No Lost Cause: Book Review

Holy Moly! When I tell you I just read the greatest book EVER, you should take me seriously. No Lost Cause, the story of the former President of Colombia, was such an inspirational book that a) I want to scream it from the top of a mountain and have everyone I know read it b) I feel slightly inadequate as a person contributing to the good of our country and c) I need to catch up on foreign news/politics.

A work colleague was reading this book on a recent business trip, and for some reason just looking at the cover, I felt pulled to read it. When they were finished I was given two weeks (before they had to pass it on to the next person they had already committed it to). I didn't need half that time because I couldn't put it down! I will probably re-read it before the month is over. I realize due to personal circumstances, this book may have spoken to me more than it will to others, but regardless - the story of never giving up, striving for continuous improvement in the face of adversity, and believing in change for the better - those things will speak to everyone.

We defnitely have some problems and issues facing our country - our world - and society right now. Five minutes of watching the news can tell you that. But at the same time we have miracles that happen every day, we have people still carrying hope, and we live in a world with brilliant minds, selfless hearts and hidden leadership. It was fun to read a book that demonstrates success, and a country that wanted to reach its potential. That being said, no person, country or society is perfect - but we can always do something to help make the world a better place. As cliche as that sounds - at the end of the day you just have to believe it and ask yourself what you are doing to help.

"Perseverance conquers waht desire does not achieve." - Alvaro Uribe Velez's mother

*Disclaimer: I'm not a political expert - so I have some continued research to do Uribe and the country of Colombia. This book was obviously one perspective - and I realize that. Even if Uribe isn't the perfect person - I believe no one is - but results speak for themselves. And not to get on a tangent, but maybe we could all focus on the strength of our leaders - and not spend so much time airing every tiny mistake they made when they were younger, or prior to being in office. We don't want unethical people leading our country, but we will lose good political candidates that can make a difference and care, if every political campaign continues to spend millions finding the little mistakes or secrets that all of us have in some form or fashion. Let's focus on now!