When the Herald asked me to do a review on a new book called, "Smiling at the World-A Woman's Passionate Yearlong Quest for Adventure and Love," by local author Joyce Major about her solo volunteer journey to 10 countries, I thought, "This is perfect, right up my alley. I love to travel, and have even done some 'volun-tourism' myself."

But from the moment I read the prologue I realized, it was not the book I was reviewing, but rather my own life-my dreams and whether or not I was living them out. I suspect other readers may feel the same. After all, at age 57, this woman had sold her car, rented her houseboat, and left a successful career in real estate (plus two sons and a lovable cat) to undertake a year full of uncertainty, risk and adventure.

Not many people take the kind of "risk" that Major did, leaving Seattle to give a shot at making the world a better place (and then writing and self-publishing a book about it). But what she teaches readers is that we all CAN, and the results are well worth it.

"Smiling at the World" encourages readers to open their minds to new cultures and to give of themselves more than they once thought possible. Major does this not by preaching hardcore volunteerism, conservation and self-sacrifice but rather by inspiring readers with personal, heartfelt stories of a vulnerable human being in the big, wide, world who finds friendship, love, and connection to the planet and all of its creatures.

On her trip Major makes major strides-from restoring a farmhouse in Italy, working briefly at a wildlife refuge on the Greek Isle of Lesbos, and caring for rescued monkeys at a sanctuary in England, to monitoring baboons in Cape Town, bottle feeding lion cubs in Johannesburg, and taking Portuguese lessons while handling a hands-off volunteer park project in Rio. She went from working with kangaroos at a sanctuary in Australia, and learning sustainable living techniques in New Zealand to tending abused elephants in Thailand, teaching English in China, and reporting for a local paper in Ireland!

The reader relives Major's journey one paragraph at a time, kind of like the friend who always wants to come along in the suitcase-experiencing life (and its ups and downs) right along with her. If Major only knew at the time that eventually you'd be there too traveling with her, perhaps those long solo train rides might not have been so lonely.

Once she arrives in each new country, so do you. As one adventure ends, a new one begins. And as the book title suggests a "quest for adventure," well, that adventure was definitely found somewhere between riding in a minivan full of excited lion cubs and getting caught outside in an English downpour miles from shelter.

And what about the "quest for love?" Well, anxious readers, for those of you wanting a steamy romance, there's a bit of that too. But what Major comes away with in the love department was much greater.

"My vision of love became huge after my trip," she smiles. "I understood what it means to give and receive love from all kinds of different sources-not just the love between a man and woman, but love of friends, trees, lion cubs, and more. I found all love is equal, and my job is not to rate this love but to accept it and live it."

Major found a connection to the entire planet. She discovered that people from all over the world weren't really that different from us, and that we should not be afraid of other cultures. But perhaps the biggest thing to fear is not daring to dream and take chances.

"A lot of people don't allow themselves to dream because they are afraid they will have to change or give something up," explains Major. But during our short time here on this earth, Major encourages people not to get distracted by what others think we should do or what we think we are supposed to do, but rather to do what our heart calls us to.

She advises, "If there's a dream that's tickling you, open up the door, and go do it. Sure, there's a part of you that feels like you're stepping off a cliff into the unknown, but the universe has a way of supporting our dreams if we take a chance on them."

So...in review, (but not as a traditional book review), "Smiling at the World" is not only a good read that takes you to far away, meaningful places with the author, but more of a chance review to your own life. And remind yourself, if you can dream it, you can do it.

Joyce Major currently lives in West Seattle. She continues to volun-tour in other countries as well as her own community. You can pick up a copy of her book, "Smiling at the World," at Square One Books.

And if you're ready to take one little, itsy bitsy step toward that cliff Major mentions above, try one of her classes on volun-tourism:

* "Inexpensive Travel as a Volunteer" at UW Experimental College Jan 25& Feb 22 (206) 543-4375

* "Travel the World Volunteering" at Telos BCC (for retirees) Feb 5-19 (425) 564-4000

* "Travel the World Volunteering" at North Seattle Community College Jan 24-Feb 21

* "Travel the World as a Volunteer" at Antioch University Spring 2008 (schedule TBD)

For more opportunities to travel with a purpose, also check out West Seattle's own Crooked Trails Travel: www.crookedtrails.com

Please send e-mail to Lori at: Westseattle101@yahoo.com