‘Wisdom and Things’: A Book of Life Lessons

In this review of Vera Koo’s second book, the managing editor of Women’s Outdoor News, Michelle Cerino, tells us what life lessons she loves in this edition. She’s even featured in a few of the beautiful color photos, found within the pages of this new book! Continue reading to find out what makes Michelle feel like that she and Vera are “kindred spirits.”

我認識顧方蓁已經快十年了。我們於二０一三年五月相識，當時是我首次參加在密蘇里州哥倫比亞市舉行的比安奇盃比賽。我那時就說，現在也經常重複：「顧方蓁是一位了不起的女性，我非常尊敬她。」多年來，她透過（《女性戶外運動新聞》）網站與其個人網站VeraKoo.com與讀者分享她許多人生感悟。如今，

她將這些感想彙編成第二本書《巾幗槍神　意念表現之泉》。 

首先，我非常喜歡這本書的裝幀設計。它尺寸適中，8.5英寸 x 8.5英寸，採用優質紙張，並配有全彩照片。它甚至可以完全攤開，我坐在椅上或躺在床上閱讀都非常方便舒適。身為愛書之人，這正是我所珍視的。 

人生感悟

書中每一短篇故事都滿是珠璣的人生箴言，適合各個年齡層女性。以下是我最喜歡的一些，過去幾年裡觸動我甚深。

「我四十多歲才開始射擊。在持家與幫忙打理生意的過程中，我飽嚐艱辛。」 

這段話簡直就像是方蓁在描述我。我們就像難姐難妹。 

「我經常聽到人們談論他們『有朝一日』想做的事情。然而，很多時候，『有朝一日』永遠不會到來。機會之窗關閉了，人們再也無法去做他們一直說想做的事情。我不想錯過我的『有朝一日』。」

I have many people in my life who are always waiting for the perfect moment to take the next step. Unfortunately, those perfect moments never came. Vera put into words what I have felt for a long time. Seeing it in print, in someone else’s writing, helped solidify my beliefs. 

“I always say you should push yourself outside your comfort zone, face your fears and challenge yourself. And, I believe you should practice what you preach.” 

If you’ve already read Vera’s first book, “The Most Unlikely Champion: A Memoir

you know Vera’s life is the epitome of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Perhaps that’s why I look up to her. When she set’s her mind on something, she doesn’t let anything stop her. 

“You can make your dreams reality. We can all be so much more than what we think we can be.” 

Imagine if everyone believed they could get want they want out of life, that their dreams can become reality. 

“Sometimes, you might take a chance and stumble. That’s life. Get up, learn from your mistake, and go at it again. Life is a game. Play it to the end and believe that you will be victorious.”

For anyone who has struggled reaching a goal, or just completing a task, this quote resonates. What a beautiful way of saying, “Keep pushing forward.”

I am extremely grateful for Vera’s life lessons. Privately, over the past few years, she’s sent me a few. Perhaps I will include those in my book.

Purchase your copy of “Wisdom and Things: Essays From an Unlikely Champion”點擊此處繼續閱讀這篇文章. 

Vera Koo online.

本書評原見於線上讀書俱樂部 《女性戶外運動新聞》.