Does the Apple Fall Far From the Tree?

This is the true story of a man who had many things in life stacked against him.  He was raised in a single parent household after his father was incarcerated.  His family was poor, and many times knew what it was like to be hungry.  When Kevin was just eleven years old, he was shocked to discover his school principle believed he would kill somebody someday.  That prediction changed the course of the author’s life.

That’s just how it is…..or is it?

Up until that point, it might not have been surprising the principal would have a low opinion of the author.  His father was a bad influence who taught him to fight and gave him beer when he was just four years old.  Kevin was so much like his father, that it seemed a given that he would come to a bad end as well.  But despite his young age, Kevin decided to start making some very concrete steps to go a different direction in his life.

One of the changes he made was to give up cursing.  It took awhile, but he made a game of it, and was able to stop.  He also decided that he liked it when people had good expectations about him instead of negative ones.  For instance, one of his acquaintances made it clear that he believed Kevin would never smoke.  Because of that positive statement, Kevin did not give in to peer pressure to become a smoker.

Can a leopard change its spots?

Changing wasn’t always easy.  Overcoming his volatile temper was difficult and something he struggled with.  He states that even when he was older there were times he wanted to resort to violence.  He longed to seek revenge on his grandmother’s abusive ex-husband when he unexpectedly encountered him later in life.  Even though his flames of rage were reignited, Kevin was able to leave him alone.  In fact, he forgave that man.

His concrete decision to alter his fate have had a ripple effect on his life, along with his family’s lives.  He has reaped the rewards of changing his life by having a stable home and marriage along with two children.  He has stayed in his chosen career for over 30 years.  He was blessed by people who were good influences in his life.  And those things helped.  But ultimately it was the conscious decision he made to change that brought a different path for his life.

This story of victory, uplifting success and overcoming should be required reading in all high schools, especially those that are considered “at risk.”  Mr. Elliott demonstrates that no matter how the cards of life might be stacked against someone, it is always possible to change your path of life.

This short 5-star book would be interesting for anyone who enjoys true stories along with those who work with kids.  It would also be great for anyone  who thinks their life is over, and there aren’t any other options.  The die is not cast for the fate of someone’s life by circumstances alone.  What one believes and strives for is the ultimate determiner of your life’s path.  

I’d like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kevin.elliott.794

Author Information:  http://outskirtspress.com/webPage/isbn/9781478747222