worth revisiting upon the commencement of any new venture.