The first dilemma I am sure most of the first-time bloggers face while writing their first blog post is probably what exactly to write about. After pondering a lot over this question, I finally made a wise decision. Books being my first love, I decided to read a new book and then write about it.
The book I decided to take up was " The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" by Robin S. Sharma.
The book jacket declares itself as "A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams And Reaching Your Destiny".
Honestly speaking, after reading the likes of Paulo Coelho and Rhonda Bryan, I did not expect this book to inspire me much. After all which book in the world could emulate the kind of feelings that the books of these authors stir? The book proved me wrong.
It indeed is a fable that inspired me to dream and fulfill my dreams to reach my destiny too.
The story is about the odyssey of Julian, a high profile lawyer who after suffering a heart attack realizes the level of harm he is causing to himself by not living his life in the true sense of the word. In search of peace, he leaves his profession and every thing behind and heads to the East. In India, his miraculous encounters with the sages of Sivana change him forever. He is taught all the valuable lessons of life by the sages but with a promise that he would share the same knowledge with other mortals who need the same enlightenment to break the vicious cycle of sadness and sufferings in their lives.
And so, he fulfills his promise.
Julian returns to his homeland and shares his experiences with John- his former intern and the only friend left. Julian shared with him the fable that exemplified how life is supposed to be lived to the most.
In the fable, the listener is asked to imagine himself sitting in a beautiful garden blooming with roses and other beautiful flowers. There is a lighthouse in the middle of the garden out of which a Sumo wrestler is running towards you with nothing but a pink cable wire on his body. Suddenly, he notices a golden watch left behind many years ago. He slips it on and falls to the ground. Just when you take him to be dead, he jumps with energy from the fragrance of a rose and out of nowhere notices a path covered with sparkling diamonds. He chooses to walk that path and that path leads him to eternal bliss.
All the components of this fable signify something crucial.
The garden signifies our brain which is our best slave but the worst master. We must instruct it to stay clear of negative thoughts and always think positive. Even a single negative thought can prove toxic to it.
The lighthouse signifies the goals that we must set in our life all the time. True sense of living comes from true sense of achievement and therefore, we must always dream and set goals that ultimately help us in achieving those dreams.
The Sumo wrestler signifies 'kaizen' i.e. continuous self improvement. In life, never compare yourself to someone else. Only strive to improve from your former self.
The pink cable shows how discipline is built with small virtuous habits. Practice any virtue for 21 days and it will be converted into a habit.
The golden watch signifies the importance of time. A person who does not value time will have to bear the wrath of time later.
The fragrant rose shows that when you give a rose to someone with your hand, the scent still stays in your hand. Similarly, in life, when you help others to improve their lives, you somewhat improve your life too.
Finally the path of diamonds teaches you to embrace the present. Learn from your past, hope good for the future but always live in and savor the present.
And thus, you will live happily ever after...
The story somewhat did not have a clear ending that you expect a nearly two-hundred page book to have. But the fact that it is not a novel neither a typical self-help book justifies this kind of ending.
I would rather call it a self-improvement book. Something like the " Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey..a book that you will cherish forever. The kind of book that you will keep referring to whenever you face some turmoil in your life.
I feel this is the kind of book I really had to read at this point of my life. The crucial point of my career when I have to decide whether I am going to continue with my studies or look for a job. Although this book does not really help you to realize the true purpose of your life but it aptly inspires you to look for one.
The title does complete justice to the book. Although, as such there is no Ferrari involved. But the car actually is the symbol of the materialistic pleasures we all are so reluctant to give up.
Summing up, I loved the book. Was not too stretched, was to the point and did not bore me for even a second. I feel that all the applaud Robin Sharma got for this book was well deserved.
I will myself like to congratulate the author for such an enlightening book.
Every one must give it a try. It is truly worth your time!
