Not sure you have what it takes to get through the big and small disruptions of everyday living? Guess what? You do. In my candid memoir, I share my survival story — my appendix ruptured while vacationing on a remote Caribbean island – and how I turned the whole experience into a personal eruption of the best kind. I had to nearly die in order to learn how to really live. The Power of Disruption: A Memoir of Discovery tells my story.
This is a highly engaging read. Susan Cross's memoir about her near death experience holds lessons for all of us, especially anyone high on the control spectrum. We learn that giving in to the universe and relinquishing (supposed) control can open the door to relying on our inner strengths, and trusting in those who love us. Definitely a 5-star read!
The Power of Disruption is a powerful story of the author’s terrifying medical crisis on a remote island. The reader soon discovers the true journey of this book is a spiritual one. As medical choices were being made for her, Cross is forced to surrender control of her life, giving her time to assess her life’s priorities. The Power of Disruption is a beautiful book about the love of family, the power of the universe, and what it means to live a meaningful life.
A terrifying illness becomes a catalyst for life changes in this inspiring memoir.
Debut author Cross writes that, in 2016, she considered herself to be a professional success; her reputation as a public relations professional and marketing strategist had earned her no shortage of praise. But as an overachiever, her life was filled with constant business trips that started to take a physical and psychological toll. Cross knew that something was missing in her life, which was why a January vacation to the West Indian country of Dominica with her husband, Jon, sounded just right. It was her first vacation in almost two years, and the author was eagerly looking forward to a leisurely few weeks of outdoor activities—but what happened instead changed her life forever. In painful detail, Cross describes how her appendix ruptured, making it nearly impossible for her to walk and causing her “excruciating pain.” The reality of being on a remote Caribbean island with minimal medical resources quickly turned her fear into panic as her condition began to worsen. Luckily, she was able to be transported to a hospital a long way from the hotel, where a caring team of nurses and a surgeon quickly commenced surgery. Cross describes her thoughts candidly in a style that’s direct and intimate, and her lush descriptions of the island’s natural beauty add a sense of exotic richness to the narrative. During the author’s dramatic brush with death, she notes that she was barely able to control her emotions; however, she effectively relates how the chain of events had an unexpected effect: A newfound sense of joy and gratitude took hold, and the author found a renewed sense of purpose: “My life before my appendix ruptured was such a whirlwind of activity while I tried to prove my worth, that I can see now that I wasn’t always nurturing my true self.” The memoir also includes Jon’s personal account of the experience, which gives the proceedings a documentary-like feel.
A well-paced and often frightening remembrance that delivers a powerful message about living a fuller existence.
Cross animates a compelling and relatable read for career-driven women chasing achievement, success, and the elusive brass ring. The frank recollection of the author's own near-death experience, combined with the honest and often raw perspective of her husband's narrative, is a chilling reminder to those of us with "high control needs" that we do not call the shots. The resulting reflection is both uncomfortable and reassuring: we must begin today to prioritize what is truly important and to immediately utilize the full spectrum of our God-given talents to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Sometimes the universe smacks us in the face to get our attention; to force us to slow down and really feel. This is one of those stories; raw, real, terrifying, immensely inspiring and ultimately life-changing…if you’re really listening to the message in it for you. The author takes us on her wild ride hoping we’re listening and waking up to our purpose before we get smacked ourselves. And she does a brilliant job of that. In these amazing pages of truth, adventure, tragedy and evolution we’re encouraged to believe in ourselves enough to go for our own joy.
Psychologist Rollo May once wrote: “Pause is the prerequisite for wonder.” This is applicable to Susan Cross as she deals with an unexpected health emergency. It is her creative pause moment in life where the endless negative chain of cause and effect can be broken. Ultimately her sudden illness turns into a creative pause moment – a fork in the road – where she can make a choice, continue as is or change. Wisdom chooses the latter. The Power of Disruption is a memoir about decisions. It is a vulnerable journey about letting go of the familiar. Let Susan Cross be your guide as you immerse yourself into a world of hope. It’s yours to discover.
The Power of Disruption: A Memoir of Discovery by Susan Cross begins with the painful and dramatic moment of the author’s encounter with death. While on vacation on the remote Caribbean island of Dominica, her appendix ruptured and her entire body was filled with pain and infection. She almost died, surrendering to the circumstances of her emergency surgery and recovery. The author explains: “The spiritual answer is that in the midst of the poison of sickness and pain, I felt myself leave my earthly life to be bathed in
light—a warm light so bright and full of hope, safety, comfort,
promise, and joy that I wanted more and more of it.” At that
moment, the author discovered how deeply she had been loved and began a process of creating a life that matters, a life of purpose. The disruption of her life was a powerful message that compelled her to look past pain and suffering and discover a path towards creating more life.
Susan Cross tells her story with simplicity and candor and reveals how something happened that forced her life to come to a screeching halt in more ways than one. “That was the day that I left this earth and transcended into another space and, quite literally, time stopped.” In this memoir, the author shares how a dramatic, tragic event transformed and enriched her life. The writing is insightful and filled with wisdom and thoughts to ponder on. I enjoyed the fluidity of the prose, the humor that makes light of challenging situations, but what ultimately caught my attention is the powerful message echoed through these pages. The Power of Disruption: A Memoir of Discovery is as inspirational as it is engaging; a memoir that forces readers to look at their own life story in a new light.
The personal lessons coming out of every chapter of Susan’s fascinating memoir will equip you with the awareness, the courage and the wisdom required to survive disruption and keep thriving in life.
