Reviewing The Noticer

Life is like a game of Monopoly. You may own hotels on Boardwalk or you may be renting on Baltic Avenue. But in the end, it all goes back in the box.

Mysterious and pithy, Jones was full of advice just like that. Life can be horrific or brimming with hope; it all depends on your perspective, and Jones had one goal - helping people see life from a better perspective.

The Noticer Project struck me initially as just another overly-sentimental book, marked by a couple cute cliches, but it slowly won me over. In a world of overwhelming pessimism, perspective and concern are desperately needed. Jones, the enigmatic protagonist, demanded nothing and yet everything of anyone he encountered. He refused to stay in guest rooms and never accepted a free meal, but Jones required much. He required that people change. But he pressed on them in a way that was filled with care. He urged others to see life from a perspective of hope.

At several points in my reading, I welled up with emotion at the great change happening to someone in the story. And all the change happened because someone spoke up, because Jones was willing to press deeply into their life.

And now the story moves beyond the pages of the book. The author, Andy Andrews, has begun what is known as The Noticer Project, an effort to get people to “notice” the five most influential people in their lives. So I encourage you to stop by their website and to take time to “notice” those who are most important to you.

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