The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews new book "The Noticer" is a work of love from his very personal life experiences. Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town but the impact of one person on the whole citizenship is amazing. We keep hearing that one person can make a difference, but Andrews actually put it in perspective so we can actually see how it can be put into practice.

The central character in the book is a man named Jones, just Jones, no mister or sir. He has an uncanny knack of meeting people at the just right time for just the right purpose, when they need a friend. That's someone we could all use from time-to-time.

We are introduced to several people along the way:

There is the Wayward, the Lover Lost, the Worrier, the Lustful Youth, the Workaholic, and the Useless.

Each of us can find ourselves in the book at any given point. Perhaps we can find portions of our life in several instances as we move along the highway of life. But the object is to not just see ourselves but to see how we have overcome, to recognize the needs of other people to whom we can speak and encourage through our own experiences and residual knowledge.

For those of us who have lived a pretty lengthy life and experienced many things, it is a great look at where we may have been, where some of our friends currently are, and a perspective on how we can do friendly intervention. Younger adults and teens can glean some interesting points inside of a really easy to read and entertaining book.

One of the parts I really enjoyed are the pages of questions at the end where we can do a personal review, or even use it in a group sifting through the characteristics. Being a recovered workaholic, I saw so much of my life, do-do-do and do-it-now. But it all starts with Andy, the Wayward Youth whose parents have passed on, or as he describes it, they died. What an interesting point of discussion--have things in your life died or passed on? I had to do some real introspection on that question.

But the central character, Jones, explains that he has what is called "a little perspective," a gift of noticing things that others miss. In this simple interactions, Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what they can do about it. The Noticer is based on a remarkable true story that is beautifully blended with fiction, allegory, and inspiration.

Words help us define us. In the bullet point list above do you identify with any of the points that are woven within the story of this delightful book?

I hope you will be encouraged to read The Noticer, and then become one yourself. We all win when others take notice, can speak encouragement to us, and take a genuine interest. Perhaps the way society has become cold and uninteresting to so many is because people have stopped caring, sharing and just taking notice of their surroundings.

Author Bio:

Andy Andrews, hailed by a New York Times reporter as someone who has "quietly become one of the most influential people in America," is a best-selling novelist and in-demand corporate speaker for the world's largest organizations. He has spoken at the request of four different U. S. Presidents and at military bases world-wide. Andy is also the author of The Traveler's Gift, The Lost Choice, Island of Saints and Return to Sawyerton Springs. He lives in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his wife Polly and their two sons.

Product Information:

ISBN: 0785229213
ISBN-13: 9780785229216

Available on Amazon.com

As the World Watched in Joy, Hope, and Starvation

Like most of the world, I too was glued to the vistas of the inauguration of the US 44th President, Baracj H. Obama. It was also interesting to see how Kenya responded. The Daily Nation [Kenya] had some great articles both Tuesday and Wednesday regarding how they say "their Obama". The fact that they killed two bulls tells how much they love and respect the man. Two bulls are very expensive not only to buy, but also are the reproduction of more cows which is a very good industry in East Africa. So for me, it spoke volumes.

One of the sentences that struck me, however, was Kenya has now taken over America. May I say to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga, instead of asking America to give you money or even to loan it to your country, that if you are indeed taking over America, help us pay off the debt that we borrowed to give to you. And Mr. Odinga, thank you for helping a group of Kenyans be able to witness in person the swearing in of one of your own. Thanks for helping them to see America up close and personal.

On the same page of the Daily Nation were pictures of people living in the western parts of Kenya who are literally starving to death, having the 2nd year of no crop production. The next picture were school teachers on strike--can't say I blame them. A few of my friends from Kenya have emailed me stating that the government has become very corrupt. And they voted for change. They too are looking toward a new constitution, a promise that has been on the lips of people for years--but unfortunately Kenya is still looking to try and convict those responsible for the murders and riots of last year. If they did it honestly, it would close down government altogether.

So to those who say America is under scrutiny for the change many Americans voted for, let us also be aware of the change that is happening around the world. We do not live in a vaccuum. I wonder what our own food production is going to look like this summer after seasons of floods in the midwest, a government that pays farmers to burn their crops because prices are too low, and yet others are starving to death that we say we care about.

Mr. President and members of Congress, we say we are the richest and friendliest nation on the earth, please make changes that others can believe in too. Stop burning food because of greed. Remember Joseph from the Bible, he taught the Egyptians to store up the wheat and grains for seven years so they would have when the earth would not yield. They didn't burn of destroy their food they stored it for the day that surely was to come.

Global warming would indicate that the time will come when crops won't grow; global cooling does the same thing.

Remember: Everything starts with one word and one step--make yours in the direction of success.

Power for ....

"I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I am interested in power that is moral, that is right and it is good."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the things that makes us want to remember Dr. King is that he was a moral man. He believed in the vision for a great society that was moral, that was truthful, and where all could feel a place with in it. I'm not sure that it is really possible because there are those who refuse to be truthful and/or moral. But that is not the issue.

For society, neighborhood, or even families to change, it takes the individual goal and determination to be different.

What a great year this is to make the determination for change. We've been saying it, blogging it, printing quotes about it for two years--now is the time for us individually to begin living it. First for self, then to be an example for others.

We all watch each other, what we say, how we dress, act--just live. You do make a difference to somebody--be the example for change. As Dr. King suggests don't want power just to be powerful, but demonstrate your power for moral change. Be the best you in your community!

Remember: Everything starts with one word and one step, point yours in the direction for success.

Later,
Susan Storm Smith

Installment Plan Change

"A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded
men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Education in any field of endeavor, even in learning to cook, may be required but until we are willing to crave for the information of learning, we will continue to have mediocre societies where many live with good enough and just get by attitudes and outputs.

No nation owes its citizens an income, those are the things that are determined by hard work and ingenuity. When governments are willing to pay people not to work, not to produce, then they have become a nation that is usurping the mental acuity given by their creator at birth to become something of great worth.

Let this be the year that those who can, mentor someone who would desire change in an area we can assist them, to empower them to strive toward their greatness. The gift of mentoring, the gift of giving seeds of education and greatness are never without a harvest.

Remember: Everything begins with one word and one step, point yours towards success.

YOU do make a difference

Change You Want the World to See

"Be the change that you want to see in the world."

Mohadas Gandi

How many times have you, like me and so many others, thought of something that needed to be changed and then waited for somebody else or some group to take the initiative to make the change? Certainly others can see what you do, right?

When I moved back to Buffalo, New York I looked around and saw so many things that were in need of change. Certainly the politicians and community see what I see. It's not always that easy. And I have come to acknowledge that when you see the need, it is then your assignment. You were allowed by God to see a need that you were capable of helping to fix.

So why can others discuss the need and not feel a need to become involved? People are willing to settle for what is instead of making a change to help everybody. Having skills and gifts to assist positive change, and not doing anything is like having the only oar for a boat that needs to get to shore, and not using it. The boat will then just move with the tide.

Cities and society cannot change without the people who live in it desiring a change for the better. May this new year be an experience where no matter what our political affiliations, religious traditions, or social weaving postulates, we as an individual take the initiative to make each day positive. Spread the word, one can be multiplied to the unfathomable degree of service.

Remember: Everything begins with a word and a step, point yours in the direction of success.

YOU do make a difference!

Not Just a Neighborhood

As the clock winds down upon another year, it is amazing how our self-preservation system really kicks in. What do I mean? Even though we might not like or agree with the things we face individually or collectively as a society, we subconsciously leave them in the past on New Year's Eve and welcome a new and refreshing time with the "Baby New Year". The demarcation line between 2008/2009 will be drawn. We believe that change will be a good thing.

Thinking back over the years, I remember going to Woolworth's or S. H. Kress Stores with my brother Richard. He loved to decorate for every holiday and New Years wouldn't be complete without loud noise makers and confetti. When he got older, he would wisely save some of his fireworks from the 4th of July to set off for New Years.

New Years Eve during the 50's meant we got to have special treats like Welch's Grape Juice, maybe even two glasses of the sweet nectar. Mom would most likely bake a ham, baked beans, potato salad, and in good years we had soda. Finally eating ourselves to overload, sleeping but arising early so we could watch the Rose Bowl Parade. Tradition that slowly faded into memories.

Life seemed so simple then. As a child life just didn't have a lot of drama to it, even for the adults. The Korean War was going on, but we didn't have social media that kept it in our faces then. War, socialism, communism, uprisings and the Russian/American Space Race was given to the public in small doses. For our part of the world, all was well. There wasn't a consideration for other countries or their people. They were not part of the "table conversations".

Society has changed drastically and social media has changed the way we see as well as interact with the world. We have all become part of the global community, not just a neighborhood any longer.

Change is the only thing that is constant and creates daily choice. I invite you to join me each day in January right here on MUD Splats to explore and be encouraged as we bein a new year, new steps into a world that we have the choice to make better by how we think and how we react/act.

MUD Splats January Blog is dedicated to the theme: Change A quote of the day with inspiration and encourgement. I look forward to sharing with you and hearing back through your comments.
YOU make a difference!

Until later,
Susan Storm Smith

Kid Proofed

When they were babies, we made sure that the house was "kid proofed". That means the electrical outlets are covered so little fingers can't poke something sharp inside and get hurt or start fires in the house. It means that we put dangerous products out of reach--we make the environment of our sweet babies safe. They are protected.

Than as they grow and mature, start to talk to us and talk back at us, sometimes our attitudes towards each other changes in ways that we might think to be non-fixable, totally broken with each going their separate ways. Rebellion on both sides, unwilling to give in. We have again made our homes "kid proofed".

If you are living in a house that is no longer a home, where rebellion has replaced love and acceptance, where guidance has been replaced by grudges--we need to make a change. That doesn't mean that all the rules are out the door, it means that love is unconditional. God loves us yet while we are/were in sin.

Let's not loose another child that we have loved and nurtured because of our rebellion to lead through love--unconditionally. Young people are not "proofed" they should be embraced.

Morphed Traditions

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season, no matter what your tradition may be. Like much of the nation here in America, we had lots of snow and freezing weather. Today it is raining and the snow is quickly melting. I kind of liked the snow, at least to look at. Wherever you are, be safe, be encouraged, and be purposeful.

Reading through some of my friend's blogs, I had to take a few moments and reflect how life has changed in our traditions over the past few years. With family spread over the nation, and one in the military the family traditions have made their way into a morphed rendition of old and new, families merging and becoming their own. After all, isn't that what life is about? Becoming transformed through challenges and sandpaper relationships?!

For me, the Christmas season is not a couple of weeks. Choosing rather to do the unexpected all year for friends and family, sending or giving of gifts for no special reason other than loving the person and wanting to do something special. I used to cook and make treats, putting them on don't return party trays and delivering them. Christmas has become what Jesus intended, a lifestyle.

Yes, there are special songs and special treats, church programs and remembrances but as Dickens says at the end of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge became a man of his word, and he celebrated all year long. [paraphrase]

So as we approach 2009 and we begin to think about this year that is quickly passing, expectations forming for the new year, let us think of a lifestyle that reflects the traditions of our heritage--YOU do make a difference to somebody!

Remember: Everything starts with one word and/or one step, point yours in the direction of success!

Until next time,