The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything (2009) by Ken Robinson, Ph.D, Book Review

The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything (2009)

by Ken Robinson, Ph.D. (with Lou Aronica)

"My aim in writing [this book]," writes the late Sir Robinson (1950 - 2020) in the introduction, "is to offer a richer vision of human ability and creativity and of the benefits to us all of connecting properly with our individual talents and passions." This aim resonates with my own belief and probably that was why I bought the book when I first saw it (or subconsciously I was influenced by his most popular TED talk of all time, Do Schools Kill Creativity? Check out his other TED talks too). As a student of the Word of God and a temporary citizen of the world, I firmly believe in the depths of human depravity and at the same time, I have a high view of human ability and potential. The lens of which I read this book is from the Biblical worldview but let me write this review from the humanistic worldview as it is written.

What is the Element? Sir Robinson defines it as "the place where the things we love to do and the things we are good at come together." I find that this concept is not unique. For example, Jim Collins' The Hedgehog Concept consists of these two factors and another one, namely, what drives your economic engine. And the Japanese Ikigai is more detailed which consists of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. But what makes Ken's Element interesting is that - besides its simplicity - it takes a holistic approach not just from an individual perspective (like Ikigai) or from the business standpoint (like Jim Collin's Good To Great) but the discovery of the Element will not only makes us more fulfilled "but because, as the world evolves, the very future of our communities and institutions will depend on it." In The Afterword, he is making a good case about this. Of all the inspiring stories told in the book about how people like Richard Branson, Paul McCartney, Arianna Huffington, Paulo Coelho, etc. from very different backgrounds and circumstances found their Elements and self-help antidotes permeate throughout the pages (I love the chapters on Think Differently, Beyond Imagining, Finding Your Tribe & What Will They Think?), one subject that sparks my most interest is on EDUCATION (the last chapter Making the Grade focus on this).

"Many of the people we've met in this book didn't do well at school, or at least didn't enjoy being there," emphasized Sir Robinson. "Of course, many people do well in their schools and love what they have to offer. But too many graduate or leave early, unsure of their real talents and not knowing what direction to take next. Too many think they're not good at anything." This is exactly the problem that I see in most of the education systems in the world today especially in Malaysia. In school and university, I was an average student based on the system standards. My teachers think I'm smart at mathematics because I get an A and dumb in English because I get a D but in my job now it doesn't require my math skill to succeed but my ability to communicate well that is more important. My parents gave me approval when I get a B+ for history and disappointed when I get a C for science but as it turns out I'm more interested in the wonder of science now than the history lessons of Kesultanan Melayu Melaka. I studied civil engineering in the university to secure a good future vocation but God ends up calling me to be in the full-time Christian ministry. I appreciate every experience and education that I've learned when I was in school and university but truth be told I only discover my Element - what I love to do and the things that I'm good at - years after I left that 'cage' and enter the real world.

I'm not anti-education (as you can see from the volume and variety of interests that I have and the books that I read) but I'm against standardizing education. "One size does not fit all," said the author. For example, in school, the measure of our smartness or intelligence is based on our test or exam results. If you have a good memory, are very intellectual, and know the 'right' answers, you will definitely get good grades. But human intelligence is not limited to knowledge-based or one-right-answer for everything. Our human intelligence, explains Sir Robinson, is extraordinarily diverse, tremendously dynamic, and entirely distinctive (or unique). The question we should ask is not "How intelligent are you?" which suggest limitation but "How are you intelligent?" which suggest many possibilities. By schooling standard, culinary arts is probably the secondary subject (if any) but look at what Datuk Chef Wan has accomplished and sports or PJK may be seen as a recreational subject but see what Pandelela Rinong has become. Both of them have discovered their Elements in the less known (or order of importance) subjects in school. How about others who have these talents too but are unable to express them because they are stuck in a mathematics group study, language class, and science tuition to get good grades at school which may or may not be relevant to them in the ever-changing future?

"The fact is that given the challenges we face, education doesn't need to be reformed - it needs to be transformed." Sir Robinson continues: "The key to this transformation is not to standardize education but to personalize it, to build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child, to put students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can naturally discover their true passions. The key is to embrace the core principles of the Element. Some of the most invigorating and successful innovations in education around the world illustrate the real power of this approach." Yes, I agree wholeheartedly! There are other gems and aha moments that I get from this book. I haven't mentioned another subject that I'm very interested in, namely, CREATIVITY. But enough for me to say: if you're still in search of your Element and you want to be inspired and if you are in the business of helping others to discover their Elements, read this book!

[Note: There is a follow-up book after this one, Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life (2014). I suggest, if you already read The Element, you don't need to read this one because the contents are apparently not that good. Average. Just find his keynotes and talks on this subject online. Try YouTube videos.]

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Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources (2006) by Martin Lings, Audiobook Review

With all due respect, I believe that Muhammad of Islam is a false prophet, the Quran is man-made and many of the earliest sources are questionable. These statements are my opinions based on my studies and not for the purpose of hatred criticism because, in the same way, my Muslim friends would say that Jesus Christ is not the divine Son of God, the Bible has been changed and it was the Apostle Paul who invented Christianity. They would passionately disagree with me and I would strongly disagree with them. But in the end, we would still be going to have dinner together. Religious tolerance is not about accepting everyone’s beliefs but the willingness to tolerant one another amidst our differences. Our real enemies are not those who disagree with us (I hope so) but our real enemies are those who pretend to agree with us while stabbed us behind our back. We called them pretenders and traitors. These people are not fit to be our friends. Goodbye!

Having shared my opinions, I would like to say with the same boldness that I somewhat enjoy listening to this audiobook. I once saw the physical book in the state library (Malay translation) and I’m interested in the subject but having no desire to read it. Discovering this book in the form of audio in English, however, bring gladness to me because I don’t need to borrow or own it to read it (P.s: I’m currently reading a powerful book by the late Sir Ken Robinson. Can’t wait to write the review!). There are three (3) main reasons why I would recommend this book as an introduction to anyone - Muslims and non-Muslims alike - who are interested to know more not just about the life of Muhammad but the important events in the history of Islam: 1) Martin Lings, a Muslim convert, although he was a scholar and a philosopher, writes with simplicity and easy to understand format. There are 85 short chapters in all and it is written chronologically. So it feels like reading or listening to a novel; 2) The narration begins from the story of Abraham to Ishmael to the Arabs, the religious background before the official coming of Muhammad as the prophet and after that, and how people react negatively and respond positively to his message. These accounts are important in order to understand the birth* of Islam; and 3) Although I’ve noticed that some of the controversial stories about Muhammad in the earliest sources are omitted, much to Martin Lings’ credits, he did include the child marriage, the non-peaceful execution of the enemies and the ownership of slaves. And to be honest, minus the bogus claim to be “the seal of the prophets,” Muhammad is a skilled military leader and very systematic religious founder. One thing that I admire about Islam is the brotherhood of the believers. This book unintentionally making the case.

On the other hand, true to its title, this book doesn’t discuss the theology and teachings of Islam per se but mostly focuses on the life of its founder. And because the author is a practice Muslim and believes faithfully in the narratives of the early sources, so there is no serious argument with the authenticity and validity of its. To be fair, yes Martin Lings was a scholar, but he is not writing a scholarly book. The book is popular exactly because it is accessible to all. Other things crossed my mind while listening to the audiobook while I'm cycling but I couldn’t remember them now (those dates, names, and places. Huh!). By the way, Sean Barrett, the narrator of this audiobook, has done a very good job! He makes 6 hours and 3 minutes bearable - and somewhat enjoyable. Thank you sir! ������☕

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #TheLifeOfMuhammad #LearnOtherReligion #ReligionOfIslam #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Cults & Isms (1948, 1962) by J. Oswald Sanders, Book Review

This book formerly issued as Heresies and Cults was first published in 1948 and was revised in 1962. Between these years, God not yet formed me in my mother’s womb. This book is old, brownish and a little bit fall apart. But do not despise its look, it is well research (for its time) and a good sum up for modern-day heresies and cults that are still prevalent in Christianity today. Some definitions, Oswald Sanders wrote: “A heretic is ‘one whose errors are doctrinal, and usually of a malignant character, tending to subvert the true faith.’ The word cult means simply a ‘system of religious worship’ but has come to be associated largely with systems of religious worship which are heterodox.” Heterodox means not conforming to accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs. Throughout the book, Mr. Sanders evaluates each cult and heresy with the Scripture but as the basic for confessions of faith, he refers to the Apostles’ Creed.

What makes a cult a cult? And a heresy a heresy? Mr. Sanders observes: “It will be observed that in the following heresies, the touchstone of doctrine is the Person and Work of Christ. This is the rock on which they all split.” Let me share my observations too (based on my studies of cults especially with the help of the late Dr. Walter R. Martin). Most of them generally hold these five (5) views in common:

1) They believe that all (except themselves, of course. Hello world!) Christian churches are wrong and that theirs’ is a special group that has the real truth about God.

2) They attack the deity and/or humanity of Jesus Christ and either lower Him to the level of man or raise man to the level of ‘Christ.’

3) They deny that man can be saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone and teach that man can make himself right with God by good works - and by obeying their teachings.

4) They believe the statements of their leaders who claim to have new revelations and/or new interpretations of the Bible or have the authority above the Bible.

5) They claim to believe the Bible but they distort its teachings to suit their own particular beliefs about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, man, church, heaven and hell, salvation, and other vital doctrines.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times,” reminds the Apostle Paul to Timothy then and to us know, “some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared” (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Years earlier, when Jesus Christ still walks on earth already warned His followers, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray… For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect” (Mark 13:5-6, 22. If you read Mark 13, underlines the words “lead stray” or “to deceive” or “to seduce”). The Apostle Peter recalled Lord Jesus’ warning by saying that there will be false prophets and teachers even among the believers who “will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bring up themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). Knowing that there are spirits of Antichrist and heresies that against or counterfeit the Spirit of Truth, the Apostle John counsel us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

In this book, Mr. Sanders examines Roman Catholicism, Spiritism, Christian Science, Unity, Unitarianism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Theosophy, Christadelphianism, Mormonism (or Latter-Day Saints), Seventh-Day Adventism, British-Israelism, Freemasonry, The Healing Movement, and a summary of other cults. There are two things that we need to keep in mind as we read apologetic books like this: First, the author is fallible, only the Word of God is infallible. Thus, we must examine this book too in the light of the Scripture quotes above. Be like the Bereans, “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). And secondly, any false system of cult, since they don’t subscribe to historical and orthodox Christian beliefs, are subject to change and evolution. Therefore, some of the information in this book is irrelevant or outdated. What they believe yesterday can change its meanings today to avoid being [obviously] false. Beware of wordplay. “As we face the modern heresies, and discover that all are astray on one or more aspects of the Person and Work of our Lord, we too must meet the challenge by the intelligent use of ‘the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God,’” writes Mr. Sanders in the closing of the first chapter, “We have been expressly commanded to ‘contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to saints,’ and we must be faithful to our trust.” Amen! ������✍

#LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #CultsAndHeresies #CriticalThinking #ChristianBeliefs #BiblicalTeachings #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

I've read a long time ago J. Oswald Sander's other more popular book, Spiritual Leadership ��� Fully recommend it!

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Transformed By The Written Words #1Book1Week June 2021

Have you ever read a sentence or paragraph that contains such a profound nugget of truth that it jumps off the page and hits you right between the mind's eyes? Bam?!! Sometimes you say to yourself, "That's exactly what I've been thinking but could never put into words!" And sometimes you're just amazed, "I never thought of it that way before. That's so true! That's it!"

Every reader has experienced special moments like these when we're instantly transformed by the written words a.k.a. books. Those moments of insight wake us from our slumber of self-contentment or shake our self-absorption - and push us to grow. Slowly we move out from darkness to light; from stuckness to solutions; from despair to hope. Author of Wake Up And Live!, Dorothea Brande describes the experience this way:

"I found the idea which set me free. I was not consciously looking for it. I was engaged in a piece of research in a different field. But I came across a sentence in a book I was reading which was so illuminating that I put the book aside to consider all of the ideas suggested by that [one sentence]. When I picked the book up again, I was a different person."

"I was a different person." Wow, this line is VERY relatable! I know exactly what Dorothea means because that's what happened to me. When I finished reading James White's The Forgotten Trinity, for example, my knowledge, confidence, and love for the triune God of the Bible grow. When I considered the importance of sleep outlines in Matthew Walker's Why We Sleep, I was more aware of my sleeping habits. When I listened to J.C. Ryle's Repentance, I was reminded to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ together with the call to repentance. That is one of the hidden powers of reading. It can transform us and make us different - and better, gradually - than we were one month or year earlier. Will you emerge from the pandemic stronger, better, and more knowledgeable? Or, weaker, worsen, and remain the same? READ BOOKS ���������

#ServeToLead #GrowingLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #BeADifferentPerson #GrowDontJustSurvive #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.