My Life As A Story (Still Being Written)
Life is the greatest story of all — a tale we each have the privilege to write. In this reflective piece, originally published in the Rhodes Scholar Bulletin, I share how my own story has unfolded, from early adventures and unexpected detours to the lifelong pursuit of writing and purpose. Along the way, I’ve found that the best chapters are often the ones we never could have planned.
My Life as a Story (Still Being Written)
Reflections for Rhodes Scholars bulletin
February 2022
Maybe it’s the result of many years as a full-time writer… but I tend to see life as a story. A story that each one of us gets to write. We are given a certain amount of material, some dramatic moments, a few major surprises, one or two great mysteries, some memorable punch lines, and (let’s hope) a bit of guiding light from enduring values. Put all that together and we have a story that’s uniquely our own.
What sort of story will we write? Will it be tragic and sorrowful, darkly humorous, or meaningful and inspiring? Anything is possible.
Back when we were together at Oxford in the 1970s, I had no clue about my story. What it would be about was impossible to imagine. All I could do was focus on the current chapter, which had elements of a failed romance, a musical comedy, and a fantasy adventure. There was no point in trying to outline the next few chapters — I was in my 20s and everything seemed in flux. All I knew was how much more there was to learn about life. And also that my best teachers were friendships, gratitude, curiosity, sense of wonder, and my longing to travel to wild places around the globe.
Several more chapters came in rapid succession — amazing adventures in Asia and Africa, a huge stack of rejection letters from the publishers who saw my first novel, time studying law and business, a decade in the realm of private equity and venture capital (a realm more bizarre than the plot of my rejected fantasy novel). Oh yes, and there were more romances — some painful, some surprising, and one that was wonderfully uplifting (with the woman who has been my wife now for 36 years). Then came a whole new chapter: As president of the firm, I surprised folks by resigning, hoping to give another try to my dream of becoming a writer. That was three decades ago — and more than 30 books ago. (Plus many international editions and a movie project that has had more lives than a magical cat.)
But the best chapters were still to come. I’ve loved being a dad (and now a granddad), serving many NGOs in conservation and education, encouraging aspiring writers, founding a few programs for outstanding young people, learning to play marimba, and doing what I can to help our troubled world.
And yet… I’m still very aware of how much more there is to learn about life. And still not quite sure how to describe the story I’m writing. Maybe the next few chapters will tell.
