Book Review: Someone Destroyed My Rocketship

“Regardless of how seriously we take things, the truth is life is more than anything the art of going nowhere”

Some level of adventure is experienced by anyone who has been assigned a task by themselves or someone else, however big or small. Some tasks require a lot of extrinsic motivation, some require none, others lead down a rabbit hole and still others end in the satisfaction of a job well done. As different as these tasks can be, all of them share the thread of introspection. Being assigned a task makes you think and feel. Dushka Zapata addresses some of these thoughts and feelings associated with completing an assigned task, especially in the workplace in Someone Destroyed My Rocketship.

Zapata’s words are unfailingly soothing and gentle, although their underlying message is determined and at times fiery. Such as when Zapata states that disappointing people when being true to yourself is okay and often necessary. Or when she explains how working on your weaknesses might not be the best way to grow. The book isn’t a nod to various forms of self help, it is a collection of curated workplace experiences with a definitive message. It provides helpful and clear answers to questions such as - what is the best time to leave my current job? Can procrastination be good for me? How can become a success? Like Zapata’s other works, it is designed to make you think about where you would like to be and to provide a bout of courage when you would like to be isn’t exactly where you currently are.

Someone Destroyed My Rocketship is a book for everyone who has ever been assigned a task, by themselves or someone else. The book is both, the patient ear for the worst thoughts and feelings associated with tasks and the guiding hand towards the best thoughts and feelings associated with tasks.

Book Review: When Things Fall Apart

“However, no matter what the size , color, or shape is, the point is still to lean toward the discomfort of life and see it clearly rather than to protect ourselves from it”

When Things Fall Apart, is a comforting and substantial guide for anyone who has ever felt at odds with life. Pema Chödrön patiently walks the reader through the idea of embracing uncertainty with compassion. Her advice is gentle and rooted in the realities of life.

Chödrön begins her book by explaining that the moments when the ground is pulled from beneath our feet bring with them an opportunity to grow. She urges the reader to grab this opportunity instead of running away from it. This will mean facing the discomfort and fears of groundlessness, Chödrön contends that this is the essence of living. Therein lies the comfort of the book, the acknowledgement that tough times are an integral part of the human experience. They should not be hidden away and associated with a sense of shame. Instead, if we embrace them we can learn to stay calm, productive and kind through the storms.

Chödrön’s writing is grounded in the practical experience of being in a tough spot. Her advice is not abstract even if it is alluding to spiritual concepts and/or Buddhist principles. She guides the reader through the steps of meditating and of practicing compassion. Chödrön discusses how we might forget some of these learnings when the next moment of groundlessness strikes. She leaves the reader with a sense of forgiveness, compassion and direction. In sum, giving them with a set of tools and insights to accept the uncertainties of existence with grace and maitri (Loving-Kindness)

The book is simultaneously comforting and actionable. This makes it appealing to everyone seeking some gentle but effective insights. Chödrön’s words communicate a sense of empathy and conversation. They helped me identify with various situations in the book and realize that her advice was more of an invitation to practice than a quick-fix pain killer. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to learn or to develop their perspective of the human experience.

Book Review: Your Seat Cushion is a Floatation Device

“I’d like to inspire people to realize they are enough”

Dushka Zapata presents her stories succinctly and honestly in her fourth book, Your Seat Cushion is a Floatation Device. The book is filled with anecdotes and nuggets of wisdom. Yet, it does not feel overwhelming, therein lies the charm of the book - it’s simplicity.

Zapata’s stories are often centered around the day-to-day experience of human existence - dinner, heartbreaks, dates, friendships and much more. However, quite often her perspective of it is not as commonplace. It is more eloquent and often deeper. It makes the reader ponder and become more aware of the texture of their life, making the reading experience seem cathartic at some points.

Overall the book is a friendly roadmap for the curious. It provides a window into the valleys and peaks of life, as experienced by the author. Thereby encouraging the reader to take a leaf from her book, breathe deeply and experience life affectionately and skillfully.