One book to another

Yesterday I finally finished a great book. It was Richard Branson's autobiography and story about how he built his Virgin Empire... Record Label, Airline, Mobiles, Coke, Space Travel etc.

It was a facinating insight into Branson's life. He clearly has a genetic deficiancy... the gene that should kick in to warn us when we're about to do something crazy or risky- he clearly thrives on taking big risks. Every time Virgin hit financial problems his advisors would urge caution and consolidation... but Branson's solution was to grow the business out of its problems. He once found that he couldn't get anyone to lend him £10 million to put inflight entertainment on his fleet of planes so he convinced Boing to install them free of charge by taking out a $4billion dollar lease on a new fleet of planes. The story was brutally honest though and Virgin came close to bankruptcy several times... Branson was a little lucky in the early days.

It was also facinating to read about his ballooning attempts... first across the atlantic, then the pacific and then around the world. On all accounts he should be dead! Flying over china without permission, ditching in the North Sea, landing in -30c Alaska.

What I found interesting was how with all his wealth and success he stops to ask himself what he is doing with his life. Multimillion pound empire, epic adventures around the world, owning his own island for family holidays, yet still not satisfied that his life accounts for much. Its clear now he is trying to find that life satisfaction by a lot of charity work and good causes. Interestingly he is trying to work with Mandela to gather a team of 'world elders'- respected statesman who will be a voice for the world on issues of justice and poverty.

So now after reading a book about a man who made lots of money, I have now decided to read Randy Alcorn's 'Money, Possessions & Eternity' - what a contrast! I met Pete Cornford around 10 years ago and during the last decade he insisted this is the one book I should read- well Pete, I'm finally listening to you!!!

The opening few pages have been tough going. Just in the first 10 pages I am deeply convicted about things I own & my view of money. In fact, it was such a hard hitting opening few pages that I nearly put the book down but then I read the line 'Most people will have given up on this book by now...' I wasn't going to bottle out after reading that! The great CS Lewis was quoted “He who has God plus many things has nothing more than he who has God"- it brilliantly sums up the theme of the first chapter. I'll let you know how things develop!