Shifting Sands: A Guidebook for Crossing the Deserts of Change

by Steve Donahue

"We had no vehicle. We didn't know how or if we could continue heading south. I was in a vast, seemingly endless desert. I didn't know when or if we'd make it to the other side. I didn't even know where the other side was. It wasn't in Algeria. I knew that much. Was it in Niger? Where does the Sahara actually end?"
We live in a culture, Donahue writes, which loves "climbing mountains." We want to see the peak, map out a route, and follow it to the top. Sometimes this approach works, but not always, particularly when we are enduring a personal crisis-divorce, job loss, addiction, illness, or death. We may not know exactly where we are going, how to get there, or even how we'll know we've arrived.
And it's not just in times of crisis. There are many deserts in our lives, situations with no clear paths or boundaries. Finding a job is usually a mountain, but changing careers can be a desert. Having a baby is a mountain, especially for the mom. But raising a child is a desert. Battling cancer is a mountain. Living with a chronic illness is a desert.
In the desert, we need to follow different rules than we follow when conquering a mountain. We need to be more intuitive, more patient, more spontaneous. Donahue outlines six "rules of desert travel" that will help us discover our direction by wandering, find our own personal oases, and cross our self-imposed borders.
"The sun appears like a silent explosion, a slow motion fireworks display dazzling the volcanic crags of the Hoggar. I stand up and walk to the path and begin descending to Klaus' car. I've made my decision. Tallis and I will travel, somehow, to Agadez. I don't have a logical explanation for my decision or a plan to get to the last oasis. I know I am on the right journey-I am following my compass."
Shifting Sands shows us how to slow down, reflect, and embrace the changes of life graciously, naturally, and courageously.

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Chelsy Healy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of Donahue's time in the desert really made this book! However, I felt like I was being beaten over the head with the 'take aways' in this book. Donahue could have easily let the story speak for its self without all the HR and coaching crap breaking it up.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story telling and use of his own experiences to bring home a great way to look at life- as a desert to cross and not a mountain peak to concur. A journey to enjoy, not a goal to reach. Reading this book at a cross roads in my own life has been very helpful in how I choose to look at things and proceed from my current circumstances.

[Margo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'll keep this book, just noticed it's got the author's signature on the front page. Besides that, it seems to be more in tune with what actually happens in life. I like the way the description of travel in the Sahara is intermingled with life events and similarities utilized in the story line. A good book to read again perhaps.

[Ogun · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book you should read if you've ever had change in your life...that's about everyone right?

[Patricia Ludwiczak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but a little too "pat."

[Bre · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt like a string of Pinterest quotes and one giant forced metaphor. It had a strong central message of mindfulness and being present, but otherwise I just didn't like the author's style.