Rating: 
Summary: a book for all ages
Review: Written in an engaging, easygoing style, and sometimes with marvelous humor, the basic principles outlined in this book stand the test of time and are invaluable to getting the most out of every facet of one's life.
It is also part workbook, as after many sections it asks insightful questions, and gives one the page space to answer, sharpening one's self-knowledge, goals, and much more.
The selected quotes from other sources, most of them from the Bible, are wonderful, and also adding much to the book is the final poem, "The Race", by D.H. Groberg.Chapter 1, "Choose", is one of the most important, as every moment of our lives we make choices, and with every choice add another brush-stroke to the portrait of our life. Here Mr. Hehn delineates the consequences of our choices, with our attitudes, habits, and relationships, and it is the latter that is illustrated with one of Larry's many clever cartoons, giving the reason we no longer have unicorns living among us.
Chapter 4, "Commit", is also one of my favorites, with a very important point made on page 51: "Often we place too much emphasis on the desired results, and not enough on the person we need to be to achieve and support those results". There are many sports examples given, and how they directly relate to the "game of life". Complacency and mediocrity won't win you any medals or satisfaction, on or off the playing field, and though it takes courage and determination to make these "Nine Keys" work, the reward is mighty, and will lead to making the fullest use of your capabilities, and also to being a better human being. More than just for adults, this would be a terrific book for a family to read and discuss together, and I highly recommend it for teenagers or for any adult who is mentoring a youngster. The language is simple enough for a young person to comprehend, and Larry tells many stories from his school days that a teen would relate to; it is never too soon to get started on the right path to success and the ethics of living a good, productive life.
It is never too late either, to make a commitment to excellence, and make the most of your God-given talents; this is a great motivational book, at any stage of your life.
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