BOOK REVIEW: WHO WILL CRY WHEN YOU DIE?
The celebrated humanitarian Robin Sharma in this book has beautifully tried to ask you who will cry when you die? How many lives will you touch while walking on the planet? What will be your legacy? Do you know your calling? Will you cry when you die and regret not being able to be the person who wanted to? Or will you be laughing? This wonderful piece of work simplifies the answers to these complex questions. Here are some of my takeaways from the book:
“Whatever we become we become by doing it. By doing just acts we become just; by doing self-controlled acts, we become self-controlled; and by doing brave acts, and we become brave.” These lines by the philosopher Aristotle were quoted by the writer, to remind you how important is it to inculcate into your daily lives the habits you want to pursue. ‘Do’ in order to become. In the later chapters, the author also talks about the 21-day rule. How you can change or gain any habit by practicing it for 21 days. Act, rather than sit and dream about it.
Stress is often comprehended to be a major issue these days. However, Sharma here has tried to give a completely different perspective. He says stress is not the problem, the problem is that we do not get enough relief from this stress. Hence, he advises to plan a weekly ‘sabbatical’- a period of peace; This period can be a few hours where you can be just ‘you and do things you like to.
He emphasizes the importance of staying centered and grounded. He mentions how people go to temples and churches to stay centered. He asks you to find your way for the same. You can even go to a gym he suggests.
He then talks about the beauty of the testing times.” It is in our most testing times that we discover our potential; the fullness of our strength” says the author. I completely agree with him. It is in our testing days that we discover that we can do things and be someone completely beyond our imaginations of our potential. Further, he asks you to take risks. He says how you live more by taking more risks. The people who wish for safety and mediocrity sit on the shore and watch the sea. While those who take the risk of diving into the ocean and experiencing deep waters are the ones who live more, see more. He adds that failure is natural when you take more risk and that the position you stand at being successful is a small thing but the person you become in the journey of becoming successful is fundamental.
Sharma emphasizes forever growing. He asks his readers to keep learning and keep growing. He suggests reading. “All it takes is one idea, one book to change your relationships and revolutionaries your lives” he quotes gracefully. In further chapters, he tells a key point. Knowledge is not power. How much so we have been told from centuries he says knowledge is not the power. Here he adds value to the saying by quoting “knowledge is a potential power” it becomes power only when used at the moment judiciously.
Being compassionate not only makes others feel better but the very act of giving gives you happiness too. He quotes “a little fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses” Sharma quotes. He ardently vows to create a love account and asks you to be kind.
This motivational book reminds you of the fundamentals of life and will fill your soul with positivity in these testing times. It is definitely a must-read to change a little in you. The chapters are centered on fundamentals that anyone, anywhere in the world can practice and add more value to their lifestyle! Simple yet enticing this book won my heart.
