This book is all about pepping up your self in difficult times. It might sound sometimes giving too much emphasis on yourself over others but the author does a good job of summarizing the gist in a short book. The earlier book I read of same author was in MBA days 2 yrs back. As I was reading the book I could relate to many problems faced both on professional and personal front and it seems there is still room for understanding my own self. I guess I have not paid enough attention to it . The author has put in all his practical experience in this book suggesting how to take correct approach towards life when things do not go good. The book is pocket size so can be easily carried around . The knowledge has been put in form of short 2-3 pages for each topic so it is handy in reading as well as use for reference later. One thing which eluded me in understanding was the "gift" the author mentions each person is born with and should pursue the same.
Some notes:
-Peace of mind is knowing that you did what you had to do and forgiving yourself when you werent as strong as you wanted to be.
-Peace of mind needs to be present before your good work , not the result of it.
-People who offer conditional love want to control you. The moment that they give their love without condition is the moment you are free.
-The person who loves you loves you because he/she loves you. That's it. No further explanations are needed. No explanations make sense of love.
- Find something to be grateful for. The world is neither good nor bad. At best it is neutral.
-Take responsibility. When you dont take responsibility you give up control to others. Others never have your real interests at heart because they really dont know you.Take responsibility for everything you have done . It is the first step to become free.
-When the dark memory returns dont fight it. Permit the intrusion without regret. Dont push the painful feeling or memory away. If you let it through without resisting it , it will pass. Push it away and it will build, seeking and expressing it needs to relieve the old pressure. Ride the reappearance of your old emotions , but dont try to hold them back. Acknowledge all that it means and in a moment it will be gone.
-The secret of life is that there is no secret of life. It's all hard work.
- You are only human and you make mistakes. Whatever you are, just admit it. Admit your humanness . It's always a sign of strength.
-Express your hurt. Hurt is the pain of the moment. Anxiety is the pain in the future. Withheld hurt turns into anger. Such inward anger is called guilt.
-Live in this moment , at this time, when life takes place. If you live in past , you are not alive now. If you fear the future, the moment is infected with suspicion.
- Moving on - Who should care about you when you don't care enough about yourself to lift yourself out of your dilemma? Maybe you have to be in this rut in order to convince yourself that you need to do something about it.
-Pain in life comes from avoiding the truth that your feelings tell. Trust your feelings.they are the only true guidance you will ever get.
-Don't suffer. Suffering is mostly about events that have already happened.You suffer when you keep pain alive, for smouldering pain continually creates anger. Accept what has happened. Learn your lessons. Mourn your losses. And release. Grief knows no clock and suffering can swallow up your life.
