Robin Sharma is an acclaimed Canadian writer and a famous inspirational speaker. He has been a source of inspiration for thousands of people around the world. His works that brought him laurels were “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” and “The Leader Who Had No Title.”
He is the author of 15 best seller books. Recently, I read one of his books “Who Will Cry When You Die?” and I thought of sharing the gist. When I received the package of the book, one of my friends asked me “What do you understand by the title of the book?” The question bothered me for a while, I thought “What was the story wrapped in this title?” I had no answer that day.
I finished the book and today I have an answer to that question. “Self-improvement is the key ingredient of success.” The book consists of about 101 life lessons from the previous book “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”. I would like to share 5 things to be learned from the book that would help you evolve into a better self.
The most important lesson that came from the book was, “Discover your Calling.” The first chapter of the book would provoke the soul. The very question that my friend asked me “Who will cry when you die?” The author asks the same question to millions of readers. Remember the time when you were born, you cried and the world around you rejoiced. Life is a gift from God, which we get once.
In this life, how many lives do you impact with your presence, how many souls do you touch? The answer to the question? ” You get just one shot in this life, no retakes.” So, touch as many souls as possible, be the change that you wish to see around you. “Live a life such that the world cries when you die, while you rejoice”. Give the world more than what it has given you.
Self-improvement comes through certain activities, such as maintaining a journal, reading, and learning from inspiring movies. Talking to one- self is the first step towards the process of self-improvement.
You are the one who holds the power to shape your present and future. The habit of reading helps you understand the power of words. Sometimes, what you read impacts your life more than what is preached to you. As quoted in the book lines of Hazrat Inayat Khan – “The words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels”.
With the technological era, where people are busy running from subway to streets, it is very important to find a companion within yourself. Out of the 24 hours in a day, most of that time you spend with yourself. You are the one who knows the true feeling within and you are the one who can change the course of your life. You can always change the way you are leading your life, and it is never too late.
Apart from your friends and colleagues, one of the important links of your life is Family. Many of us are living as nomads, travelling from one place to another in search of better opportunities.
Away from home, we have earned ourselves a small family comprising of friends and colleagues. How many of you remember having a meal without checking your WhatsApp? How many of you remember enjoying shopping to the fullest without answering to every beep/ring of your phone? Returning back home for a holiday, how many of you remember having a conversation with your mom without scrolling the Facebook News Feed?
An obvious fact that you have definitely touched some souls, whom you call friends. You have definitely brought smiles to the faces of your frustrated colleagues. But everyone demands attention apart from the social media. It is important to have a conversation with the people who love you.
A mother waits for her child to return home, so that she can watch you enjoy a meal peacefully. A father waits for his child to come home, so they can discuss troubles and impart life lessons. A sibling waits for you to return home so that he or she can share their deepest secrets and smiles with you. Some people might not express it, but they need you.
Each one of us is talented in own way, discover the talent in you. The enrolment of a child in painting classes doesn’t embark painting as his talent. Maybe the kid is good at singing or enjoys outdoor sports more. Discovering talent is not ruled by the age factor. A lady in her mid-40s can be inclined towards baking and enhance her skills in that field.
There are hundreds of people struggling in this world. An inspiring quote by Norman Cousins in the book says – “The Tragedy of Life is not death, but what we let die inside us while we live”. It is time to forget your shortcomings and concentrate on your strengths.
In the initial stage of our lives, we run to achieve a lot. The last few years we regret of not being the person we wished to be. Everyone should “Practice dying”; living each day like it is the last day of your life.
Collect quotes that inspire you, serve selflessly, be humble and live fully, so that you can leave the world on a peaceful note. As quoted by the author – “Happiness is not a place you reach, it is a state which you create”.
When you start loving your job without complaining, when you start spending time with people more than gadgets, when you start spending time in the lap of nature rather than cursing the heavy traffic back home, you will start leading a peaceful life. Each day brings in a lesson with it, try learning as much as you can and the world would be a better place to live in.
