When I was staying at my parent’s house recently, I came into the spare bedroom to find my mother had left a book on my bed for me to read.
It was definitely an old book, and the dust cover was a little tattered.
I remembered my mother asked me about this book a few weeks before. She asked me if I had ever read it, to which I responded “no.”
Recalling that brief conversation, I took the thin 80-some page book in my hand, and gave it a very quick read.
And, oh man was it good.
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About Jonathan Livingston Seagull
The name itself only partly gives it away. But as you would expect, this novel is told from the perspective of a seagull named Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Jonathan wasn’t like the other seagulls in his flock who simply loved eating fish.
In fact, they flew only for that purpose. But not Jonathan.
Jonathan loved to fly at warp speeds. He loved to test the wind on his wings. He discovered that being able to fly faster and fly to different places, even meant better and bigger fish. But as a result of his passion of flight, he received fierce discrimination from his peers and family. Saying he was foolishly using his abilities to fly.
Because of his love for fast flying, this same family cast him out, and he flew to other places and greater heights.
Along with this story are a variety of beautiful black and white shots of flying seagulls. Definitely take the time to look at them.
My Thoughts On The Book
Richard paints a glorious picture of what most people would see when they view a flock of seagulls. But then he takes us right into the lone seagull ripping through the wind learning how to fly with accuracy and precision. But this story is way more than than.
Almost right away, as the reader, you can glean the message Richard Bach is going for.
Not only does Jonathan love to fly, he had pushes himself to new limits by experimenting with flight. Not everyone will understand what your passion is. Not everyone will understand the need to push yourself through challenges and to new opportunities.
Not everyone will be comfortable with leaving their comfort zone. Some people are just destined to split off from the norm and challenge themselves.
The Message is Beautiful & Important
I love the message in this book, because not only does Jonathan Livingston Seagull leave, which he is definitely sad about, he found like-minded seagulls who understand the passion for flight and the spiritual benefits of flight.
Jonathan was praised for flying so passionately, claiming he could do so unlike any other seagull in history.
The book’s portrayal of going after what you love, even if it means leaving behind people who don’t understand, it’s an important message. I think many people can relate to this, especially those who would like to follow their passion but are afraid they might be judged by others.
This book is about pushing through the norm even when everyone tells you not to. It’s about finding what lights you up and showing it to the world. It’s about finding your gift, accepting it, and sharing it with others.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a story about reaching your heaven, which isn’t a time or place, but a state of mind within yourself. A realization that you, in your own being, are perfect.
Cover Design & Interior are Simple but Perfect
Overall, the cover is incredibly simple, easy to read, and it gives you a glimpse of what the story will be about.
While the images do take up a lot of space in the book, they are a beautiful visual addition to the content. The photos show just how delicate, stunning, and weightless seagulls are.
Why You Should Read this Book
I think this book is perfect for people who have a passion or are chasing a dream but everyone around them seems to have an opinion or a judgment surrounding that decision.
People are always going to place limitations on you when you’re steadfast in achieving a goal. They always will, but it’s not because they don’t think you can do it. It’s because they are insecure about their own lack of motivation to chase their dreams.
This book reminds the reader that, in the pursuit of the dreams, in leaving behind people who just don’t fit into that dream, you will always find like-minded people who are as passionate as you.
If you need reminding that the path you are going on (no matter how crazy or lofty) is worth going on, this is the book for you.
Also, and we hear this ALL the time. Practice makes perfect. Practice gives you the ability to teach others. Practice makes you a professional.
If you feel like the skill or passion you’re going after is something that is taking a long time to learn, be patient with yourself. Keep practicing. You will only get better with practice.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull Quotes
“Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding. Find out what you already know and you will see the way to fly.” ― Jonathan Livingston Seagull
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“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way”.” ― Jonathan Livingston Seagull
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“Your whole body, from wingtip to wingtip,” Jonathan would say, other times, “is nothing more than your thought itself, in a form you can see. Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body, too.” ― Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Read more quotes on Goodreads.
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