The Year I Got Everything I Wanted: A Spiritual Crisis

by Cameron Conant

Cameron Conant hoped that after a painful divorce, he might one day be happy again. And suddenly he was?or so it seemed.

Paralleling the themes in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, The Year I Got Everything I Wanted is a provocative spiritual memoir that explores despair and pleasure with disquieting honesty.

Genres: Spirituality, Memoir

195 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2007

Reviews

[Rebekah Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Life only makes the slightest bit of sense when we connect everything to its source… if everything is a circle, where does the source begin? Where does it start and where does it end?…and I too am circling back to where I came from, to the source, to God.”

A relatable read speaking into the hardship between the good God is working within us and the ways we want ‘more’ and are constantly looking for what’s next in our brokenness… all while the God of the universe and Lover of our souls is standing right next to us the entire time, ready to bless us with far more than we could comprehend, if we would only turn our eyes.

We have hearts that were created to crave love, rest, and contentment, yet with the temptations and things that evil offers us, it creates such a tension and chaos that we ourselves feel torn in. And we often choose what is right in front of us to fill that desire quickly, rather than seek out what will truly help us. And that causes circles, of good to bad, good to bad. And so on.

Only God can fill that empty spot within. His love covers and completes us. We need not anything besides Him.

[Ben Zajdel]

At age 28, Cameron Conant had everything a young, single man could want. His first book had been published. He was starting a high paying job. He was moving to the artistic city of Nashville, Tennessee. And he was in love with a beautiful woman.

But somehow, despite all of this, Cameron could not find a true sense of peace. His fairy tale life seemed empty and shallow, and most of all, extremely self centered. This became even more evident when the fairy tale began to unravel. His job wasn't a good fit, and the girl he loved drifted away. Cameron is forced to look at his life through a lens that doesn't focus on pleasure, and the results are mixed.


Perhaps the best part of Conant's writing is the honesty with which he writes. If you are looking for a memoir from someone who has been down and now has it all figured out, this is not the book for you. It is evident early on that Conant is still searching, and he is quick to point out his failures. In about 180 pages, Conant bares a piece of his soul, and it is often brutal but beautiful.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this just by the title alone...who doesn't want to get everything they want? I've never been much to read memoirs, but I decided to give this one a shot.

Fresh from a divorce, the author proceeds to spend the year of his 28th birthday getting everything he wants - a pretty girlfriend, a great job, moving to a new, exciting city, etc, but in the end, are they really what he wants?

This book is a great parallel to the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible - Solomon, who is often given credit as the author of Ecclesiastes, summoned life up like this:

'Fear God. Do what he tells you. Eventually God will bring out everything we do out in the open and judge it according to it's hidden intent, whether it's good or evil'

[Maas D · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason why men struggle with materialism and many other life's issues is because they have not learnt that life is all about Him - our Creator. So He will put you through a series of process, and if you listen carefully, you will hear God's voice speaking to you. And you'll be reminded of the last verse in the book of Ecclesiastes.
Cameron Conant has had his share of ups and downs. He describes in this memoir moments of utter despair, great grief, very thick darkness, confusion, hope, happiness ... But after all the loss - his marriage, his job, his girlfriend, his failed relationship - he goes backpacking to Europe....

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book. Very sad, but cathartic. And frankly, now that I've read two of his books, I am kind of concerned for the author (Cameron Conant). Not like he's going to kill himself and I need to do something about it, but more like he's sad, and in pain, and I almost know him a bit, and I'd like to help ease his pain.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cameron Conant is a young, but promising writer. I thought the beginning and end of the book were well written, with lots of word pictures. His journey is one most of us can identify with, to some degree.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was sort of depressing, but the last chapter was amazing!!!