Winners take all. The first read of the year (book 1 of 75). Written by Anand Giridharadas. Subtitled The elite charade of changing the world. I borrowed it from the library on account of it being the book for the GIFTED book club meet up.
Got it. Started reading. And bam. Bam. Baaaam! Punch after punch in the face, in the stomach, and yet another in the face. That’s how it felt reading it. As if I’ve viewed the world facing forward, and all of a sudden I’m invited to view it from the side, gaining a completely new perspective on it. And then the best part: Thanks to D during our book club conversation, I was afforded yet another view of the world, from the back this time, making me have even more perspectives to ponder.
As I sit here, looking a the pages I marked with bits and pieces that spoke to me – after the GIFTED-conversation, somehow these paragraphs have a different taste to them now. I see beyond, or perhaps, between the lines?
“Inspire the rich to do more good, but never, ever tell them to do less harm; inspire them to give back, but never, ever tell them to take less; inspire them to join the solution, but never, ever accuse them of being part of the problem.”
So here I am. Left with a deeper understanding (if nothing else, a deeper understanding of the fact that there’s more than meets the eye, and I have so much more to learn!) and an even greater appreciation of different perspectives. My ability, or perhaps, willingness (?), to put myself in a position to hear what others see, understand, like and dislike, is increasing. Which in turn has me learn even more… a positive spiral that keeps reinforcing itself.
Next book, next book club conversation – yes please!