Introduction

Take Off Your Shoes invites the reader to join a journey of self-rediscovery. A hard-charging CEO of a large enterprise, Feder discovers that he is losing the very things that sustained him over his years of business success. Unsettled by his insight and determined to rebuild family relationships and rejuvenate his sense of purpose, he risks his career on a life-altering physical and emotional journey. Together with his wife and children, Feder sets off for a far-away land on a self-prescribed sabbatical year. That experience transforms them all. The writing is honest and moving, baring the author’s innermost struggles and fears, and enticing the reader to share his quest. As Feder navigates the thrills and pitfalls of his time away, he draws us into remarkable examinations of values and priorities in adult life.

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Excerpt

One evening, I returned home late. Exhausted from the day, I sank down into our red sofa and rested my feet on the coffee table. The younger kids were already asleep. My wife, Victoria, came into the room and closed the door. She had just returned from a weekend retreat with women working in business and philanthropy. One of them had recently spent a year in Barcelona. I listened to Victoria talk about her friend traveling abroad with her family. It was something Victoria and I had fantasized about on and off throughout our marriage. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Ben takes up painting as a means for connecting with his surroundings and himself. What creative outlet or hobby would you explore and hope to continue with after returning home?

2. Evaluating risk. Do you think the Feder’s took things too far at any point? In one instance, on a rainforest hike Ben seems to question his own judgment of risk. What do you think?

3. Ben wanted to learn to live with greater compassion and gratitude. He wanted to learn to be happy and hoped to be as effective in business. What might be your personal goals from a personal journey?


4. Ben Fender's journey effects everyone in his family - which members do you think benefited the most and which the least?

5. Escaping is one way to get in touch with your feelings and separate the day to day craziness from what really matters - how can people who can't excape to Bali incorporate some of Take Off Your Shoe's journey into your life.

6. What parts of the journey do you think you could have managed and what parts can't you imagine doing yourself.

Weblinks

»	Author's web site
»	Read the Kirkus Review

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