Ever wondered how it would feel to meet historical icons like Anne Frank & Abraham Lincoln, and learning life-altering lessons from them? How about being guided by an archangel through a warehouse of abandoned dreams? Follow the gripping journey of David Ponder as he wrestles with life's failures and embarks on a transformative journey through time, guided by the Seven Decisions for Success.

The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success

David Ponder found himself standing alone in the darkness, the headlights of a departing taxi illuminating the home he shared with his wife, Ellen, for over two decades. The realization of his lost job and purpose hit him like a slow, constricting serpent. 

At 46, he felt his life unraveling. Despite working tirelessly to save his company, he was let go without notice or severance. Returning home, he found himself in his daughter Jenny's room, reflecting on the years that had slipped by.

Ellen, his wife, joined him, offering comfort, but David felt the weight of his failure. Remembering their honeymoon in St. John, he recalled the promises he made, feeling the sting of those unfulfilled vows. Financial struggles had eroded their savings, leaving them with mounting debts and an uncertain future.

David's desperation deepened over the next seven months. With Ellen cleaning houses and David working for minimum wage at a hardware store, the pressure mounted. Their daughter Jenny fell ill, needing surgery they couldn't afford. In a moment of frustration, David lost his job over a phone call from Ellen discussing Jenny's health.

Driving aimlessly, David wrestled with his failures and the thought of his family being better off without him. Speeding down a deserted highway, he questioned his purpose and screamed into the void, "Why me?" As his car hit an icy bridge and spun out of control, David's life flashed not with memories, but with questions. With nothing left to hold onto, he raised his fists to the sky, pleading for answers, just before everything went dark.

Can David Ponder Find Redemption Amidst Life's Unraveling Chaos?

David Ponder opened his eyes to find himself in a grand room, facing a slightly disheveled man who demanded he sit in a chair and be quiet. This man, who David soon realized was Harry Truman, informed him he was in Potsdam, Germany, on July 24, 1945. As David grappled with his confusion, he began to question if he was dreaming, an idea Truman didn’t dismiss, noting that dreams often carry divine messages.

Truman shared his own struggles, speaking of the immense responsibility he bore and the necessity of dropping the atomic bomb to save countless lives. He emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for one’s life, a lesson David needed to internalize.

As David read the first of seven Decisions for Success given to him by Truman, he was transported to another time and place. He found himself in a lavish hall, witnessing King Solomon's wise judgment in a dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of the same baby. Solomon’s wisdom and fairness left a profound impression on David.

Solomon invited David to dine with him and imparted another crucial lesson: the importance of seeking wisdom and choosing one’s associations carefully. He explained that our friends and counselors greatly influence our behavior and decisions.

David was handed a second scroll by Solomon, containing the essence of his teachings. It emphasized actively seeking wisdom, reading uplifting materials, associating with people who inspire, and cultivating a servant’s spirit. Solomon’s advice echoed through David’s mind as he prepared for the next step of his journey, determined to change his actions and thoughts to shape a brighter future.

Time Travel with Truman and Solomon: Lessons for Success

David found himself gripping the scroll tightly as he braced for the dizziness he had come to expect. Suddenly, he was thrust into a scene of chaos and cannon fire. A rough hand yanked him to the ground, and he found himself face to face with Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of the Twentieth Maine, amid the fury of the Battle of Gettysburg. David, terrified and confused, was caught in the middle of a pivotal moment in history.

Chamberlain was resolute and unyielding, a leader with a cause in his heart. He shared with David his firm belief in fighting for what was right, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of this war—to set another man free. As the Confederate forces charged again, Chamberlain made a desperate decision to charge with bayonets, leading his men with unwavering courage. Against all odds, the move worked, and the Confederate forces were repelled.

Chamberlain handed David a paper, the third decision for success: "I am a person of action." The words were a call to decisiveness and courage, echoing the colonel’s own fearless leadership.

David’s journey continued, this time aboard a ship with the legendary Christopher Columbus. Columbus exuded passion and belief, undeterred by the doubts and criticisms of others. He spoke of a new world, unseen by others but vivid in his own vision, driven by a decided heart. Columbus's unwavering conviction in his journey and his dreams was contagious, and he shared with David the fourth decision for success: "I have a decided heart."

Through these encounters, David learned the power of action and conviction—the importance of leading with courage and the steadfastness of a resolved heart. Inspired, David was ready to embrace his own journey with newfound determination.

What Life Lessons Did David Learn from Colonel Chamberlain and Christopher Columbus?

David felt the sway of the Santa Maria as he looked up from the parchment. Suddenly, he found himself moving away from the ship, streaking so fast that he saw a thousand images of Columbus. In the blink of an eye, he was in a small, dimly lit room with a strong smell of mildew and soap. Seven people stood motionless, a look of terror plastered on their faces. A thin girl with dark hair and sharp features caught his eye and placed a finger to her lips.

For five long minutes, David listened to the knocking and muffled voices from the other side of the wall. Then, silence. The man at the table exhaled and reassured everyone that it was safe. The room came to life again with quiet murmurs. As David watched, a young girl, Anne, asked her father's permission to go upstairs. She led David to an attic, her excitement palpable. David soon realized he was in Amsterdam, and this was Anne Frank.

Anne showed David the city from a corner of a dirty window and spoke about her life in hiding. She shared her father's wisdom, her dreams, and her choice to be happy despite the dire circumstances. David was struck by her composure and wisdom beyond her years. She handed him a few pages from her diary, which contained profound words about happiness being a choice.

Anne's philosophy was clear: life is a privilege, but to live it fully is a choice. Her words, "Today I will choose to be happy," echoed in David's mind as he read her diary pages. Her unwavering spirit and perspective on gratitude and happiness left a lasting impression on him. As they parted ways, David knew that Anne’s outlook on life and her message of choosing happiness would stay with him forever.

Anne Frank's Timeless Wisdom: Choosing Happiness Amidst Adversity

David finished reading Anne's heartfelt words and felt a tear on his chin. He carefully placed the pages in his pocket, touched a rose photo on the wall, and was surprised when it turned real. Disoriented, he found himself in a white canvas tent. Outside, he saw a large crowd gathered around a stage, with a distinguished man speaking passionately.

Curious, David stepped out and noticed the speaker captivating the audience. He decided to explore the tent more, where he encountered a meticulous young man inspecting a desk and a tall, familiar figure who warmly greeted him. To David's astonishment, it was Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln engaged David in a thoughtful conversation about the power of forgiveness and personal growth. He shared his own struggles as president and the importance of aligning oneself with God's will, rather than seeking God's favor. Lincoln emphasized that true power comes from personal growth and forgiveness, even forgiving oneself for past mistakes.

Their conversation was interrupted by cheers from the crowd outside. Lincoln prepared to deliver his famous Gettysburg Address and handed David a piece of paper before stepping out. As Lincoln spoke his iconic words, David felt inspired and grateful for the encounter.

David found a quiet spot under a tree and read the note Lincoln had given him. It was a profound message about forgiveness, urging him to release past resentments and embrace a fresh start. With renewed hope, David embraced the wisdom of forgiving himself and others, ready to face the future with a lighter heart.

What Life-Changing Advice Did David Receive from Abraham Lincoln?

David dug out his tobacco pouch, carefully folded the paper inside, and counted his precious pages. He was supposed to have seven, but he only had six. As he looked around, he saw President Lincoln leaving the cemetery, an impressive sight. Exhausted, he lay down and fell into a dream of his family calling for him. Waking up in a strange place filled with photographs of children, stacks of coats, wheelchairs, and all kinds of items, David realized he was somewhere extraordinary.

In this vast warehouse with no visible ceiling or walls, everything was bathed in a soft glow. David wandered through aisles of items like beds, bicycles, car titles, and countless pairs of shoes. He found himself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things and the sense of unfulfilled potential they represented.

Suddenly, a towering figure approached—Gabriel, an archangel. Gabriel explained that David was in a place where dreams and goals that were abandoned were stored. Gabriel showed David a stack of papers containing cures for diseases and inventions that could change the world, all unrealized because people had given up too soon.

David, filled with grief and confusion, asked why he was there. Gabriel explained that David was the last traveler on a mission to learn and share the Seven Decisions for Success. David would need to internalize these lessons and inspire others to greatness.

Gabriel handed David the final decision and instructed him to study each decision for twenty-one days, twice daily. David read the seventh decision aloud: "I will persist without exception." It emphasized the power of choice, focusing on results, and maintaining faith. As David absorbed the lesson, Gabriel departed, leaving David with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to change his future and the future of others, knowing that persistence and faith were key to achieving greatness.

David's Journey with Archangel Gabriel

David stood in a vast parking lot, overwhelmed by the past encounters that had shaped his resolve. He carried a tobacco pouch, a gift from Chamberlain, filled with tokens from influential figures he had met. As he walked toward a steel-and-glass arena, David realized he was in a future version of Dallas, surrounded by unfamiliar buildings and advanced cars. The realization that he had traveled through time filled him with curiosity rather than fear.

Reaching the arena, David encountered a janitor who recognized him and guided him inside. The arena was packed with thousands of people, all focused on a speaker sharing an inspiring story about Joshua Chamberlain's decisive action at the Battle of Gettysburg. The speaker emphasized how one decision could change the world, drawing a parallel between Chamberlain's choice and the potential impact of each individual's decisions.

David was deeply moved by the story and the speaker's message. As the crowd erupted in applause, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Exploring the city, he discovered landmarks named after his family, indicating the significant influence he had on the future.

Eventually, David found himself back in his own time, recovering in a hospital from a car accident. Reflecting on his journey, he realized the importance of the Seven Decisions for Success he had learned. He resolved to apply these principles to secure a better future for his family.

As he lay in the hospital bed, David discovered the tobacco pouch from his travels, a tangible reminder that his experiences were real. He knew that with the wisdom he had gained, he could indeed change his family's future and perhaps the world.

Can One Decision Truly Change the Course of History?

David Ponder’s life took a dramatic turn when he lost his job at 46, leaving him grappling with feelings of failure and financial instability. Struggling to provide for his family and facing his daughter Jenny’s illness, David felt the weight of his unfulfilled promises and mounting debts. In a moment of desperation, he sped down a highway, questioning his purpose until an accident catapulted him into a transformative journey.

David awoke in the presence of historical figures who imparted wisdom through the Seven Decisions for Success. He met Harry Truman, who taught him about responsibility and the importance of decisive action. King Solomon impressed upon him the value of seeking wisdom and choosing associations wisely. Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain demonstrated the power of action and courage in the face of adversity, while Christopher Columbus shared the significance of having a decided heart and unwavering conviction.

In Amsterdam, Anne Frank inspired David with her message of choosing happiness despite dire circumstances, her resilience leaving a deep impact. Abraham Lincoln shared profound insights on forgiveness and personal growth, urging David to release past resentments.

David’s journey concluded with the archangel Gabriel, who revealed a warehouse of unrealized dreams, emphasizing the power of persistence and faith. Armed with these lessons, David returned to his own time, determined to change his family’s future and inspire others through the wisdom he gained.

His journey through time, filled with encounters and revelations, instilled in David a renewed sense of purpose and the belief that his decisions could indeed change the world. Reflecting on these experiences, David found hope and resolve, ready to embrace a future filled with possibilities.

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The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success

Andy Andrews

8 Key ideas

17 MINS

4.7 (1.8k)

Ever wondered how it would feel to meet historical icons like Anne Frank & Abraham Lincoln, and learning life-altering lessons from them?

How about being guided by an archangel through a warehouse of abandoned dreams?

Follow the gripping journey of David Ponder as he wrestles with life's failures and embarks on a transformative journey through time, guided by the Seven Decisions for Success.