How do you respond when Fortune challenges you with difficult times?
It’s part of being human that we progress through life in fits and starts. We stumble, catch ourselves, and move on. We enjoy. We endure. We struggle. We thrive. Bad things happen. Good things happen. How we respond defines us. Are you taking control? Or are you just along for the ride?
In September of 2001, disaster struck and the Western world was changed forever. What followed as the world economy descended into recession was unprecedented in our lifetime. We had no formulas, no pat answers for how to respond.
A pilot for one of the commercial airlines devastated by the events of 9/11, Captain Mark Hardcastle began journaling his thoughts and observations as he dealt with the tragedy and chaos around him. He saw patterns emerge among his peers, both inside and outside the airline, as everyone worked their way through the first years of the twenty-first century.
In his book, The Symphony of Your Life, as well as his keynotes and workshops, Hardcastle distills these patterns into stories about restoring harmony when life has gone out of tune. Sure, bad things often happen to good people. But events outside our control need not determine who we are.
Using metaphors from his passion for choral conducting and his time in the U.S. Air Force, Hardcastle helps us gain a new perspective on the situations we are facing today and provides us tools to prosper when future challenges try to slow us down. He shows us how examining our own lives can and should give us the confidence to conduct our own powerful Symphony.
Mark Hardcastle wears many hats. An author, speaker, airline captain and musical conductor, Mark graduated from the USAF Academy in 1982. After nine years as a pilot on active duty, he left the military to join a commercial airline. In addition to flying B-737s around country and 777s around the world, Hardcastle invests in real estate and enjoys spending time in the Rocky Mountains and serving on the artistic staff of the Colorado Children’s Chorale. He lives in Centennial, Colorado, with his wife and four children. He carries his message of hope and harmony to schools, civic clubs and businesses of all forms and sizes.
“An easily digestible roadmap for those seeking clarity, truth, balance, wisdom, and
direction to sort out the challenges we all face from time to time. Bravo, Maestro!”
—Gary Tedder, Social Entrepreneur, Investor, Musician
“From the first attention-grabbing page to the last, I love how the author weaves
together his experiences with airplanes and music to bring perspective to real-life
situations. Illuminating how split-second moments as well as best-laid plans slowly
shift our paths, he is a master of helping us recognize the impact of our mindset.”
—Ingrid Pyka, Author, Speaker, Coach
“Through beautiful prose, Mark has awakened the music within me that life had
muted, inspiring me to compose the symphony of my own life. I recommend this
book to anyone who still hears the music in their heart. Thank you, Mark!”
—Luis Perez, Airline Captain, Mindfulness Instructor, Writer
“Mark’s book has become my ‘Bible of Life’ that l refer back to. Clear, concise, and
easy to understand, he does an excellent job of highlighting his ‘key notes,’ creating
mantras we can all live by.”
—Lainey Kennedy, Travel and Transport Sales Executive
“Mark’s inspiring stories reached me at a soul level. His book helped me find the
inner courage to reach for my own brass rings and finally believe they were possible.
I am excited daily to see what happens next for me.”
—AmyLyn Bliss, new LLC Owner
“We don’t often find a book that shows us how the instruments of this orchestra
we call life all play in tune. This book makes sense of the challenges life throws
our way and reminds us that those beautiful high notes do not last long. Cherish
both—they are all part of your masterpiece.”
—Joshua Miller, Financial Advisor
“A beautiful harmonic symphony in its visual presentation and with its gifted
information. If you are looking for changes in your life, buy this book. It will help
you create a realistic plan for your goals.”
—Amazon Reviewer
“Reading the book is like sitting across the breakfast table drinking coffee as
Mark shares personal reactions and the prioritizing of life’s challenges, while
you gently consider, sift, absorb, and enjoy.” — Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, internationally acclaimed composer, conductor, and lecturer
“Shows you how to turn the cacophony of your life into something better, something
harmonious.”
—Alexander Green, Investment Director of The Oxford Club,
best-selling author of Beyond Wealth: The Road Map to a Rich Life
