The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Tomorrow The Noticer by Andy Andrews will hit shelves in all the major book stores. Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times Best-Selling book The Traveler's Gift and I had the privilege of reviewing his new book.

So when I opened this short (merely 150 pages) hardback book I was very eager to gain some perspective - And I did. The book starts out with this very sad story of a boy living under a pier - homeless and alone. At merely 19 years of age, his mother has died of cancer and his father in an accident. A man named Jones comes along. Jones is "A noticer, I notice things that other people overlook. And you know most of them are in plain sight. I notice things about situations that produce perspective. That's what most folks lack - perspective - a broader view."

Jones gives this boy "a little perspective" on life. He helps the boy to begin reading biographies from the library of men like George Washington, General Patton, Alexander the Great and others who were very successful. As a result, this young boy reads over 200 biographies and turns his life around - he marries, has children and guess what - he becomes the author of a New York Times Best-Selling book - the homeless boy was Andy! That surprised me.

From there the book unfolds as this wise man Jones goes throughout his town helping people gain perspective. He helps an elderly women who feels useless realize that many who are famous did not even start the work that made them famous until they were in their 60's and 70's such as Harlan Sanders (also known as Colonel Sanders) - who created the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. He did not even begin to market his chicken until he was 65! Jones helps a marriage that is on the brink of divorce gain some perspective, some teens who are fearing marriage and divorce, a business man who cuts too many corners, and many others.

One quote that specifically stood out to me was: "You are having marital troubles because you are married." Isn't that so true? We all have days when things just aren't going as smoothly as planned - and simply put it's normal! We have marital trouble because we are married!

He also tells the story of a man whose hat blows off in the wind and as the man chases after his hat he is hit by a car and dies. "A man can lose everything, chasing for nothing." Now that's perspective!

Finally, Jones tells a story about intention. "Five seagulls are sitting on a dock. One of them decides to fly away. How many seagulls are left? 4? No, there are 5. Deciding to fly away and actually flying away are two very different things. There is no power in intention...he is still on the dock." Deciding to change or intending to do things is as good as not doing them at all - we must follow through and take flight in order really follow through on the things we say we want to do in life. That's the hardest part!

This easy to read book is filled with perspective that is applicable and helpful. And so I would like to give this book away!

To Win: Just simply leave a comment in the comment section. This would be a great gift for your husband for Father's Day!

The winner will be chosen by http://www.random.org/ If your email address is not connected to your ID please leave your email address with your comment or email it to me at courtney@womenlivingwell.org with the subject "Giveaway".

RULES: Starts today, Monday, April 27th and Ends Sunday, May 3rd at 9 p.m. Open to residents of the United States who are 18 and older. Winner will be contacted via email.

BONUS ENTRIES: Become a follower and let me know below in the comment section or for fellow bloggers, blog about this giveaway and include a link back to this post or grab my button and then let me know in the comment section for a bonus entry!

Walk with the King!

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