Title: The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (even when you have every reason to be miserable)
Author: Scott Hamilton with Ken Baker
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2008
Skating as Metaphor for Life
While I would not call myself an avid fan of ice skating, I have enjoyed watching figure skating and ice dancing, from time to time, especially during the Olympics. Scott Hamilton certainly provided some great entertainment, over the years. Simply put, I would far rather watch him skate than read his writing. Not that his latest book is a total dud, but while some of his points were valuable in their application, none were new, and none needed the many repetitions they all received.
Besides being seriously repetitive, The Great Eight is also disjointed. Although I noticed this lack of cohesion in several places, nowhere was it more clear than in the last chapter, or two, which should have been edited down to a few paragraphs. Frankly, if his co-author had much to do with the writing and/or editing of this book, I have serious doubts about his writing ability, as well.
So what did I like? I appreciated the autobiographical information as an inspiring story of how one individual has overcome incredible odds, from childhood, to recent years. I liked the lesson of falling on the ice and immediately getting up—which must be quite a trick, in itself, on ice skates!—as a metaphor for coping with life’s difficulties. I appreciated the value of using failures or other setbacks as stepping stones to the next achievement. Yes, it sounds like the oh-so-trite adage about making lemonade of life’s lemons, but it’s still a good lesson. Not original with Scott Hamilton, but applied well through his experiences in life and skating.
I found it all too easy to apply Hamilton’s message about accepting change. I am older than he and all too aware of the physical changes taking place. Already, I am tired of hearing a doctor say, “That comes with aging.” Hamilton would tell me to find humor in the increasing limitations I face; e.g., arthritis that has robbed my hands of the strength I once knew, as well as the ability to play the piano. (I have a thumb that now points northwest, another that is moving northeast, a fingertip pointing to my toes, and other digits turning left, right or down.) My inclination has always leaned toward fighting change, even when I knew it was a losing battle, so I needed a kick in the backside.
Finally, I appreciated his openness as a Christian. We might differ in some applications, but that’s okay.
If you like Scott Hamilton and want to read about his life, I recommend that you buy a used copy of this book, or look for it in your library. If you want a self-help book, keep looking, unless you’re willing and able to skim over the repetitions and occasional trite applications.
