The Monk who Sold his Ferrari — Robin Sharma
One of the first books to be read in his series of inspirational stories, Robin Sharma creates this character, Julian Mantle, a high-flyer lawyer who seem to have it all. After a heart attack, Julian decides to quit his job and goes on a journey to understand himself.
Julian comes back to share the life’s lessons with a lawyer, over-worked. Again, using quotes, references from other books, the lessons are shared and reinforced. As we go through the story, it’s as if we are listening to a live seminar, learning those lessons.
Random quotes found:
“
We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual
beings having a human experience. “
Why this is a good read:
In many self-help books, the style of writing is in the form of tips, checklists, exercises. There’s a lot of work to be done, and I lose interest after awhile. A fictional story tends to bring the reader in, engaging the reader. The story-telling method seems less threatening, and as one gets further into the story, you may not help but to pause and think if those “lessons” apply and how you can try to apply those lessons like the characters in the book.
Family Wisdom from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari — Robin Sharm
Just finished this book recently. The story follows through the character, Julian Mantle, the monk who sold his ferrari. Having learnt the lessons for the Sages in the mountains, he returns to share insights and teachings relating to the family and parenting. In this book, he shares these lessons with his sister, Catherine, a career woman whom, in the pursuit of success at the workplace, sacrifices her time with her kids and family. Through an near-death accident, she re-priorities, and with the help of Julian, learns more about the lessons.
Why this is a good read:
Robin Sharma uses an engaging and entertaining manner of writing, wrapping life’s lessons with the use of fictional characters that feel so real, as well as the use of quotes, teachings from books and other authors to bring the reader into the ideas that he wants to share.
Particularly for parents who strive to teach their kids well, the story relates how children learn best when parents lead by example. To teach our children, we need to practise those concepts and guide them through life.
Reading through each lesson, also known as mastery of family wisdom in the book, the story touches the heart in a simple manner. I shed tears when reading some of the chapters in the book.
Ready or Not Here We Come!… by Elizabeth Lyons
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Ready or Not Here We Come!: The Real Experts’ Guide to the First Year With Twins
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Ready or Not . . . There We Go!: The REAL Experts’ Guide to the Toddler Years with Twins
Having twins myself, I find that many of the pregnancy, parenting books are not always suitable because they don’t tell me how to manage my unique situation. Parenting books, in many cases, tend to be very informational (which works in most cases) and lengthy.
I saw this title while surfing Amazon for parenting-related books, and decided to try the local library just to see if they have the titles. Picked up the “First Year” book when the kids were just over a year old. Brought it with me while going for a business trip, and in that 2 day trip, I finished reading the book. Half the time on the flights, I was trying to control my laughter, because the descriptions and scenarios in the book was so apt!
The “Toddler Years” series covers a balance. Issues, problems that may occur during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year are covered, but parents are better off with other parenting books if you are looking for details. Different strategies recommended by various books are discussed briefly as well, so this presents a good overview of what has been covered in other books, and some observations and opinions from the author and her community of mummies with twins. She also includes sections for daddies and also topics on keeping the marriage alive, having our time away, letting go of the need to have control over everything once in awhile to keep your sanity intact.
Why this is a good read:
The situations may be something that only twin mummies (or daddies) can relate, but boy, is the author spot-on! She has a pair of twins and 2 other kids, a full time home maker, and the strategies described in the book is practical. Got to give it to her, she copes with 4 kids and no external help! Amazing.
Preferred the “First Year” book for the humour and perhaps, because I’m still going through the Toddler years, I’m not at the stage yet to look back, reminisce about the good old times.
If Life is a game, these are the rules
This was a book that I’ve read many years ago. One of the first “self-help” book I bought.
The author described the “10 rule of life”, the “rules” going from learning about our body, to emotions.
Why this is a good read:
Though the word “rule” is used, the tone is not preachy. It shares concepts and ideas in a easy to read format, and it’s easily understandable.
Having said that, what you take away from this reading depends on your perception and understanding of the contents within the book. Not everyone that I know understands the stuff written in the same way.
First posts
The idea came about through my daily conversations with friends online.
A few of us have been reading widely, on various topics, attending seminars and workshops, experiencing life in our own ways. Some of us are parents, some exploring life in other places, moving on to new phases in life. I wanted to create a place to share thoughts, book reviews, ideas and stuff, so here we are. My first public blog!
More to come: books/magazines that I have read recently, and those that I’ll like to share.
