Can non-fictions be fun? Complete review on Robin Sharma's 'Who will cry when you die'
- Lunatica
- Jun 13, 2020
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 29, 2021
Hi guys. I am back this week with another segment in my book reviews. (I promise the next blog won't be about a book)
I was the person who rated 'The monk who sold his Ferrari' a three-star and added a comment
'Non-fictions is hard for me to read'.
I have read immense positive comments about Robin Sharma. Surely, he is an amazing motivational speaker and writer but I am not much of a non-fiction fan (If you look at my 'read' list in Goodread. You'll understand).
I came across this book in Storytel and I started it with no expectations and just for winding down before my sleep.
But, the book kept me on such a hook that I decided to makes notes and listen actively, instead of using it as a passive lullaby. (Which is why I love audiobooks. They serve as both)
I will be providing an in-depth review, which means you won't probably have to read this yourself. This review will suffice.
However, if you are looking for just a few words and a rating?
Here, 5/5 stars. Amazing, knowledgable, involving, quick and captivating.
These are the 5 words I have.
Moving on to the in-depth analysis
I actually decided to start the review with some of the things that I found in the book, that I already knew. And funny enough they were very few, just 5 in number.
Environment shapes your thinking. This environment includes people you surround yourself with, the place where you work at and thoughts you think or have throughout the day. The last one can be influenced by the former two. I had a friend always tell me, you become like the 3 people, you surround yourself with. I guess that is incredibly true because we all have felt amazing in the company of a positive person and this is one of the main parts of any self-help book. Earlier this seemed selfish to me but now I think the idea of putting one's mask first, seems right. Also, I always believed in a workplace which is calmer and isolated (INTROVERT ALERT)
LEGACY STATEMENT: This one might be weird for some people but I have my own list of things that I want to have after I die? Some might even ask the question of would it matter? It surely will. For those who surround you. For those who are inspired by you or care about you. So, the legacy statement is something like a time capsule that you don't have to bury. (AND PLEASE DON'T ASK ME WHAT MINE INCLUDES. GO ON, AND THINK FOR YOURSELF)
I have always wanted to find higher meaning in my career. Friendships. Life as in too. My sister would mock me for that but I guess the author understands it. Finding higher meaning in one's work is one of the chapters. It could be even helping others. Your family. Something that isn't just the money you get, at the end of your pay cycle.
Building a library. I LOVE THIS. This has been my goal, ever since I was a kid. I literally want to retire and own a library where I lend kids memories of my own in the form of books (YEAH I WANNA READ THAT MANY BOOKS)
Watching news too often. The book asks you to take breaks from this too. Well, I always felt bad about watching the tv news. I switched to the digital platform and I experienced the same kind of anxiety when situations arise. Though media is a way of raising voice but we need to exist in the physical world, alive, to have a voice. So, it's better to have a day or two off from the news.
What I found amusing:
The book has a chapter with the name 'Maintain your perspective'. In that chapter, there is a story included about two patients which is something similar to the image I have shared below. It is a moving story that you can look up.
Saying 'No' is deemed to be very very important. That's how you prioritize your life.
Taking breaks. Actually, I have been literally too PRODUCTIVE(with more than two "o" productive) in the lockdown which has caused me to have more breakdowns. So, I genuinely plan a day for rest. Rest from studies. Rest from exercises. Rest from even, laptop. This way I keep on having the motivation of looking forward to doing it tomorrow. The book shares the wonderful word of 'Sabbath' for the same.
'Chinta hi Chita hai' has made an entry in the book. Meaning worry is deathbed.
Talks about the fact that one's temple doesn't have to be a place of religion. It can be a cozy corner for meditation. The gym to reset. Or even the shower for alone time.
Emphasizes the need to be alone and in solitude. A word I have been relating to forever. (Ask me who has no friends. Ok, I'm just kidding. Don't start dm'ing me that you are my friend)
Taking more risks. Robin Sharma has his way of making you do things. We all end up having regrets about our life. So, it's better to just make mistakes than be sorry.
The book highly stresses the habit of reading. And has given its own set of recommendations of books but one fact I loved was that Robin asks the reader to carry books. Yes, carry books. I always did. Even as a kid, I had a comic book or tinkle in my hand that made me sane for the days I was away.
Getting into someone else's shoes. This is something our whole generation doesn't give a sh*t about. I honestly have believed in this and I try my 100% to see from others' POV, sometimes that has even humbled me in situations I was supposed to be mad? Yeah. But most of the people I have met, don't bother about things unless it happens to them. So, let's just work on it fellas. (OK I AM CHANGING THIS ANGRY TONE IN the NEXT LINE. Personal anger directed towards people I have known)
I absolutely loved the part where he tells about his son Coby's writeup and handprint. You can definitely read that section if you want. The moral of the chapter just is 'See your children as gifts'
The book urges you to become AWARE of your shortcomings before handling them because that is the first step. Accepting.
'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari' talked about developing a habit. And how 21 days will be the minimum for cultivating it and one mustn't quit before that. I have used this principle and I did cultivate exercising daily into my routine using this method. The same has been highlighted in this book.
'Give to those, who have nothing to give to you' ~Seva, Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur. Robin Sharma asks us to help. Serve and volunteer, for it'll make us content in our own self. It is a way of giving back for what we are blessed with.
Moving on, my next section will be some of the words I absolutely loved and might be posting on my wall.
1. About the things you can't change:
'God, give us the grace to accept with serenity things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed and wisdom, to distinguish one from other.'
Also, I heard this in 13rw (Totally unrelated. Yeah IK)
2. About Forgiveness:
Robin Sharma quotes Mark Twain 'Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that crushes it'.
Something, I need to work on a lot.
Robin Sharma is the therapist you underpaid for. Really. He makes you do things. Not just sit and read.
Keeping a journal. Journal isn't a diary, something only Robin Sharma has explained. What distinguishes the two is you have to analyze and evaluate the former. You need only 15 mins of your day to do this.
Starting your day well. The platinum 30, as he calls it. One should use the first 30 mins very efficiently. I have been using mine to meditate (Most days at least)
Practicing tough self-love. Okay, this one is actually tough. You gotta push yourself to do the boring stuff till they become enjoyable. I have practiced this for my exam preparations etc and, yes it does work because of the end result being satisfaction. Also, over time you fall in love with the process too.
Getting up early. People have stressed this for ages. I don't know what about 'Us' night owls but yea whenever I have woken up a bit earlier than other family people, I have accomplished more from my 'me time'. Ofc, no surprise that this comes from the author of the 5-am club.
Robin Sharma wants you to have a no-watch day. So, you can do things at your own pace. And, he practices what he preaches.
Blessing money that you forward. This one was more of a psychological and spiritual thing.
Writing 'thank you' notes to those who deserve it.
Making a 'Love Account' which will include the amount you wanna spend in donation etc... (You get the point)
This one is a bummer. Robin wants you to list your problems on a page. He mentions how one will find many of these can be solved just there and some can be very trivial and lame.
This one is probably something I want to use more often. Anger management. Counting till 100. He talks about the philosophy of having gates before the words are out in the world. The first gate for 'is it the truth?', second 'is this necessary?' and third and final 'is this kind?'. I think it makes sense. But, I wish we followed it that easily. Maybe we'll, with practice.
Making playlists of songs/music that you enjoy (Something that I already added to my 'to-do list')
Robin recommends a walking method. Yes, a walking method. Something as simple as that, which you might have been doing since you were a toddler, could be wrong. He actually asks people to look around and/or read/listen to books. The second part I am most effective in doing. But, not the first one. (okay, this reminds me of my friend, who used to look at even the buildings while we went for long walks. I used to tease him about it but, I get you ♥)
Planting Tree. No explanations needed.
He asks you to make a list of '12 things' you want to do for the next year or the next upcoming 12 months (because why wait?) That will excite you. I have made mine but I am not gonna share it right now.
Prepare yourself a 'HERO LIST'. This is about the people who inspire you. And, those you want to meet. I haven't made mine yet. And I, probably don't have my 100. But, one person making all of these lists for me is 'Sarah Kay'. You can check her amazing poetry out on youtube. I'll link my favorites down below.
Having a 'Board of directors'. When we face an issue, it's similar to a company having an issue. They approach their board of directors to solve them. So, similarly, we make our own for our problems. They can be people you know, people who are dead but have inspired you. People from the media (please don't add actors. Jk add whoever you like), historical personality, etc. I made mine but haven't used it yet for a problem. But I've tried to do this with my imagination. Didn't work much but it helped me to have positive self-talk. (I acted out as the other person. Yeah. I am weird)
Thinking about an Ideal neighborhood. This is similar to the above point and some of the people you wrote earlier might be here too. These are the people you might want in your surrounding. Go ahead, spend some time doing these activities. I am sure it will uplift your mood. At first, this might seem difficult. Research and learn about yourself.
Last but not the least, 'The recommendations'.
Robin Sharma has recommended books, music, and movies to people in the novel. I'll list down the books below just in case you want to check them out because I might be doing it.
The Artist's way, Julian Cameron
Meditation, Marcus Aurelius
Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse
The juice Man's power of juicing, Jay Kordich (Cookbook)
Tuesdays with Morrie
As the Man thinketh, James Allen
Now for the songs/music. (I haven't tried these)
Free falling, Cannon in D
Johann Pachelbel jazz legend's 'Round Midnight'
Tracks of Braveheart and Everest.
Tips for enjoying non-fiction:
Listen, instead of reading.
Write down points and quotes you like. This way you are more involved with the book.
Practice what is being taught. Don't just sit there reading. Do try some of the things out. You might actually be adapting the heavenly habits of the happiest people on earth.
Links to my favorites of Sarah Kay:
About friendship: https://youtu.be/esgfG3BoAPc
About love: https://youtu.be/cPG6nJRJeWQ
About writing: https://youtu.be/54ST8bwOVyc
About living: https://youtu.be/VShVwQtIFF8
About breakups: https://youtu.be/TmQSFGJS454 and best, https://youtu.be/tlcTGDRX450
About teachers: https://youtu.be/ANRZ8z6t7aM
About the future, I'm not sure of: https://youtu.be/0snNB1yS3IE
I love most of her poems. I am a huge fan. She is an inspiration and an amazing poet.
Fun Fact around the book: I made a non-reader read the book and he enjoyed it. (All the more reasons for everyone to read this) And he actually did the tasks. Shout out to my colleague 'Ashish' :) You are cherished...
That's it, guys. Will be back next week.
Love
Luna
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