by Danile Frasson

The solutions offered to feelings of loneliness and isolation in a new environment, come from a thoughtful understanding home. A must read!

Frasson speaks about us needing “a time to pause, breathe, and view life from a different perspective.”

The story about Tao, a young man who has moved to the bustling city of Shanghai,  is for anyone who feels lost, stuck, or simply overwhelmed by lack of context or location. Tao’s name was chosen because of the meaning, “The Way or The Path”, a never-ending path with all its lessons and obstacles. Frasson’s description of feeling invisible will resonate with many persons who move to the city with high hopes yet find themselves unable to make people connections. Invisibility leaves its scars in the way Tao lives, the way he thinks of himself, the way he felt without purpose.

Using Japanese wisdom stories, Frasson shares the learnings of Tao who moves from being able to ‘let go’, …   through feeling insecure to finally being in a growing place of confidence. There are 12 chapters with a final chapter entitled “The Journey Forward.” It is a triumphant chapter of self-discovery and self acceptance.

Each day, Tao has a new encounter with the bustling city of Shanghai. The feelings associated with isolation and invisibility determine the story he hears along his way. This style of writing pulls the reader in to examine how she or he might actually react if they were in Tao’s situation.  As a hero of this singular introspective experience, Tao now knows how to respond to new feelings, new people and new life events.

For those on the path of self-discovery, “The Hero who found his way” is the book to keep close at hand. Although each chapter is a day, for you the reader, each chapter stands alone offering you suggestions on the way forward. Life is a continuous process of growth. It doesn’t happen in one day.