Turning Points

At the beginning of this book is a quotation from Epictetus: 'we cannot choose our circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.' It is a fitting commentary on the eleven life stories and turning points presented in this searching book. Julia begins with our own story of transformation from successful businesswoman to social entrepreneur, in part triggered by the death of a friend's child and being opened up to the tough realities endured by many young people in Scotland and elsewhere. Turning inwards, she found her faith, as did a number of the other people featured in the book, the best-known of whom are the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Bob Geldof. After reading Gordon Brown's story about the short life and death of his daughter Jennifer, one understands how pain can be transformative and galvanise new forms of action. The interview with Geldof is very different, as he is the only subject to come across as a pretty militant atheist but driven to do what he could about famine in Africa.

Two of the subjects are young people connected with Julia's work with the volunteering charity ProjectScotland, and show how young people can turn themselves around from grim conditions. Perhaps the most charismatic story is that of Chris Moon, whose work in various parts of the world -- including clearing landmines and losing his leg -- has brought him close to death on a number of occasions. Summarising his two key turning points and what they have taught him, he comments that we need to take responsibility for who we are, where we are and work out where we want to be and how to get there. Secondly, remember that life is all about people, about loving and being loved and making the best of life and connecting with like-minded people. Finally, persistence is key as one needs to keep on getting up when one has fallen over. Reading this book will cause you to reflect on your own priorities and sense of direction, and whether there is more you could do in terms of service, without forgetting the quality of your relationships with those closest to you.