- Step Back from the Baggage Claim: Change the World, Start at the Airport by Jason Barger
- Paperback: 134 pages
- Publisher: One Love Publishers (September 25, 2008)
- ISBN-13: 978-0615226668
Back-of-the-book blurb: Ever experienced the way small moments impact our lives? Ever wanted to participate in a movement to change our world? Jason Barger spent seven straight days flying 6,548 miles to seven different cities living only in the airports the entire time. He studied 10,000 minutes of observations at all four corners of the U.S. and reflected on how our airport experiences can teach us about our lives TODAY. The airport metaphor leaps to life through profound anecdotes about an orphanage in Mexico, a summer camp in Ohio, bamboo, the homeless, climbing Mt. Everest, a hotdog grill, and much more. The funny and inspiring stories remind us how to change our daily world through thoughtful and compassionate action! Join the movement.
She is Too Fond of Books’ review: Jason Barger has written a slim (about 130 pages) volume that packs a powerful punch. He delivers an extended metaphor comparing the ins and out of our daily lives – and the busyness and self-centeredness that often accompany them – to an airplane trip.
Barger conducted hands-on research for Step Back by traveling between 7 US cities in 7 days. During this research phase, Barger adhered to a strict budget, and did not leave the airport premises, sleeping and eating on-site.
The introduction and six subsequent chapters introduce and expand on a phenomenon that Barger observed during this time. Barger examines, for example, the way travelers tend to hoard around the baggage claim carousel, waiting impatiently for the red lights to flash and the conveyer to begin moving. We crowd shoulder-to-shoulder, craning our necks, trying to spot our luggage … so that we can pull it out and hurry to the next place in our itinerary that we’ll need to wait (car rental, taxi line, etc.).
Barger suggests that we “step back from the baggage claim” literally – let someone else see the carousel, slow down, help another passenger with an unwieldy bag … and figuratively – in our lives we can:
STEP BACK! Purposefully create some space to gain perspective on what is most important at this exact moment. Instead of worrying excessively about the future, celebrate now and learn something today that will lead you into the future. Let’s be people who are able to step back from the madness of the crowd and create a new angle of vision
Subsequent chapters cover ideals of:
- Gain perspective and create space for others
- Practice stillness in this moment
- Share compassion with those along your journey
- Quit the comparison game and thrive where you are
- Celebrate an ethic of creativity (using the SkyMall catalog for this section; my favorite of all the mini-metaphors)
- Put a grateful spirit into action
Barger does a nice job with the airport/travel metaphor, and you can feel the passion of his words in his writing. Each chapter ends with a short review and 3 or 4 questions to help with self-assessment of the concept. I can see Step Back from the Baggage Claim being used with a partner or in a small group setting.
Although you’d find Step Back in the Inspirational section of a bookstore, I would definitely bill it as a book with a Christian leaning. Barger’s background is in the church, most recently as director of a large Christian camp in southern Ohio. There are several Bible verses quoted, but it’s not overtly preachy. The questions at the back of each chapter definitely lend themselves to an adult faith-based program.
Perhaps Barger’s intention was to be more mainstream; maybe I’m just open to it. When I looked at the Step Back logo I saw more than a route map:
I see this symbol in the path he’s taken:
My only quibble with Step Back from the Baggage Claim is one that is common to self-published books. Minor issues like the font being a bit too large, the margins a bit too small; chapters titles aren’t are included in the header on each page (so it’s not as easy to quickly find the spot you’d like to reference). These are formatting issues; the content is clean and accomplishes his goal.
The metaphors employed in Step Back will stay with the reader; the next step is moving forward to put these ideas into action in our own lives. I also enjoyed reading the Q&A about his 7-day journey, and appreciate that he listed resources in an appendix.
More information about Jason Barger and the Step Back from the Baggage Claim movement can be found online. Jason Barger is available as a motivational/inspirational speaker and consultant, I imagine he’s quite effective. As he implores in the book, travel gracefully.
Self published books always seem to have some small thing that is bothersome, but so minor that I feel bad mentioning it. Thanks for such a good review!
This book sounds like it gives you plenty to think about. Why do we all huddle around the baggage carousel like that? Great review.
Kelly – I know, that formatting didn’t keep me from reading, but I found it a minor flaw. Content is very good, and smart design, logo and tag line.
Kathy – the “share compassion” chapter was about seemingly simple task of making eye contact; something we (I, anyway) often don’t do when I’m hurrying along on my daily errands.
I immediately wanted to read this at the beginning of your review. But after finishing the review and reading the website, it seems very “motivational speaker” if that description makes sense. Does it read more like inspirational reading or like a memoir/social experiment?
Not that motivational speaking is bad, I guess…my instinctual reaction just seems to be an eye roll when I hear those words.
The subliminal Christian thing is kind of funny.
Kari – if you’re interested, send my your address and I’ll mail it out to you. Sharing the book is the last line written – I’d be interested to see your thoughts on it.
Marie – Yeah, I showed the map to my husband to see if I was reading too much into it – he saw a whale, so I’m not far off base. I may ask the author if it was intentional.
That is seriously a huge pet peeve of mine…people barging in, almost to the point that you can’t even get to your baggage! I try so hard to not be the pushy barging person, and this book would be a good reminder to be a kinder, calmer soul!
Sounds pretty interesting … I thought it was going to be a book about funny travel narratives!
Sandy – I’ve made a concentrated effort to make eye contact with people (friendly eye contact, not creepy!) on my walks thru town this week.
Jenners – The appendix “Q & A about the 7-day journey” is pretty funny.
This one sounds interesting. I think I’ll add it to my must read list.
Fiona
Dawn –
I’m glad my book resonated with you! Thank you for sending me the review link and sharing your thoughts with others. As you know, that is the idea… to put loving & grateful vibrations into motion in the world!
Thank you to all who give it a read and then choose to put the spirit into motion by sharing it with others. This is not a book for your shelf. Its purpose is to travel the world, connect people, move beyond the negativity in daily life, and inspire ripples of gratitude and compassion. Pass it along and change the world – one small, thoughtful act at a time.
Travel Gracefully,
Jason Barger
PS. The map outline of my travels was not meant to be a symbol of anything…that’s the first time I’ve ever thought of it! Interesting.
And, Kari – I hope you don’t get too hung up on the “motivational speaker” label. I sometimes have the same thoughts, but I hope you’ll see the authentic spirit that this was created with!