A story with meaning

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Kari Sumner
  • 349th Maintenance Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  I recently finished reading the "Hunger Games" trilogy and it occurred to me that there were many lessons to be taken from just the enjoyment of reading these novels.

Don't anticipate the ending. Let the author lead you through the story as she intended it to go. We spend a lot of time planning, plotting and strategizing our career paths and goals. Isn't it nice to let someone else have momentary control of direction, even more so when you are not affected by the outcome? My takeaway here is we don't always have to be leading the charge.

When I was first told about this series I have to admit I didn't think it would appeal to me at all. However, when Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Brooks, 349th Maintenance Operations Flight personnel assistant, told me about the storyline, her exuberance drew me in. While reading the books, I found myself caught up in the characters and the story. Each book left me craving the next in the series. A good takeaway on this point is to gather data to make an informed decision.

While I enjoyed the series, I will admit I had a little trouble getting into the first book. Had I not pressed through the slow part, I would have missed a truly enjoyable story. What I take away from this is that it isn't always easy, fun or moving at the speed you would like, if you press forward, you will arrive at your destination.

I recently started reading on a Kindle Fire. If you compound that with being somewhat technologically challenged, you can imagine what a change this was for me. While that in and of itself didn't affect the outcome of the book; the closing of my favorite book store showed me that the ways to continue reading were changing. I do miss the feel and smell of a printed book and still buy some print editions, but have found a whole new way to appreciate reading. My lesson from this can be summed up as embrace change because not all change is a bad thing.

In the book, "The Hunger Games," we follow Katniss, Peeta, Effie, Haymitch, President Snow and others. The characters in the military story are Airmen, NCOs, Senior NCOs, superintendents and commanders. What's important isn't as much who the characters (team members) are or what role they play in the composition of the story or team. The key piece is that the story or team consists of many members working toward the ending of the story or completion of the mission.

In summary, bear in mind that who is in control isn't always paramount to the outcome. Always gather facts to make informed decisions. Remember the pace of a journey isn't as important as reaching the destination. Appreciate that change can be a good thing. And finally, a team, no matter what its size, will achieve its goal when it works together.