When I asked my mother which book had impacted her most, she took a long time to find the book. Simply because she had read many books. There were countless books that had made an impact in her life. There were books that inspired her, books that motivated her, books that lifted her up when she was down. After much thought and deliberation, and many hours of flipping through her private collection of books, she finally found the book that made the greatest impact on her.
The book was titled "Happines is... a way of mind, a way of life". It was written by A.R. Bernard. There was this phrase in the book that really stuck in my mother's head. "Money can't buy happiness, but happiness may buy money." As stated by the book, we, humans are quick to equate money with happiness, no matter how many times we hear otherwise.
Is money the most important thing in the world? NO! Happiness is the most important thing in the world. This book actually has 30 chapters. My mother was supposed to read a chapter a day for one whole month. After reading a chapter, she was to spend a few minutes to reflect and think of the things that she had read.
The aim of this book is to transform you from an average person to one who lives life to the fullest and enjoys life. In short, this book will make you a happier person. My mother definitely changed. She went from an easily irritated woman to one who was more understanding. Being less irritated, she was definitely a happier woman.
My mother felt that this was the book that impacted her the most as not many books can actually change a person within 30 days. However, she told me that in her mini library of books there were other books that also made an impact on her. I am really interested to find out more about them. As for this book that made the most impact on my mother, my mother says, "Read It".
Books can change lives but this one REALLY impacted on your mom. I like your last line. Do you think you might try reading, at least part of it? What's really interesting is that this is the second post where a parent has read a book that warned against the dangers of equating money with happiness. I think there's something there!!
ReplyDeleteMr. S, are you talking about Oprah Winfrey who inspired Mattheus' mother? Oprah Winfrey said never make money your motive. Well, I think though Mattheus' mother and my mother's choice of book is different, it happens to have the same motive: to tell the whole world that money does not equal to happiness. This shows that money really does not equate to happiness.
ReplyDeleteEh Prawnhead, I thought you said your mother was very irritating? You mean she changed in a few weeks? And don't learn from Mr. Bose. "Read it", bah, no will power to think of something more creative.
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