The Gift of Perspective

"At age 31, Lindsey Roy was named vice-president at Hallmark Cards -- one of the youngest in the company's more-than-100-year history. Five years later, while on a getaway, a tragic boating accident nearly claimed her life and left her with an amputated left leg and other severe limb injuries. The recovery was brutal, but she stayed relentlessly focused on not just healing, but emerging stronger. She eventually shared what trauma had taught her about happiness in a TEDx talk that has been viewed nearly 180,000 times to date. Eight years after the accident, another life-altering event: Lindsey was diagnosed with a rare and progressive disease that destroyed the blood vessels in her lungs, requiring a double-lung transplant. Instead of getting stuck in thoughts of "Why did this happen to me?", she reembraced her own advice and championed a new outlook: letting go of one life vision in order to unlock hidden advantages and new depths of resilience in oneself. Now a sought-after speaker, she's imparting these hard-won lessons to help you adapt, disrupt, and innovate in your own life. These are valuable insights forged in the fire -- from Lindsey's journey and from other inspiring individuals she's met along the way. Part memoir, part inspirational guidebook, and full of grit, faith, and humor, The Gift of Perspective is ready to meet you where you are -- in life, in business, and no matter where adversity may find you."--

Lindsey Roy has experienced unique challenges in her life, including a leg amputation from a traumatic boating accident and a rare disease leading to a double lung transplant. These experiences, coupled with her natural gifts for speaking and writing, have transformed into a passion to tell her story in the hopes of helping others tackle whatever obstacles life throws at them. She did a TED talk in 2017 titled “What Trauma Taught Me About Happiness.” Her story has been featured in major publications, such as O Magazine, Fast Company, Forbes, and Working Mother.  Lindsey’s perspective is also honed by her roles as a corporate executive, mother and wife. She is Senior VP Strategy & Brand at Hallmark, an iconic brand and company. Lindsey has been at Hallmark for twenty-two years, leading various initiatives and groups, including serving as the company CMO prior to this role. Lindsey believes in authentic leadership and the power of meaningful connection. Lindsey was named in 2021 the CMO Creativity and Storytelling Award Winner by the CMO Club. She has a degree in Journalism & Advertising with a minor in Speech from Kansas State University and serves on many charitable boards, including Ability KC, Steps of Faith and the Ad Council. Lindsey lives in Kansas City with her husband, Aaron, and children, Mitchell and Morgan.

Prologue Introduction Chapter 1: Choose Your View—Sustain the Power of Perspective Chapter 2: Open Up—Explore Vulnerability Chapter 3: Reframe—Find the Hidden Advantages Chapter 4: Dig Deep—Pursue Relentless Resourcefulness Chapter 5: Check Yourself—Don’t Assume Your Assumptions Are Valid Chapter 6: Be a Riser—Realize Your Resilient Nature Chapter 7: Engage Your Soul—Find A Way to Believe Epilogue Acknowledgments Notes Index