The “Humble Poet”: Book Review of Not Okay? Okay by Sheridan Taylor
I was really impressed by the book Not Okay? Okay: A Roadmap Back from the Brink by Sheridan Taylor. This book contains the life lessons and personal philosophy of a combat veteran and suicide survivor. Written as a father’s guidance to his son, this is a manual that could help anyone struggling with trauma, anxiety, and depression. Taylor demonstrates the full potential of Post-Traumatic Growth.
I first met Taylor when he was recording an interview for the improved version of the Before Operational Stress Program (The BOS Program is a Stoic-based resiliency program designed for emergency workers and military members). While I paced in the back of a darkened studio, I listen to Taylor recall how he had fallen into such a depression that he believed the last act of love that he could do for his children was to kill himself. He recalls this in his book remembering the sharp sensation of the front sight of the pistol held to the roof of his mouth. Taylor’s story was beyond painful to listen to, not because I have some over-formed sense of empathy, but because Taylor was recalling a portion of my own story and the story of countless other veterans. Thankfully Taylor decided to reach out for help that day. Now he continues to reach out to others that have found themselves in this tragic situation.
I could not help but think of poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the Day is Done, when reading this book:
“Read from some humbler poet,
Whose songs gushed from his heart,
As showers from the clouds of summer,
Or tears from the eyelids start;
Who, through long days of labor,
And nights devoid of ease,
Still heard in his soul the music
Of wonderful melodies.”
Taylor certainly could play the role of the humble poet. There are truths in this book that are real and earnest. While some great scholar could have perhaps framed them more elegantly, Taylor’s work would certainly be more honest. If you are prudish enough to be offended by curse words, this book is not for you. While you will not run into as much foul language as David Goggin might use, it is certainly there. But in Taylor’s defense, I am not sure if any language could be used to replace the emotional meaning the occasional use provides. Again, this book is honest.
The book is structured as a collection of short lessons. This format makes it an exceptional read for those that only can invest a few minutes a day. While this is not a book to “deep-dive” into psychological theories, it certainly describes the “wave-top” level discussion on important theories and how to apply them. This would be a great work to put in the hands of someone trying to re-forge their life as Taylor serves a remarkable example of Post-Traumatic Growth. This book is ultimately one of hope and optimism. One that can reignite your warrior spirit.
“To my sons: the gods don’t reserve their hardest battles for the strongest warriors. They create the strongest warriors through the hardest battles. Never quit. Swear. Weep. Rage. But never quit.” p. 233.
I was surprised to find such a remarkable reading list included in this book. Taylor’s recommendations run the gambit of Western literature and beyond with recommendations ranging from economic theory to theology. A person could not go wrong by studying any of the books that Taylor recommends. The only change that I would have immediately made to this list is to also include the works of Xenophon (but this is more out of personal preference than due to the list’s incompleteness).
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone traveling on the road back to mental health. This book could do a lot of good for Long War veterans and their families. Taylor has definitely invested his time and himself into this book and his work with the BOS program to help alleviate the suffering of this fellow man. I wish him nothing but the best for Taylor and his family as he continues to work to improve himself and his community.
You can purchase a copy of his book here (affiliate link). I also invite you to check out Sheridan Taylor’s website at: https://sheridantaylor.ca/
The views presented are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Department of Defense or its components.
