Gifted hands; A must read book!
“Gifted hands by Ben Carson”.
Photo credit: Image taken by me using iPhone 6s
Gifted hands is a very popular book, it's one of the most talked about books in Africa. I remember during my first year in the university, I was gifted this book by a friend as a way to congratulate me. As a little girl, I had little interest in reading even though I love inspiring books, I was more particular about getting As and Bs and barely had time to read anything aside from school books. Fast forward to my 4th year in school with the ASUU strike of more than 6 months now, Books have become my companion, and Reading, my stress relief mechanism.
The book GIFTED HANDS reminded me so much of myself. I mean, from the first 10 chapters, I've come to realize that we are not the first to experience whatever we're currently going through.
People were there before you, and life keeps moving.
Ben Carson is one of the Bestselling authors in the world, He is a professor and director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at John's Hopkins Medical Institution. He is a role model to many including me.
In Gifted Hands, He tells the inspiring story of how he moved from a very rough childhood with a single parent to becoming a professor and director of pediatric neurosurgery.
Photo credit: Image taken by me using iPhone 6s.
The book was published in 1990, and it has 22 chapters and 224 pages. I'm halfway to the end of the book and so far, I've marked out lessons I deemed important to share.
BOOK SUMMARY AND LESSONS
1 Goodbye, Daddy
Here, Ben explained how he had to say goodbye to his dad without being aware of the reason for that. Actually, his mother endured the father's bad behavior for so long not until she found out he had a second family and this led to their divorce. Though Sonya Carson (Ben's mother) didn't fully explain to her children the reason for her decision to divorce, Ben and Curtis (his brother) trusted her regardless.
“Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than hanging on”- Eckhart Tolle
2 Carrying The Load
This chapter narrated the story of Sonya Carson, a very strong woman who didn't allow the world to dictate her life. A lot of times she told Ben “We will be fine”. Sonya Carson demonstrated faith on a very high level.
“True wealth is not of the pocket, but of the heart and the mind”- Kevin Gates.
Photo credit: Image taken by me using iPhone 6s.
Personally, I could relate to this chapter because I've had a single parent since I was 13 years old. Whenever Sonya mentioned “We will be fine”, I could hear my mom talking to me as well. I will be 23 in a few months and I know what it has taken my mom to get me and my siblings here.
“Choice is the greatest power in the universe, and it is all yours”- John Patrick Hickey.
3 Eight Years Old
Ben said, “Being 8 is fantastic because when you're 8, you don't have any responsibilities. Everybody takes care of you, and you can just play and have fun”. True yeah? lol.
He also said, “It's not always going to be this way. So I'm going to enjoy life now”.
“Life is beautiful, enjoy every moment of it”- Patti Hansen.
This is one quote I've always lived with, I understood it better when I got into the university. I can't go back to being 20!
Live your best life now!
4 Two Positives
Ben talked about how he suffered humiliation from his classmates yet was motivated to do more, to improve, to become better.
I noted the part where Sonya Carson said “The doors of the world are open to people who can read”. I don't know if she meant;
Readers are Leaders
The author also explained how his little wins prompted him to do more. Getting a D in maths made him believe he could get an A.
Indeed little things matter
5 Big Boy's Problem
After I read this chapter, I thought about the saying “If you can't beat them, you join them”. I guess that saying came from a Nigerian movie I can't remember.
Ben had to join the “big boys” because he couldn't beat them. Joining the big boys made his move from the top student in the class to a C student.
So I don't know if it's safe to say if you can't beat them, you beat them.
6 A Terrible Temper
Even though, I strongly believe Ben’s temper was more biological than psychological. Indeed, we can't cheat nature.
Ben explained how getting angry gives people control over you and I agree with him.
In his words, “If people could make me angry, they could control me. Why should I give someone else such power over my life”
I got strength from those words.
7 ROTC Triumph
This chapter made me appreciate mentorship. I strongly believe Ben achieved a lot of his dreams because he had good mentors. Curtis, his brother was one of them.
“Every great achiever is inspired by a great mentor”- Lailah Gifty Akita
Who is your mentor? A question for you.
8 College Choice
This chapter should prolly be my best (I'll find out soon). Ben had to figure out a way to outstand amid smart minds and sharp brains like himself. He realized he needed God to take the wheel. All the questions that were asked on his final examination were in his dreams.
God comes through for his own.
I've had a familiar dream while preparing for my second-semester examination in my first year at the university where I saw some pages of my textbook in my dream. lol, All the questions from that examination came from those pages.
Ben reminded me of myself a lot
9 Changing The Rules
Do we have to follow the rules all the time?
According to Ben, “We don't necessarily have to play by the strict rule if we can find a way that works better, as long as it's reasonable and doesn't hurt anybody”.
“Creativity is learning to do something with a different perspective”- Someone told Ben.
In summary, These are some of the lessons I got from the book, and to think I'm just halfway to the end.
Photo credit: Image taken by me using iPhone 6s.
We can do anything we put our minds to.
I will recommend this book to everyone who wishes to be successful, especially children and young adults. Ben has proven that Great things start with baby steps.
Photo credit: Image taken by me using iPhone 6s.
I will make a complete review when I'm done reading. Till then, bye for now.
Thank you for reading.
I hope you're inspired though.
Feel free to share your thoughts.
PS : All photos on this article were taken with my phone, iphone 6s.
This is great. Thanks alot for sharing this beautiful book from my mentor, Dr Ben Carson. I have admired him from my childhood and he has been a great inspiration to me. Gifted hands is one of his books I read and from time to time, I still read it over and over again and still derive more joy and motivation reading it.
His journey from a humble background to stardom inspires me a whole lot. Through him I renew my courage that anybody can make it. With determination and Grace of God, we will surely get there.
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. I love it.
Exactly, There is a strength derived from reading the book. Dr. Ben is indeed a great man indeed. Thank you for stopping by Dickson. You really like Ben, I've observed. lol. @alidickson
Smiles😁
Many thanks my dear friend
Wow! You’ve done very well. I just got to know about this community today, luckily your article is the first book review I read.
I’ve heard so much about “ben Carson” “gifted hands” from friends and even my mom (she’s a very big fan) although I’ve never read it, I know much about the book because it has been narrated to me so many times.
Maybe tomorrow, or the day, or next month, I’ll also read this awesome book. Thanks for recommending it.
One of the important things to do when you read a book is to learn lessons from it, and I’m glad you learned yours.
Thanks for sharing.
Oh dear, you're welcome to the family. I'm glad you enjoyed my review. And yes, you should read it. It's worth everything. Thank you for stopping by❤️
What a wonderful review. Really the story of Ben Carson inspire me. Really it doesn't matter where you are from, what matters is where you are going. Thanks for sharing ❤️