Customer Reviews

The Way of Ping: Journey to the Great/ A Frog in Search of a new Pond

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am not one for "pop psychology" and I feel this book falls into that category. Everything that is talked about in this book seems to me to be common sense. I kept hearing things like "the other man's grass is always greener", "slow and steady wins the race"; empty platitudes that you hear often. I learned nothing new from reading this book.

Oh, my. Everyone here raves about "what a great idea this is", "reminds me of...", "just like", "similar to ...."

Yeah, well that's the trouble. It IS similar to....

And this "Ping the Frog" is no traditional fairy tale character which make ME think it was the product of some WISEGUY, sitting around thinking, "H-m-m-m-, how can I write one of those crappy, throw-away mis-management books, without an original thought in MY head, and still make a bundle? I know! I'll STEAL really good concept, and then produce not one, but TWO books, and then try to spin off some marketing on the merchandising!

Isn't America great?"

Folks, boycott bad writing and thievery. Re-read "Who Moved My Cheese".

Ping is intended to be a parable about 'realizing your true nature and never-ending potential.' An effective parable has literary merit, and is driven by metaphor. In this case, the story of frogs seeking enlightenment is a transparent vehicle to provide the hero, Ping, with opportunities to lecture on a kind of stew of Taoism, Buddhism, Zen, and Norman Vincent Peale. The writing is poor and the lectures are tedious.

Sorry, but for this reader this is not a successful book.

Sometimes the simplest lessons in life tend to be the most profound and thought provoking. "Ping: A Frog in Search of a New Pond, by Stuart Avery Gold," is a story in parable form that asks us to consider change, overcome obstacles and experience spiritual and emotional growth. Ping was a frog who was simply content to while away the time dreaming of being the best he could be without really doing a thing about it. There was no doubt about it, he did have talent. However, without the encouragement to move forward he would always remain a big frog in a small pond.

Change is not easy, for some it remains an impossibility for some because they are afraid and without encouragement their lives may become stagnant. Ping was much the same until he met Owl, the one creature who would encourage him to become the one that he was meant to be. Ping begins to grow and learns many lessons along the way. After thanking him for his lessons learned Owl replies, "It is not what you have learned, but what you do with it that will create your difference. You can fulfill your destiny by helping others."

This book was a quick read, but one that can be picked up time and time again for encouragement. Each chapter has a lovely little drawing with a thought to reflect upon. "If the path you travel has no obstacles, it leads to nowhere." It was a simple book, at times reminiscent of the anticipation of opening a Chinese fortune cookie, but many will find it much more refreshing than books that lay out ways to "improve" our lives in a certain number of regimented steps. I found it to be an especially comfortable and cozy book.

Ping once learned it was necessary to change, but he couldn't do so without overcoming many obstacles. He had to work very hard, but with the help of his mentor, Owl, he was able to reach for the skies and become the best he could be. Things had changed at the pond. Toad began to challenge Ping and confront him, claiming he lied about the fact that the little pond wasn't even a drop in the bucket in comparison to the Great Ocean. In "Ping: Journey to the Great Ocean," Stuart Avery Gold attempts to recreate the magic of his bestseller, "Ping: A Frog in Search of a New Pond. "

As Toad became increasingly nasty, the crowd began to pelt Ping with bog balls. In spite of the rhetoric, two of the younger frogs, Daikon and Hodo were not swayed. They believed in Ping and the ocean he talked about. Daikon began to speak: "We are all creators of our own dreams and we make our own decisions. You must do what you believe in." It was now time for Ping to become a mentor and teach and lead his young charges in their quest to visit the Great Ocean.

I enjoyed this sequel, but it wasn't quite as magical as Gold's first Ping book. There are more spoken adages than in the first book, where many were simply "understood." Once again it is the type of book one can read time and time again to encourage oneself to strive for excellence and leave such emotions as fear and frustration behind. If you enjoyed the first Ping, you'll want to add this one to your list!

I've read all of Stuart Avery Gold's books. I've followed his writings from his days as the COO of The Republic of Tea, when his mastery of words and creative media helped make that tea company into one of the most recognized brands in the world marketplace. That's what Stuart Avery Gold does everyday... he turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

His latest Ping adventure is a slender volume that can be quickly read, but can never be forgotten.

The passages about climbing to the top... using trust and confidence... letting go... giving up one's safety net... about how the only real danger one has to fear is in not believing in your true self... these are just some of Gold's insights that will stay with me.

This short book gave me a boost when I needed one."The Way of Ping" captured my imagination and my enthusiasm.

Once again, this short but powerful quick-read is pure Gold. Stuart Avery Gold, that is. As Daikon would say, Stuart, "I get it... I get it." Well, I did get it. And, I thank you.

From the outset, readers might think that this is a book for children. In actuality, this is a new-age book about Ping, and Ping being metaphoric about every and each of us that is seeking for meaning of life. Some of us are perfectly contented with the way they are and they are happy enough pottering around the well. However, there are some of us that are curious about what's beyond the well and they would go searching. Naturally, there are times when we aren't able to see beyond the woods and there are times when we are just about to give in and give out because to get to our destinations can prove difficult and almost impossible. Then, someone comes along (in this instance, in the form of an ageing but wise Owl) who would give us inspiration and dispense with anecdotes about life which subsequently strengthen our resolve to keep on going when the going gets tough. For many of us that believe in good-ending, this book brings us back to reality. Just when we think that everything is looking up, everything go pear-shaped. That's when we are at the cross-road (not at the cliff) deciding if we shall continue going or turning back. The book ends open-endedly and it's entirely up to you to decide what you wish to do with your own lives. I applaud the author for being courageous in doing so rather than being condescending, in preaching the readers to do what he deems is the right thing to do. On the contrary, he empowers the readers to actualise their actions which they see fit. Highly recommended and truly inspirational!

I loved reading Ping, it made me laugh and think and it made me realize how to advise my employees on the importance of accepting risk and dealing with change. This book is especially rich in wisdom and insight for graduates, supervisors, managers and executives and can help create a more supportive workplace. As a Christian, I came away with many insights that I had not realized before. The story of how Ping is mentored by a wise owl is an upliifting one, owl's teachings like those of Jesus, Moses, Mohammed and other prophets and spiritual leaders is an invitation for us all to become living examples for others to follow. This is a small book with a huge message that I invite all to discover.

Ping is an amusing and enlightening story that reveals profound truths about how to deal with change in your work and in your life In this simple parable Ping is a frog in search of a new pond who confronts his "stuckness," and overcomes his fear by discovering and welcoming the power of change. The lesson from this witty and endearing read is that change is ultimately about taking action and control of our own destiny. It is something that we all have the power to do. The question is, "Will
we?" The story of Ping is a tale of empowerment. That empowerment is a gift we can give to our selves, not something that is bestowed by others. At 90 pages this book is a life manual that should be part of every curriculum. As a business enhancement it is inspiring. If you are in management of a company that goes through changes, you need not only to read this, but give it to your employees too.

I loved this book for it's postive motovational message and lessons that one can apply to their career and life. The story follows a frog named Ping who is forced to find a new pond when the one that has offered him security for so long has dried up. The journey he takes is inspirational and teaches us that despite great obsticales our goals are always within reach if we would learn to reach within. Like Who Moved My Cheese, Ping is a book that will be enjoyed by recent graduates and seasoned business professionals.