SQuire Rushnell’s latest book, Divine Alignment (2012, Simon & Schuster Inc.), is the fifth book in his Godwink series, the term he coined to describe how life’s un-coincidental coincidences all come together to create a purpose in our lives. Once again he rejects the idea that we are all “twigs floating down a river to destinations unknown.” Instead, he believes these coincidences, or godwinks, have divine underpinnings.
“They are signposts along our paths,” he said. “We are starting to understand how we are connected by the mysterious threads that place us at one time, in one place... then, as you go through life, you can anticipate divine alignment.”
The term godwink has already been adopted into common speech by many, he said, including those who belong to the local Island recovery community. Addicts often use the term godwink when speaking about their lives, according to the author.
In Divine Alignment, Mr. Rushnell writes in an informal style, meeting the reader at his or her level. He presupposes a modest dose of skepticism on the reader’s part. The structure of the book is based around a series of seven steps, or points on the GPS navigational system which he calls “God’s Positioning System.” Each step is bolstered by a relevant true story. The crux of his argument relies on the 34 stories he re-tells, which to him, prove his thesis of divine alignment.
“I would say that it’s just hot air if it weren’t for those 34 stories that prove what I’m saying.”
When Mr. Rushnell first came to the Vineyard 15 years ago with his wife-to-be, Louise DuArt, unbeknownst to him the trip was a secret test on his wife’s part. If he didn’t like the Island, well, the relationship didn’t stand a chance. He passed.
“She said I fit right in,” he recalled. They now live in the yellow cottage on Davis Lane, where “we can hear church bells, and walk to Espresso Love,” he said. “We are as happy as two pigs in mud.”
Mr. Rushnell admits he has almost always been happy. At ABC, where he worked as an executive for two decades, he was known as “the obnoxious optimist.” His newest book exemplifies that world view, which seems to inform his everyday life.
But years ago, when he was fired from his post at ABC, he experienced a financial dark period and fell into debt, almost to the point of declaring bankruptcy. His career as a motivational writer and speaker didn’t begin until after this period passed, when he once again took control of his finances and was hired by a cable news network.
“I was already on the path to restoring my optimism,” he recalled.
Mr. Rushnell has infinite connections in the television industry, but the religiousness of his titles have caused his friends to shy away from promoting the books.
“We like you, we just don’t like your book title,” he was told time and again by former colleagues and friends. Last month, after being rejected continuously by the Today Show for eight years, he was finally invited on air to speak about his Godwink series. The regular producer was out on maternity leave, and her stand-in expressed an interest in his thesis, an occurrence he calls an unequivocal godwink.
Mr. Rushnell is not motivated by book sales, he said, but by the dissemination of his message to people across the country.
“I don’t care if they Xerox [my books] and send them out,” he said. “It gives me great pleasure to learn that people have become connected with things bigger than ourselves.”
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