The latest book in the Young Explorers series is Mind Fuel - Simple Ways to Build Mental Resilience by Bear Grylls and Will Van Der Hart. Recently published, this book is on trend in seeking to tackle some of the mental health issues our children and young people are facing. Both Bear Grylls and Will Van Der Hart have their own faith in Christ, which comes through as a source of their growth, wisdom and perseverance in the text.
There are seven sections to the book, each tackling a key theme to building mental resilience, as the book promises: these are Motivation, Wisdom, Battles, Courage, Self-Care, Relationships and Determination. Each of these sections has a quick introduction - the Brief - based on a real life experience or person. There then follow 10 or 11 short two page spreads on a different aspect of each key theme to really unpack and consider how to practically move forward and develop in these areas.
These mini sections are engaging reads, full of interesting stories and lessons learnt from Bear's adventurous life. Plus we encounter the experiences of some unsung heroes who have faced adversity and challenges and learnt along the way. The sections also include a practical Action box: with easy to implement ideas to help you engage kinaesthetically with the topic: to think, feel, question, explore and more.
I feel this book would be an exciting and inspiring read for those aged 11 upwards, to either work though a key theme or to dip in and out of. It doesn't need to be read in a linear fashion as each page works as a stand alone read, full of tools and inspiration.
What I love most about this book is the emphasis on character development and taking responsibility for ourselves instead of quick fixes! The reader is encouraged to let others shine, to value relationships, to seek to grow in wisdom and perseverance - to not only improve the quality of our own lives but to lift up and inspire others. It is recognised that this can be slow work but it is truly worthwhile and deeply beneficial to our whole beings - it is indeed what following Jesus is all about!
Having a vision is central to success in life... For me personally, I have discovered that trying to live as Jesus taught his followers is a mind-blowing and simple vision all at the same time.
For me, that means knowing his presence beside me and trying to love other people. To try to be humble and to look up for God's help everyday.
Mind Fuel for Young Explorers by Bear Grylls and Will Van Der Hart page 20
