In The Purpose Gap, Patrick B. Reyes reflects on a family member’s death after a long struggle with incarceration and homelessness. Reyes asks himself why his cousin’s life had turned out so differently from his own, and he realizes that it was a matter of conditions. The book is a guide that moves from why the purpose gap exists, how to overcome it, and what the world looks like when we work to close the gap.

Reyes writes about the purpose gap, which is the combination of conditions that create a gap between those who can achieve their dreams and find lives of meaning and purpose, and those who must overcome great adversity just to imagine a better life. He wrote this book for those who want to eradicate this gap and build new worlds where our children can thrive.

The book is a love letter to the dispossessed, marginalized, ignored, the Chicano and broader Latinx/e/o/a community, Black, Indigenous, and people of color. It is also for those whose lives of meaning and purpose have been cut short through violence and incarceration, and for those whose imagination about the meaning and purpose of their lives is limited by the personal and systemic pains of hunger, poverty, and abuse.

Reyes provides studies, stories, and visions that provide insights about how to create conditions for people to thrive in your community. He draws on spiritual and intellectual wellsprings to close the purpose gap.

The book is a valuable resource for anyone who is seeking to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, especially in times of crisis and uncertainty. It is also a powerful reminder of the importance of solidarity and compassion in a world that often devalues and dehumanizes people based on their race, class, gender, or religion.

Interesting premise by an excellent writer. I recommend for those interested in thoughtful storytelling and books that keep you thinking.

In his book, The Purpose Gap: Empowering Communities of Color to Find Meaning and Thrive, Patrick B. Reyes makes a powerful case about how the search for purpose and meaning for people of color in the United States is so incredibly different than for white Americans, stating "There is a deep chasm between the children who get to dream freely and the children whose purpose must be shaped within a nightmare, between Pharaoh and Pilate on the one hand, and Moses and Jesus on the other, tattooed by death even before coming into this world.:"

Reyes supports this through powerful stories from his personal experiences and those of his family, and through a strong science-based overview from the current literature. His purpose is to "close the [purpose] gap so that every human will have access to the people, processes, and resources needed to achieve their purpose - to build a bridge from purpose to opportunity." And that "Closing the purpose gap means creating the conditions for future generations to achieve meaningful and purpose-filled lives."

This is an intentionally short book - he designed it to be an approximately four-hour read. Long enough to be read in two to three sittings. His hope is that as readers think about their own observations and experiences, we will work to create the conditions in our communities and institutions "for the least of those within them to thrive."

The first section is devoted to "Why the purpose gap?" leading to "How do we close the purpose gap?" and finally to "What is my purpose?" In each chapter, there are opportunities for personal reflection and practice.

He concludes that closing the purpose gap is a daily grind. "It is working toward nonfixed outcomes and relying on the things we know in our bones." And that we are all "responsible for ensuring that the resources in [our] care close the purpose gap." And that all the "dreaming, storytelling, and designing does not matter if you and I do not act today."

I would definitely recommend this book. It increases awareness of critical issues in our society, and suggests a pathway to begin to achieve change for future generations.

This is a thought provoking book that is timely in it's release. I believe this book helps bring an understanding to some of the racial tensions that have rocked our society. It is well written and exposes areas of our culture that have been accepted without any sort of questioning. Institutional racism and it's long-term effects become evident as shown as the author shares his research and experiences. #netgalley #goodreads #thepurposegap

Don’t make the same mistake I did in assuming The Purpose Gap would be the same ole run of the mill, cookie cutter self-help book. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of inspiration, hope and meaningful guidance the author provides, especially during these uncertain times. Reyes has a gift for knowing how to keep it real and reach his audience at the heart space.
There comes a time when the oppressor becomes oppressed by his own desires and the oppressed become the oppressor of those who would wish to liberate them from that same oppression. In my opinion, Patrick Reyes is a living example of this paradox, being a powerful advocate for his community and race, while living outside his community and marrying outside his race. So, I guess by default, this makes him the perfect person to speak on the paradox we are now facing in this oppressor/ oppressed society we are all navigating in.
Reyes’ masterfully written book shares engaging stories, excellent analogies with an empowering message, all filled to the rim with an Agape type of love! In fact, it is the LOVE that makes his book most remarkable and reachable to his intended audience. Buy it, read it, FEEL it. You will not be disappointed.

Finally! A book that not only describes how finding purpose in one's life isn't about self development, but the development of an entire community. Using a mix of theoretical, spiritual, and real world experiences, Reyes seeks to provide the reader with the contrast between purpose, success, and meaning through the collective lens of our communities, and the individualistic definition pushed in modern society.

Much like Baxter Magolda's self authorship, Reyes reframes purpose through cultural capital, redefining power, and the collective support for a community. The fallacy of the "pull yourself up by the bootstrap" narrative is challenged and recognizes that individual success is determined by support through systemic economic, educational, and spiritual systems, and what may be perceived as failure to thrive is not due to individual choice, but through systemic barriers.

I found myself highlighting quotes and passages, and find the reflection questions thoughtful and informative. I cannot wait to integrate this book into my college success class!

A clearly and well written book that explores the gap caused by poverty, discrimination, and related factors that keeps people of many marginalized groups, especially BlPOC, from achieving their God-given or inspired purpose in life.