The Traveler’s Gift, Chapters 8-11

Chapter 8
Summary
After leaving Anne, David now realizes he’s in a large tent behind a platform surrounded by people. He’s in Gettysburg again, but this time, he meets Abraham Lincoln, literally minutes before he gives his famous Gettysburg Address. Lincoln gives David a little bit of tough love, making David realize he has to forgive himself in order to to move on with his life. Lincoln’s words are exactly what David needed to hear, moving him even more so in the right direction, allowing himself to come to terms with what he’s done and how he’ll feel better if he allows himself to.

Ah-hah! Takeaways
“I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.”
Yes! Learn how to forgive! Don’t hold in all these negative emotions, especially if they’re directed toward others. You’ll live a much healthier and happier life if you just learn how to forgive. They don’t even have to acknowledge you forgave them, for the simple reason that often times people don’t know when they did something wrong. Don’t even tell them you forgive them. Don’t make a big deal out of it, just decide within yourself that you forgive them and move on. Holding a grudge affects you more than the person you’re holding the grudge against. Let it go, and feel good about it. Honestly, the most important person to forgive, is YOU. You’re your own worst critic, after all, so don’t hold onto failures against yourself. Learn to move on and strive to do better instead of keeping your focus on the negative.

Chapter 9
Summary
David is now in a place unlike any other he has been to so far. He is in “the place that never was,” you know, a space where ideas, dreams, and plans go when the person pursuing them decides to give up. First, he’s in a section of the space filled with photos of children before he begins to wander then meets the angel Gabriel. Gabriel explains where David is, and reveals to him the things of David’s that have come to this place. He explains that an advanced civilization existed before our current one, but their arrogance caused them to be destroyed, and that our own civilization is on the road to follow. David is tasked with setting humanity back on the right direction. So crazy and awesome right?

Ah-hah! Takeaways
“I will persist without exception.”
The power of choice is the greatest power you have. Stay driven and focused on your goals. Strive toward them without distraction. If something isn’t working out, let them go and find a new way. Don’t let what you can’t do, get in the way of what you can! Don’t give up! Don’t get discouraged. You never know how close you are to success.

Chapters 10 and 11
Summary
Filled with resolve, David is transported to a packed parking lot in front of a huge arena. Soon discovering that he is in the future, and the person that has this arena packed to the brim with fans is him. He is now an inspirational speaker, and people are hanging on his every word. Satisfied and humbled by what he has seen, David leaves after the speech is over and drives around in futuristic Dallas, discovering that he now has a fancy office building, a street named after him, and his wife has a charity hospital and his daughter has a charity protecting wildlife. Talk about a change! Looks like his life definitely gets better in the future thanks to his recent adventure and the seven decisions he learned along the way. David then goes on a drive down the road he was on during his accident in the second chapter. The accident happens again and he blacks out…

David wakes up in a hospital bed after his car accident with nothing but a concussion! His wife and daughter are by his side, and he reassures them that everything is going to be okay. As the story comes to a close, David begins to question if he truly traveled through time. Then… he goes through the items that were found on him after the accident. Among them, the tobacco pouch given to him by Joshua Chamberlain, proving to David that what he experienced was in fact real.

Ah-hah! Takeaways
By applying these seven decisions of personal success in your own life, I think it’s pretty obvious the impact it can have on you and those closest to you. Maybe not as much as David’s, but hey, you never know! Commit to it! Make these decisions in your own life. Strive toward your goal, determined and excited. Be ready to forgive your failures and to pick yourself back up and continue moving forward. Be an inspiration to others with your success.

And that’s it, guys! That was The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews. I hope everyone found it as powerful and inspiring as I did, and that your plan from now on, is to apply the seven decisions mentioned in the book to your own life. If you do, you’re sure to find success!