This article is a summary of the book “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” written by Robin Sharma. The key insights from the book is discussed in this blog post.
At times you feel life is no more interesting, material rewards or accomplishments you are receiving are not exciting you anymore. Then, you are at a right point in your life to spend time with this book. Not only to read but also to apply the content effectively in your life. Most People aspire to wake up in a great mood, make the day productive and happy. Also, people wish to end the day with a peaceful mind with a feeling of accomplishment. But where do we miss out?. Let us examine it through the book titled “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” by Robin Sharama.
The book “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” is about a successful lawyer named Julien. Here, what I mean by success is, he is rich and professionally accomplished. He owns a big mansion, a private jet and as the title conveys, a “Ferrari” as well. But he was restless and followed a work schedule of almost 18 hours in a day as he felt not satisfied with whatever he had in his hand already. He always thought he had to achieve more and more inorder to get satisfaction and happiness in his life. As a consequence, he couldn’t maintain work life balance and it ended up in his divorce. He appeared like an 80-year-old man at the age of 53.
Julien got advice from the doctor not to overdo his work after he got admitted in hospital because of a heart attack. Also, he got a suggestion to quit his job and live life peacefully with whatever he already earned. This seems an unacceptable situation to him. But gradually he started to think about his life. He started to sell all material possessions. Yes, he sold everything including his Ferrari!.
Julien wanted to explore the true meaning of life. He set out on a journey to Himalaya, where the Indian Monks reside. Julien heard; these monks live happily over a period of 100 years with the energy of young people. Julien appreciated the highest level of wisdom the monks possessed and decided to live there for a few days to learn the principles of life.
The seven wisdom he learned are as follows,
- Our brain is like a garden, if we nurture it with good thoughts, empathy, love and kindness, it will result in good seeds and fruits in the form of happiness and positivity. On the other hand, if we ignore it like not watering the garden or fill it with negativity like dumping waste, the result will be destructive.
- We have to follow the right path to our goals. We can reach the destination only if we know the path as well as the destination. Start working consistently towards your goal, because if you know the destination, sooner or later you will reach the destination.
- Keep a continuous learning habit and pay attention to improve everything you do in your life. Activities which can improve you at a smaller level are also very important.
- Self-control and discipline are significant things in life though people often underestimate its power. Self-control and discipline are an assimilation of every small thing we do in life. Waking up early or eating healthy seems less important in life to us, but these really matter and it is a part of maintaining self-control and discipline.
- Whether you are rich or poor you have only 24 hours in a day. How you utilize these 24 hours which is commonly available to all of us decides whether we can be happy or sad, satisfied or dissatisfied. By the time you wake up in the morning someone else returning from gym will start the day happily and feel fresh and fit. We have to utilize the 24 hours wisely by spending for activities which bring relaxation as well.
- Help others selflessly and feel the priceless satisfaction and you can feel happiness most of the time.
- Happiness is in the present. So, stop thinking about the past and stop worrying about the future. Manage the present wisely and enjoy the small moments of happiness.
Yes, Julien sold his Ferrari to unlearn his perceptions about life so as to make himself a real happy complacent person.
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