By Tammy Kling and John Spencer Ellis
The main character of The Compass could be any of us. Though his name is Jonathan, and his situation may be different, we all experience loss at some time in our lives, often to the point of making us unable to function in our current reality. This book is Jonathan’s journey from crippling emotional agony to a better understanding of himself and what truly matters.
The story begins with Jonathan wandering in the wilderness where he is found by Marilyn, a dying woman who chose to camp in the desert and photograph its beauty. Through their conversations, the reason for Jonathan’s pain is identified. His daughter was killed in a car accident in which he also lost his wife. Marilyn imparts wisdom with comments like: “… It doesn’t matter what you seek or what you find. What matters is that you allow your compass to guide you, and let your gifts and knowledge rise to the surface so you can live out your life’s purpose.”
As Jonathan moves on through his journey into a mountain retreat and on to several stops in Europe, he meets incredible people who impart wisdom along the way. They help him on his healing journey that lands him back in California.
“Sometimes you must let go of the life you had planned for in order to make room for the life ahead of you” is one of the quotes in the book.
After his story the authors talk about the lessons learned and leave the reader with several pages of thought provoking quotes. The book is a metaphor for the journey of life we all face, with its ups and downs, peaks and valleys. Life lessons about belief systems, authenticity, self-empowerment, believing in dreams and understanding who you truly are permeate the pages. It is meant to move the reader to contemplate the question: “What will move your inner compass?”
What better book to read the first month of a new year, when people view the last year and make goals for the next? The book is a quick read with deep questions. By the time I finished the first chapter I thought I knew the creation of Jonathan’s pain, but the details were released throughout his journey, which sometimes surprised me. If you are seeking wisdom on the subject of your life’s journey, this may be a book for you.
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