UNALIKE, BUT SIMILAR

These are not book reviews, but I was struck by how similar themes can be conveyed in such different styles of writing.  I was loaned a couple of books written by Rachel Remen, M.D.  Her books are not like novels, where one reads through from beginning to end.  These are true stories, 2 to 5 pages, from her patients, about her patients, and about herself, each of which say something about how we live.

The other book is a work of fiction entitled “The Art of Racing in the Rain”, by Garth Stein.  It is a story about a race car driver, but it is much more than that.   It is about his life, his family, his triumphs and his failures and disappointments.  And the tale is told by the driver’s dog, a most intelligent Lab.

So how do these two very different volumes show similarities?  Well, try this on for size.  In one of Doctor Remen’s stories (and it shows up more than once) she says ( and I paraphrase),  It’s not what happens to you in life that counts, but what you do with what happens to you.

At the end of Garth Stein’s book, he says, “The mantra that runs throughout the book is that ‘the car goes where the eyes go’, meaning that individuals create their own destiny.  I believe that the energy each of us puts out to the world is returned to us.  We have no one to blame but ourselves for our successes and failures.”

Humor --
Don’t know if these are true, but they are funny.  I think I saw the second one in the local paper, though.

WILL THE REAL DUMMY PLEASE STAND UP?
AT&T fired President John Walter after nine months, saying he lacked Intellectual leadership.  He received a $26 million severance package.  Perhaps it's not Walter who's lacking intelligence.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS.
Police in Oakland , CA spent two hours attempting to subdue a gunman who had barricaded himself inside his home. After firing ten tear gas canisters, officers discovered that the man was standing beside them in the police line, shouting, 'Please come out and give yourself up.'