Amber Chandler
There's a meme that pops up every so often that says something like "I go to work to pay for all the things I don't have time to enjoy because I have to go to work." At the center of
by Nathan Gebhard, Brian McAllister, and Mike Marriner, is the rejection of exactly this kind of blind consumerism.
, a long running television show, an educational organization, and a movement of people determined to pursue living lives true to their interest. The movement was born when Gebhard, McAllister, and Marriner graduated college with a burning desire to find what they call "fresh perspectives" and "thinking space" to combat "a nagging sense that how we'd been taught to think about our futures was, in fact, deeply wrong." This book is, in essence, a travel guide through their experiences, but also an invitation to find your own way.
The brilliance of this book is that it doesn't rely on one perspective or seem to have a sole purpose. Instead, at times it reads like a good-old-Tony-Robbins-inspired self-actualization book, replete with delving questions like "What truly inspires me?" And, a plea for the reader to "Stop watching your life from the sidelines." While this is an enjoyable aspect of this book--and one that that authors fully acknowledge as somewhat trite--it isn't until the reader begins to learn about people who have created a life they love for themselves that the deeper implications set in.
Roadmap is an intense piece of storytelling when the narrative turns to those people who, according to the authors, live in "Beta version." "Beta Version" is a term the authors use to refer to people who are "continually building better versions" of themselves, keeping those pieces that work well and realizing that life is to be lived as a work in progress, never as a finished masterpiece. Whether that means being a kitemaker, engineer, and inventorlike
or
, host of WNYC's award-winning program "Radiolab," the book soars beyond feel-good mantras and unites us in our diversity, while at the same time recognizing that this life is not the American Dream most of us were led to believe.
However, the most dynamic aspect of the book, the component that makes this book something really special, is the counterculture philosophy that takes the reader down some backroads that just might leave one feeling a little lost. Fundamentally, getting a little lost is the point of Roadmap. Some of the abstract concepts in the "You Are Your Decisions" chapter are striking. For example, think about the statement "What you do today is who you are." Turning that on myself, I wonder, "Ok, so does that mean that I'm an enthusiastic ELA teacher, more than decent Chimichanga maker, mom taxi-driver, late night writer, and an absent minded, but loving wife who didn't buy dog food?" And, if that is me today, is that who I want to be tomorrow? If not, then I've got some work to do. If I am happy with this iteration, then I can shed the "noise" of other people's expectations.
If this sounds a tad overwhelming, it is because it is, by design. The authors though would take that as the highest compliment. As the book came to an end, as all good road trips do, the authors ask, "So what have you begun to imagine yourself doing? Have you let yourself believe that what you dream isn't just possible, but inevitable?" The next time that meme pops up in your feed, hopefully you'll scroll right past, knowing that it doesn't apply to you, you've become a part of #RoadtripNation.
About "GenDIY"
Young people are taking control of their own pathway to careers, college and contribution. Powered by digital learning, "GenDIY" is combatting unemployment and the rising costs of earning a degree by seeking alternative pathways to find or create jobs they love.
For more blogs by Amber, check out:
Amber Chandler is a middle school teacher at Frontier Middle School in Hamburg, NY. Follow Amber on Twitter, @MsAmberChandler.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.