Review by J Gordon -- From Drift to SHIFT by Jody B. Miller

[J Gordon]

[Following is a volunteer review of "From Drift to SHIFT" by Jody B. Miller.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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"Venture capitalists" and "humble people" are not words you ever find together, right? Wrong! In this book I encountered humble people whose stories are brought together by a business-woman purely to encourage. I give it 4 out of 4 stars because it is a well-written argument that compelling true stories of hardship leading to passion, vision, and change can inspire us to live with greater freedom and joy.

I have been caught in my own career in-between lately, when my lifelong career turned from something I love to something I hate. What was I really experiencing? And what are my choices? Enter: From Drift to Shift, a narrative of one person's journey about what can happen when we listen to our "hearts instead of the expectations of society." Woven through her own story are many stories that inspire - drawn mainly from the lives of courageous, curious, and caring people author Jody B. Miller has met. The big heart of this book is the example of people who suffer, fear, or doubt; and then dare to trust and to, gradually or all at once, shift.

I was hooked early by this writer, for her well-written prose and the urgency with which she coaches us to find our value and to recapture a "deep passion and specific vision". There was a pull of suspenseful mystery as well as philosophy in the narration that drew me on as a reader. Miller directly addresses "Why do we stay in professional situations we loathe?" and "How do we rise up from the pit of despair?" Although not a spiritual collection, the guiding narratives featuring prominently in the lives of some of the people profiled include Saul on the Damascus Road, David against the "Goliath of society", and Job. A common thread in From Drift to Shift is that "when we make a shift we see the world more clearly." The theme of vision works here as both a pattern for artists, and a means of self-discovery.

One journey of self-discovery becomes a highlight of the book for me, and although it appears earlier in the sequence of profiles, it is never exhausted as an illustration of finding one's identity and role in community. I am referring to a wonderful piece about the author's travels with other women to the Amazon in partnership with an indigenous community there. Some of the book's overarching themes of respect, tracing of signs, transformation and transcendence begin here. We are left considering our own roles in relationships in family, work, and society. We are challenged to contemplate a shift, and to deal with the question in the midst of our own obstacles, doubt, and suffering: "resolve or surrender?"

In its later sections, the book presents practical ways people have made dramatic shifts in their career lives, creating businesses that make the world better for others, such as iFoster, which combines the benefits of social media and the benevolence of foster parenting. An Appendix - usually the part of a book I skip - is actually filled with short practical chapters that give approachable advice and models for people like me who wonder: "Can I … ? How would it look if … ?" Don't skip it.

Though occasionally reverting to a trite phrase or obvious truth, the bulk of this book is actually inspiring, stylistically accomplished, and varied in its selection of profiled heroes. It can remind us to save time for reflection, that there are more important things than being in control, and that we are all seeking "a sense of belonging to something greater". In my own life as a teacher and coach, I recognize the stories of great mentors in many of these stories. I realize that I am being mentored today by unique teachers with a dramatically different narrative, which gives me the freedom to continue following my passion. The craft of this writer is that she makes me care about people, gives credence to my own struggles, and helps me see that a shift toward freedom and away from the burden of societal expectations is possible. We have "no idea how many beginnings lie ahead."

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From Drift to SHIFT
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[kdstrack]

I like how you highlight the need for vision and also for reflection. Glad you found some inspiration for your teaching and coaching activities. Nice review.

[J Gordon]

Thank you; it made me want to go back and read BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert and to also appropriate inspiration from other disciplines that can work for teachers and creativity.

[EvaDar]

What a great review! Very comprehensive. You have captured the strengths of this book really well. I also really liked the story about the Amazon tribe. I had some problems with the stated theme of drifting in life not matching many of the stories. It seemed unfocused to me. I do agree that many of the stories will be inspiring to some people. It sounds like you were affected positively by the book. That's great. Thanks for the well-written review.

[J Gordon]

I understand about the applicability of drift to the stories - not always obvious. For my own part, some of the resonance was with the concept of feeling called to do what one has a passion for, and then drifting away from the certain calling for one reason or another, such as burnout, stress, or setbacks. So resilience and also finding new fire in the lives the stories showed, as well as in the new sources of strength like a trip with others which awakens one.... Thank you!

What a great review! Very comprehensive. You have captured the strengths of this book really well. I also really liked the story about the Amazon tribe. I had some problems with the stated theme of drifting in life not matching many of the stories. It seemed unfocused to me. I do agree that many of the stories will be inspiring to some people. It sounds like you were affected positively by the book. That's great. Thanks for the well-written review.