It’s easier said than done to be unstoppable.
But when you live a life that certainly indicates you are unstoppable, and you write about being unstoppable, people listen.
Or at least, they should.
Kauai’s Adam Dirks with wife Bethany Hamilton recently wrote the children’s book, “Unstoppable Me,” with pictures by Gill Guile.
Bethany Hamilton also recently released, “Be Unstoppable: The Art of Never Giving Up.”
Both are inspiring.
Let’s start with Unstoppable Me. It’s the tale of Makana the lion who “loves to have fun in the ocean and under the sun.”
And, Makana loved riding the waves — until she got crushed by a big wave that sent her “flipping and tumbling.”
Makana, scared now, didn’t want to surf anymore. But the words of Mr. Turtle gave her new hope and courage. Here’s what Mr. Turtle had to say: “Remember, we all fall along the way. You need to get up. You need to be brave. Go out there again and catch a new wave.”
And, you know what?
Makana did! When she cast aside her fears, she enjoyed an epic ride. She vowed to always do her best to be brave and to be unstoppable.”
This is a terrific book for keiki. A wonderful message about overcoming fears and believing in yourself, and beautiful artwork. Perfect for a child to page through alone, or sit down with an adult and share this adventure together.
Hamilton, a champion surfer who grew up on Kauai and calls it home today with Adam Dirks and their two children, shares her own sources of inspiration in the picture book, “Be Unstoppable: The Art of Never Giving Up.”
This book is packed with stunning photography, many great pictures of Bethany surfing, swimming with sharks, watching a spectacular sunset and hanging out at the beach with family.
Each picture is accompanied by quotes or comments from Bethany and oftentimes Bible verses.
Here are some of the quotes from Bethany:
w “Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you from trying.”
w “No matter what comes my way, God is going to sustain me.”
w “I’m not going to let the fact that I lost an arm change the way I view myself as an athlete. I don’t look at it like, ‘Wow, I did a really good job with one arm.’ It’s just, ‘Wow, I did a good job on that wave.’ It’s all about perspective.”
w “I like the challenge of staying strong and fit. And I love when I can feel that strength carry over into my surfing. It’s such a rewarding feeling.”
w “We can adapt and thrive in this challenging world, and we can bring hope to others in their challenges.”
This book truly reflects the thoughts of someone who has been unstoppable. The photography is beautiful, as are the words that accompany the pictures. If you find yourself needing inspiration, or you just want to learn more about Bethany Hamilton and what drives her, what motivates her, what helps her succeed, this one is for you. It’s a perfect coffee table book to flip through and see what awaits those who have the courage to try and those who have the faith to believe.
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Bill Buley, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or bbuley@thegardenisland.com.
