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Book Review: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari



I have read a few inspirational and self-help live-better books and this book will certainly not rank among the top tier. The story just does not flow naturally –  giving it a second thought it seems more like a Bollywood saga. All bad things happen to a successful person, he fights back and then a happy ending. I will rate it as an average book in the relevant genre.  Nonetheless, even though the binding story is mediocre, the message is very powerful. Sharma states 7 principles and explains them in detail:
1. Master your mind
2. Follow your purpose
3. Practice kaizen
4. Live with discipline
5. Respect your time
6. Selflessly serve others
7. Embrace the present  

Favorite Quotes: 

“Happiness is a journey, not a destination”
“The moment I stopped spending so much time chasing the big pleasure of life. I began to enjoy the little ones, like watching the stars dancing in moonlit sky or soaking in the sunbeams of a glorious summer morning.”

“Saying that you don't have time to improve your thoughts and improve your lives is like saying you don't have time to stop at the gas station because you are too busy driving.”

“Act as if failure is impossible, and your success will be assured. Wipe out every thought of not achieving your objectives, whether they are material or spiritual. Be brave, and set no limits on the workings of your imagination.”
“Never be a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future.”

 “When one door closes another opens. But we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we fail to see the one that has opened for us.”
“Time slips through our hands like grains of sand, never to return again. Those who use time wisely from an early age are rewarded with rich, productive and satisfying lives.”
“Wage war against the weaker thoughts that have crept into the palace of your mind. They will see that they are unwanted and leave like unwelcome visitors.”
“The mind is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master”

“Worry drains the mind of its power and, sooner or later, it injures the soul”
“The Chinese character for 'crisis' is comprised of two sub-characters: one that spells danger and another that spells opportunity. I guess that even the ancient Chinese knew that there is a bright side to the darkest circumstance — if you have the courage to look for it”
“I have had dreams and I have had nightmares. I overcame the nightmares because of my dreams”
“Things are always created twice: first in the workshop of the mind and then, and only then, in reality”
“There is nothing noble about being superior to some other person. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.”
“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds: your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive and you discover yourself to be a greater person than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”
“Success, like happiness, cannot be pursued. It must ensue. And it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself.”
“There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There is no such thing as a negative experience, only opportunities to grow, learn and advance along the road of self-mastery. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a wonderful teacher.”
“The only limits on your life are those that you set yourself.”

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