Local author, motivational speaker uses life as inspiration

Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005

Click here to enlarge this photo Allison Pasek⁄The Gazette Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Lawrence Vann of Fort Washington also wears the hats of self-publishedauthor and motivational speaker. He concludes his first book-signing tour this weekend at two Karibu Bookslocations.

He started writing ‘‘Living on Higher Ground” Oct. 19 last year and completed the first draft in 30 days. His goal was to publish the 260-page memoir in three months.

‘‘Writing the book was the easiest thing that I’ve really ever experienced, because I realized that there were so many things that I really never came to closure with,” Vann said. ‘‘And while writing, ... I came to closure with a lot of the issues that were inside of me.”

Since this Fort Washington-based military-official-turned-motivational-speaker delved into writing and publishing, he’s been living his dream. He’s been touring the mid-Atlantic since May and is wrapping up the book tour this weekend at Karibu Books at Bowie Town Center and Iverson Mall.

Published by Vann’s company, Laurel Wreath Publishing, ‘‘Living on Higher Ground” focuses on giving people hope. The underlying message is that humans must learn to overcome life’s obstacles because everyone has to deal with them. Since its release in April, it has motivated readers, just as the title implies, to live on higher ground.

Mitchellville resident Barbara Porter, 46, a master sergeant in the military, was inspired to pursue an MBA while reading ‘‘Living on Higher Ground.” She said it was reading about Vann’s experiences that motivated her.

‘‘He dealt with a lot of challenges from a young boy born into a pretty large-sized family that was not wealthy, and believing in God and believing in the path that he was supposed to take,” she said. ‘‘As he tried to stay on his path, ... God led him to success.”

The book starts Sept. 4, 1958—Vann’s birth date.

‘‘A lot of times when people are telling you their life story, they all kind of start at the same point, as early as elementary school or their first significant event,” said Vann’s friend Amanda Bullard of Silver Spring. ‘‘Paul went back a little further than that, and that is dad telling mom to push to get him out of there. And that really is a life story.”

In the first chapter, readers travel with Vann through his childhood in Henderson, N.C. As one of nine children living in poverty, Vann saw a glimpse of two outcomes for his life. One was not so desirable, while the other was almost unheard of.

‘‘I was told that I didn’t have what it takes to make it through college,” said Vann, recalling a conversation with his high school guidance counselor.

But during chapter three, readers learn otherwise. This section chronicles his life from 1980 to 2002, his years as an officer in the military. But many experiences shaped him into a motivational speaker, including speaking stints with the military, serving as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill, becoming an employee with Mobil Oil Co. and his educational pursuits.

If you go What: ‘‘Living on Higher Ground” book signing When: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Karibu Books at Iverson Mall in Hillcrest Heights; 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Karibu Books at Bowie Town Center Cost: Free For more information: Call 301-899-3730 (Iverson); 301-352-4110 (Bowie)

‘‘During the course of my military career, I ended up receiving two master’s degrees just to let my high school guidance counselor know I didn’t have what it took,” said Vann, who retired as a lieutenant colonel.

‘‘The fact that I came from very humble beginnings, my central theme is that if people want to realize the success in their lives, they have to focus on what their passion is,” he added.

While enlisted, Vann became a command briefer and traveled to college campuses to speak with students about military life. From this, his love for motivational speaking was born.

Bullard said that for these reasons, Vann is able to inspire people young and old.

‘‘I think [he] has a lot to offer, particularly to young African-American males,” she said. ‘‘I would really like to see more organizations become aware of him ... so he can [motivate] those young people who are at crossroads.”

For those who are at crossroads, he said the way to become successful is to pursue your dreams and never quit: ‘‘Believe in something greater than yourself and serve it.”