Since prioritizing human connection is the theme, it’s revealing that within the first pages of HUMAN CONNECTION: HOW THE ‘L’ DO WE DO THAT? author Arthur F. Coombs III apologizes for slaving away on the writing of this creative non-fiction self-help book when he could have been connecting more with his children. Therein also lies one of the book’s strengths, because the author doesn’t only portray how he successfully radiates the Laughing, Loving, Leading, Learning, and Living Large aspects that make for a well-connected life, he also gives warts-and-all examples of when he could have done better. This ultimately makes the stories and guidance of HUMAN CONNECTION relatable, allowing readers to forgive themselves when they haven’t risen into being the best version of themselves while simultaneously encouraging them to step up their game.
While much information provided in HUMAN CONNECTION is not new (everyone knows it’s best to love unconditionally, though human connections within families, educational institutions, job environments, etc. on the whole still appear to be quite conditional), the cozy conversational candor with which each ‘lesson’ is provided does make them go down easy. The most impactful insights come from small glimpses into the author’s moments of Truth, such as how much easier talking about off-limits topics becomes when riding horses together in nature with one’s child. The concept of ‘Living Large’ is portrayed uniquely, pointing the way not necessarily to expressions of financial abundance but rather towards not remaining on the sidelines when Life presents opportunities.
Segments of the book can feel contradictory and/or have potential to make readers uncomfortable, such as a long-winded suntan lotion scene with a 4-year-old, along with an emphasis on pranks the author himself pulled while then going on to caution readers not to do such things. As the saying goes, people often learn more from what someone does/has done rather than by what they now say. Still: “In a world full of technology and social media platforms, there’s an entire generation (or two) that does not know how to truly connect in person…” and attempting to help people connect with each other is a worthy goal.
The overall lessons in HUMAN CONNECTION: HOW THE ‘L’ DO WE DO THAT? by Arthur F. Coombs III provide good reminders to help readers create lives worth living.
~C.S. Holmes for IndieReader