There's something special and unique about certain books that instill in us that extra bit of courage to take on life's challenges, even the unforeseen ones, in the right spirit and be grateful for everything that we possess. Many a times in our life when tragedy strikes us, we get stunned and get stuck, unable to move ahead with our life. These precisely are the times when we seek solace by drawing inspiration from people who have been there before and have bravely overcome these adversities. These 3 amazing books are my personal favourites when we think about human courage and resilience. These 3 books are not only full of wisdom but are a testimony to the fact that nothing is bigger than the opportunity called life. However grim the situation may be, life always provides us with plenty to feel good about and cherish. And the most important lesson is to embrace life'e unpredictability.
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - This is about the author's tryst with life after being detected with a terminal pancreatic cancer. The book captures the lecture titled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" delivered by Randy Pausch at Carnegie Mellon in September 2007. The book provides immense learning as the author recollects the memories from his childhood to the present and the lessons he learnt. He further shares about how living life and enjoying every moment is much more than anything else and how, after getting aware of his illness he started valuing every moment of it. The core message delivered by the book is to enjoy the life to its fullest and cherish every shades in it because one never knows when life may end.
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom - Here's another gem and this book is all about the lessons and learnings on living and dying that the author(Mitch Albom) gathers from one of his university professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is suffering from ALS(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a disease characterised by death of neurons controlling voluntary muscles. After watching his college teacher on a TV program, the author connects with his professor after a gap of 16 years and visits him. The author spends 14 Tuesday's with his professor and every meeting is about lessons and learnings on living and dying.
- Enjoy Every Sandwich by Lee Lipsenthal - This book is another masterpiece about reality of life. The book details out the life of the author post diagnosis of esophageal cancer. Inspite of being a medical doctor, how the protagonist deals with the vagaries of life is the central theme of this book. With a 90% chance of dying within 5 years, the book traces the author's journey of realisation and his ascend by accepting mortality, finding purpose and mission in life and appreciating every moment of life.
So, to be fully alive and live well
- Accept Life's unpredictability
- Accept mortality and
- Always exhibit gratitude for what you have always
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