T.A. Barron's Blog, page 16
August 11, 2016
The Journey Back � How a Bowl of Noodles Led to a Lifelong Friendship
Photo credit: Chiiori Alliance & Trust
At some point in your life—whether as a student, after a graduation, between jobs, or beyond—I hope you will have an opportunity to travel. Whether you venture somewhere near or far…that travel could change your life. And the change may come in a surprising form—even something as unlikely as a bowl of noodles.
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many amazing places over the years, from exotic and remote countries around the globe to vibrant cities and wilderness areas here in the USA. And I’ve found that whether I’m in the Himalayas, Africa, or New York City, each place I visit leaves its mark on my soul. The sights and sounds, the wondrous scenery and vibrant colors, and the delightful people everywhere—all have become part of me forever.
A college-aged me with Takemoto-San & her mother � Japan, Summer 1975
Some years ago�41, in fact! � I had the opportunity to visit Japan. I was a fresh-faced kid right out of college, eager to see as much of the world as possible, and hoping to spend every penny of my earnings from summer jobs on travel. Why was Japan a high priority? I’d been invited by a good friend, someone immersed in Japan’s ancient cultural traditions, to go to a remote village on the island of Shikoku—to work, if you can believe it, as a roof thatcher.
That’s how I found myself in the remote valley of Iya, a place where farmhouses with thatched roofs and rice paper doors covered in calligraphy dotted the steep hillsides. Layers of rising mist and twisted red pines made the surroundings look like an ancient Japanese screen painting. Smoke from cooking fires scented the air, and I could often hear bamboo wind chimes clinking in the breeze.
One of those farmhouses, long abandoned at the edge of a small village, was to be the site of a traditional roof thatching guided by Shinto elders–something that hadn’t been done in Japan for many years. My destination! I knew from the start that this would be a truly remarkable cultural experience. What I didn’t expect, though, was how the kindness of one particular woman would transform everything.
Her name was Takemoto-San. A small but sturdy woman in her mid-forties, she had lived her entire life in the village. During my first week, she watched me with curiosity. (I wasn’t hard to miss, since I was more than a foot taller than all the other people who were working on the project. On top of that, I was the clumsiest person around � which soon earned me the nickname O Chocku Choi, meaning something like “Honorable Butterfingers�.)
Noticing that I cleaned every particle of food out of my bowl at the end of each long day, one evening Takemoto-San walked over to me and handed me an extra bowl of noodles. When I smiled and thanked her, she smiled back and gave me a deep bow. That’s how our friendship began. For the rest of the summer, she watched out for me, introduced me to other villagers, sang Japanese songs, and helped me to feel at home in this place so far away from my family in Colorado.
When, at last, we finished thatching the roof, the elders spoke Shinto blessings and clapped their hands three times. Looking from the completed roof, which gleamed in the sunlight, to the many Japanese faces around me, I felt a rush of immense gratitude. But I also felt a growing sadness in my heart. It would be hard to leave this beautiful place and my new friends—especially Takemoto-San. Catching my eye, she said to me quietly, “You must come back some day.�
My happy reunion with Takemoto-San � Japan, Spring 2016
A few months ago, my life’s journey took me back to Japan, where the books of my Merlin Saga are much loved. This was my first time back in Japan since that glorious summer of 1975. Although I’ve never forgotten Takemoto-San, or her great kindness, we had never written or spoken since the day I left her village. So I had no idea whether she was even alive—or, if she was, whether she still lived in the same house, let alone on the same island. Yet I simply had to return to Shikoku to find out. As I approached the village that I’d thought about so many times over the past four decades, I wondered whether I’d actually find her. And if so, would she remember me?
Outside her old house was a lone woman, well into her 80s, sweeping some dirt off the stones with her handmade broom. I walked toward her, and she looked up at me, surprised. It was her, I was sure of it! But I could tell that she had no idea who I was. Drawing closer, I pulled out an old photo from 1975, showing the two of us standing together (along with her mother, who is even smaller). She looked at the photo and then at me—and all of a sudden she realized who I was. She burst into tears…and so did I. What a gift to see her again!
I told her, “You said I must come back some day. So I did.� We talked a bit—difficult, since neither of us could speak much of the other’s language. Yet everything important we needed to say was communicated by our expressions.
When it was time to go, I gave her the old photo. She held it tight to her chest and gave me a teary smile. Once again, I was filled with gratitude—thankful that life had brought us together again after all those years.
I hope that your travels bring you extraordinary sights, unforgettable tastes and smells, and surprising discoveries. And may those travels also bring you something as precious as a simple bowl of noodles from a friend.
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June 22, 2016
Class of 2016: Follow Your Dreams, Make a Difference
Practical Advice for Grads
I’ve always loved a good story. As a kid, I dreamed up stories and poems, sometimes to avoid doing homework, sometimes just for the fun of messing around with words. My first real story, written when I was seven or eight, was called—wait for it�Autobiography of a Big Tree.
Commencement speakers always advise graduates to follow their dreams—and you should. But I want to offer you some practical advice on how to make that journey.
The first key is to know your dream clearly. That means looking inside � asking yourself what you truly love � rather than looking outside. Remember: Dreams come from inside, not outside. They must be owned at the level of your soul. When you are clear about your dream, then set yourself on that path and start walking.
In middle school, I produced my own little magazine with the bizarre title Idiot’s Odyssey. (As you can already tell, picking titles was not my strength.) Through college and my years at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar I kept writing. And while on the Rhodes, I took a year off to travel with my backpack and journal through Asia and Africa. During that adventure, I began my first novel, and I guess you could say it got a terrific response from publishers. I sent it out to 32 of them—and got 32 rejections!
Keep Pushing Toward Your Dreams
Which is why the second key is perseverance. Setting aside my dream of being a writer, I went into business—and wound up as the president of a private equity firm in New York City. But even as busy as I was, I found myself waking up at 4 a.m. to write or scribble story ideas before going to work. Sure, I was aware that doing this on top of my day job, even after all those rejections, meant this urge to write must really be important to me. But it took me a while to work up the courage to pursue my passion full time.
What helped the most was to visualize myself at the very end of my life—when the hourglass of time had almost run out—and to ask, “Did I have any big dreams that I never pursued? Any great passions that I didn’t have the courage to go after with all my heart?� What could be worse than coming to the end of your life and knowing that you could have done more to make your dreams come true?
Well, for me, that dream was writing. Now, I had no evidence at all I could write anything that somebody else would ever want to read. But I knew I had to try. Or part of me, an important part of me, would perish. So I had the fun of shocking my business partners and investors by telling them: I quit. They all thought I was crazy. But my wife and I moved back to Colorado, where I grew up, and I started to write. That was 26 years ago—and 31 books ago. Life has been kinder to me that I could ever have imagined.
Decide What Is Important
The point is this: All we have in life is our time and our souls. So why not make the most of both?
This is your life, your soul, your dreams � the most precious things you have. It’s worth fighting to keep them wholly alive! If you stay true to them, with a bit of luck, you will succeed. And if you don’t succeed, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that at least you really tried. Whatever happens, you’ll have a marvelous journey along the way.
All of you have an amazing power—the power to make choices. What you do with your time, what you care about, how you treat others, every choice you make says something about who you are. Our choices become our footsteps on the trail of life, and our footsteps become our journey. And who knows? Maybe the trail you walk will become a hero’s trail.
Celebrities vs. Heroes
Our society often confuses celebrity with heroism. Celebrities are about fame. Heroes are something altogether different. Heroes (who can also be celebrities) are all about character � the qualities you can’t see on the surface, but are revealed by actions. Qualities like courage, perseverance, hope, and compassion. Those are the qualities of heroes � shown every day by every day people � a caring parent or a devoted teacher or a good friend. Those qualities hold our world together and give our life meaning.
The first hero of my life was my mother, Gloria Barron. She never sought fame. She simply lived the life of a teacher who cared deeply about her children and her community. For over twenty years, she worked hard to create a unique nature museum at the Colorado School for the Blind—a museum where everything can be touched. Blind kids can experience the grandeur of an eagle by touching its wide wings, just as they can feel a hummingbird’s delicate nest or a polar bear’s rich, soft fur. My mother never sought any credit for this accomplishment, and the only reward she wanted was the satisfaction of knowing that these kids could now experience some of the wonder and beauty of the natural world.
She was my inspiration for establishing the , a prize that celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people. For more than fifteen years, I have witnessed the power of what young people can do. They overcome huge obstacles to help others, or help the environment or their community or the world at large. Regardless of gender, race, culture or economic background, these individuals have shown that even the youngest among us can make a genuine, lasting impact.
You can be one of those people, too. Each of you is a force � a package of positive energy that could help the world in some way. You may not believe that. You may think it’s the craziest idea ever. But it’s deeply true.
See your life as a story � yes, a story of which you are the author. Go out and tell it with courage. Tell it with passion. And make it the very best story you can—a story that’s alive with your energy and alight with your dreams.
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June 21, 2016
Kids Find the Magic at Merlin Camp!
A very special event for kids aged 9-12 was held in Boulder earlier this month� the inaugural week of Merlin Camp, brand new for 2016! Eleven young wizards joined the camp counselors from Boulder Bookstore and Boulder Public Library for a week-long day camp full of activities and learning based on the legends of Merlin.
Legendary Fun at Merlin Camp
Each day of the camp focused on a different aspect of Merlin’s magic and legend � nature, potions, and music, just to name a few � but the most important goal was to make sure that everyone had a chance to make some new friends, explore nature, and have a great time together. I believe this goal was achieved spectacularly!
Meeting a Tree Spirit
Listening to some Magical Music
Exploring the Creek
Journaling about Nature
A very special guest appeared on the camp’s last day� the great wizard Merlin himself!
The great wizard Merlin visits the young wizards-in-training at Merlin Camp in Boulder CO
Later on, I managed to stop by to say hello to all the campers, and talk to them about .
Meeting the campers
Overall, this first year of Merlin Camp has been a tremendous success, and I can’t wait to meet all the campers next summer. May you all continue to feel the magic!
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May 23, 2016
Celebrate Reading!
The magic of books is that they allow you to travel wherever you like in your imagination. You don’t even need a ticket� or a toothbrush! The very best stories spark the imagination, empower us, provide comfort, and help us understand the world around us. And so, in celebration of May being #GetCaughtReading month, I wanted to share a little about the ways reading has shaped my world.
Reading as a Child
The truth is, when I was a kid I was more interested in climbing trees than reading books. Like many children, I enjoyed reading great sports stories, as well as myths from the Greek and Norse traditions. But the stories which appealed to me most were about real people, and it was in childhood that I learned about some of the figures who remain heroes of mine to this day.
Image credit: US Library of Congress
I was just a boy when I first read the story of Abraham Lincoln, but he was my first hero � I couldn’t get over his courage, faith, humor, and humility, as well as his gracious spirit. Another one of my favorite childhood books was the biography of Wilma Rudolph � the Olympic champion runner who conquered polio, poverty, and racism to become the fastest woman in the world. Reading these tales of real people � their struggles and their triumphs � was so inspiring to me and ultimately influenced my decision to , and to create , my annual award celebrating young people who make a difference.
Traveling in my Imagination
Given the types of stories I write, it might surprise you to learn that I did not read science-fiction or fantasy until college. Once I discovered it, however, a new world opened before my eyes. Nothing beats a good fantasy tale, because what could be more fun than traveling without limits to other times, other value systems, and other universes?
In my twenties I discovered and fell in love with Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. I almost wish I’d discovered it in my childhood, just so I could inhabit that richly layered and beautifully crafted world for a longer time. And I adored reading the stories of Madeleine L’Engle, an amazing writer who . She, like all the best writers of fantasy, made her worlds and her characters so true that we can really believe them. Her stories entertain us, as well as giving us a chance to ask some of life’s big questions.
Capturing the Natural World
My love of nature has had a big influence on my reading habits. I grew up in places where nature was always nearby, and it truly shaped me. For this reason, I can’t resist authors who have the gift of being able to capture the essence of the natural world. I especially love the writings of John Muir, Rachel Carson, Henry David Thoreau and Aldo Leopold, just to name a few. Environmental education through writing is a powerful tool, and through reading about nature, I feel even closer to our incredible planet, even during times when I can’t be outside enjoying the tranquility of the wilderness.
Get Caught Reading!
For those of us who are book-lovers, reading is essential and necessary, so I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the importance of books and reading this month by participating in my GetCaughtReading sweepstakes, happening now until June 6**. I’d love to see your snapshots of you getting “caught� reading your favorite books. And here’s to the enduring magic of the tales we love best!
** This promotion is now completed
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May 5, 2016
Thank You for Going #IntoNature With Me!
I was so pleased at all the entries I received to my recent #IntoNature promotion in celebration of the re-release of ! So many of you chose to share your videos, photographs, and thoughts with me, I loved reading your thoughts about the , its ability , , and of course, .
I invite you to explore some of the stories & images shared with me through the #IntoNature tag here on my blog, and a sincere thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with me! And don’t forget, you can find more information about The Ancient One, as well as the other adventures of Kate, .
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April 27, 2016
The Enchantment of Nature
This entry was contributed by Zanne Tarlow as part of my “Into Nature� guest blog series celebrating the reissue of my book, . I invite you to signed copies of the new edition of and for your entry to be featured here on my blog!
I’ve been fascinated by animals for as long as I can remember. For a few years, I desperately wanted to be a vet. Between a crummy biology teacher and a lack of love for science, it didn’t quite work out. I am, however, a dog trainer.
Perhaps the most clear ties I have to my love of nature is through my love of mythology. After all, what is mythology but an explanation of how the world works? It’s quite romantic to believe the seasons turn because of an illicit love affair between gods and a heartbroken mother.
Image: Scott Kelly/NASA (CC-BY)
Of course, science shouldn’t be diminished. The scientific reality is often as mesmerizing as the stories of tricksters and weavers. To see Scott Kelly’s photographs of Earth’s landscapes from such a perspective left me as inspired as the myriad creation myths. While I live in an suburban/urban area, I’m lucky enough to be in Austin, where there is a wide variety of gardens, trails, and protected parks. The shelter I volunteer at is right across from a lakeside trail, and some days I take a dog down to the water so I can enjoy the view with canine company who needs the outing more than I do.
Personally, the enchantment of nature goes beyond lakes and trees, oceans and sunsets. It’s the curiosity of microscopic organisms. It’s recognizing how big the world beyond our world is. It’s appreciating the domestic canine as much as the tropical bird. It’s marveling at science and stories alike, and wondering at everything yet to be discovered in both.
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April 25, 2016
Forest Magic
This image and caption was contributed by Michelle Richardson as part of my “Into Nature� guest blog series celebrating the reissue of my book, . I invite you to signed copies of the new edition of and for your entry to be featured here on my blog!
We live in the Pacific Northwest and are blessed with an abundance of beautiful trees!
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April 22, 2016
A Blessing of Butterflies
This image and caption was contributed by Lysia Gilmore as part of my “Into Nature� guest blog series celebrating the reissue of my book, . I invite you to signed copies of the new edition of and for your entry to be featured here on my blog!
I was driving from Rockport TX on the gulf coast to Abilene TX in West Texas in early November a couple of years ago. I found myself driving into the monarch butterfly migration. The sky was full of them everywhere you looked. I drove for hours with them flying South all around me.
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April 20, 2016
Lake Sunrise
This image and caption was contributed by Therese Calegari as part of my “Into Nature� guest blog series celebrating the reissue of my book, . I invite you to signed copies of the new edition of and for your entry to be featured here on my blog!
Sunrise over Lake Michigan in Hyde Park, Chicago. I half-expected Superman to emerge from an ice cave somewhere!
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April 19, 2016
Lift Your Gaze to the Skies
This entry was contributed by Ren Breaux as part of my “Into Nature� guest blog series celebrating the reissue of my book, . I invite you to signed copies of the new edition of and for your entry to be featured here on my blog!
Image credit: ESO/H. Dahle (CC-BY)
Lift your gaze to the skies
Starlight floods across vast unknown
Cradled within tranquil shadows
A single burning entity
Illuminated within darkness
Ancient beauty frozen in time
Caught in a seemingly endless spell
When echoes are all that remain
Evanescence of life
Joining the embrace of night
Diminished into legend
Destined to follow ancestral passage
Whispered tales of creation from sisters light
Imprinted within eternity
Nature is one of my comforts and whenever I am immersed in it (particularly forests) I am inspired to create poetry…The night, the stars and nature are linked to my soul as I believe that they are linked to each other.
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