Paradise in Front of Me

1/21/2014

The title of the book, Paradise in Front of Me, came to me one day, where many good ideas do, while mowing the lawn. It was 2009, and the search for a title of the book was a frustrating endeavor. On this day, I was lamenting the fact that I often miss the little wonders during my day. I spend too much time worrying about the future that I miss beautiful experiences happening right in front of me. "That's the title!" I shouted, nearly taking out a row of flowers with the lawnmower.

The book and discussions to follow on this blog are designed to help us look for the good in our lives. It is never my intent to diminish the fact that life is never easy, often unfair, and, for many, a daily struggle of survival against both physical and emotional obstacles. To survive and thrive in this world, it is essential that we search and focus on the good and positive in every situation and place. This is not easy, and the premise sounds like a cheesy cliché for those whose challenges are small.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras, I learned the value in seeking out the beauty in daily life. It was a lesson taught to me by individuals facing tremendous hardships and extreme poverty. I hope to use this blog as a means to learn from each other as we explore if or when the theme of the book is truly applicable in our own lives. Thank you for visiting this website and sharing your thoughts. If you've read the book, let me know what you think.

8 Comments

Stephanie Hogan

1/22/2014 11:41:51 pm

Kevin,
You never cease to amaze me. You truly are one of those "exceptional" people that I have had the opportunity to experience in my lifetime. I am so proud of you and can not wait to read your book!

I wish you, you wife, and your beautiful girls all the best and pray that God will continue to shower blessings upon you because this is what you have chosen to do every day in your life for others!!!

Janet Smith-Tolley

1/30/2014 06:58:12 am

I was very fortunate to have Kevin work with my son Byron while he was in attendance at Jackson and he was by far one of the greatest teachers to ever work with him he was always so positive and an excellent role model. Can't wait to read this book

Kevin

1/31/2014 02:28:01 pm

Janet, Thank you so much for your kind words. I really hope you enjoy the book.

Tribefan

2/5/2014 03:59:11 am

I just finished reading "Paradise in front of Me." I found the stories to be sometimes heartwarming, sometimes funny, sometimes frustrating, sometimes aggrivating, sometimes heartbreaking but always relevant.
It seems to me that we should be celebrating the Kevin's and Cristina's of the world rather than the ego driven, over paid and spoiled Hollywood, professional athlete and media folks.

Mark McCaskill

2/13/2014 06:57:34 am

Kevin, I bought a copy from Cristina at work yesterday. I'm already on page 86. Well done! I have heard bits and pieces of your experience in Honduras over the last couple of years, but never really understood the whole picture.

I now have a much better appreciation of Cristina's calm and positive attitude when it comes to stakeholder input and feedback. I can get frustrated when the planning process gets stuck in a rut of hair splitting comments from stakeholders or the public. I want projects to advance expeditiously so that we can move on to other projects and complete our annual work program. I can get frustrated when I feel a project is spinning its wheels. Cristina is always cam and encouraging, saying that it will work out, and the project will advance, and we will develop a good product on time. She is almost always right. I see now how the challenges we face in our planning projects are nothing compared to what the both of you faced in Honduras. No wonder she is confident in a good outcome after having faced much more daunting circumstances. Bravo! I look forward to finishing your book.

I encourage all those who love international travel, community and economic development, education and even foreign languages to buy this book. Those in Roanoke, NRV and Lynchburg please support our local authors like Kevin and get this book. We have a wealth of talent in our own backyard, and contrary to the case of Carlos (in the book) we have the possibility to grow our communities culturally and economically.

2/13/2014 11:33:13 am

Mark, thank you so much for taking the time to share these thoughts. I hope you enjoy the rest of the book.

Don Prem

5/7/2014 07:03:36 am

Kevin (Harv). I just finished reading your book. Mike gave me his copy to read. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading it. I commend you and Cristina's decision to join the Peace Corps and all that you accomplished. The stories were heartwarming and touching and sometimes sad, but makes one realize how much we have compared to others. I took the book to the doctor's appointment today because I know that one of the nurses is from Honduras. It turns out she is from the capital but is familiar with El Paraiso. She relayed to me much of what you wrote about in the book, specifically the warmth of the Honduran people who although they live in poverty and have little are always willing to share what little they have with others, as you experienced. She recalled the beautiful mountains, the shabby houses, as she noted you depicted on the cover of the book, the unsanitary conditions and half naked children. Yet she spoke fondly of Honduras which was her paradise. Congratulations on the book and on your amazing and worthwhile efforts to make a difference in people's lives.

Kevin Finch

5/7/2014 08:49:59 am

Don,

Thanks so much for these comments. I'm so happy you enjoyed the book.

Paradise in Front of Me

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