From the New York Times bestselling author of Alternate Side, Anna Quindlen’s classic reflection on a meaningful life makes a perfect gift for any occasion.
“Life is made of moments, small pieces of silver amidst long stretches of tedium. It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won’t happen.
This literary piece is by far my favorite short literary piece, though short, its meaning is massive. In this treasure of a book, Anna Quindlen, the bestselling novelist, and columnist, reflects on what it takes to “get a life”—to live deeply every day and from your own unique self, rather than merely to exist through your days. “Knowledge of our own mortality is the greatest gift God ever gives us,” Quindlen writes, “because unless you know the clock is ticking, it is so easy to waste our days, our lives.”
In the book consist of photographs that indicate happiness for people like old photographs of children, parents, a photo of a carnival, ice cream, and biking. I don't read or browse through self-help books much or in books that don't get distributed by teachers. You get to a certain age, however, 21 in my case and, if life deals you a bad hand once in a while, the questions grow and the answers become elusive or impossible to grasp.
Quindlen's simple ruminations on living a fuller, richer, happier life made me aware of the precious minutes, seconds I've let slip by without any notice.
This world would be a much better place if people who read books like this would look beyond their initial "cliché" reaction, and actually think about why counsel like this becomes so common. If people read this literary piece and actually go by this book then people would be more sentimental and happier. they would be able to choose happiness, how to be happy and how life is so short that people in your life is actually really important especially when you get old.
Perhaps because it reflects a deeper truth to which we should pay attention? As Quindlen says "You are the only person alive who has sole custody of your life." That being true, then counsel such as hers (whether original or not) that helps us to see what will bring happiness and joy to ourselves and others is priceless.
This small book takes minutes to read, but a wise reader will think about its teachings for far longer, and then act upon them.
Here are some key points in the book that has been said and really stick to me:
1. Show up. Listen. Try to laugh.
Showing up is one of the most important things in the world to people, this means you care. Even on the days that you dont feel like showing up, show up, because that can make a difference. If you show up, you end up making a better relationship with someone.
2. You cannot be really good at your work if your work is all you are.
you need to improve yourself so that you are better, and when you are better, your mindset will change and your life will follow.
3. Get a life, a real life. Not a manic pursuit of the next promotion.
Live in the moment, be present. planning ahead may be good, but always remember to be present.
4. Turn off your cell phone. Keep still. Be present.
Being present means fully enjoying the moment that you are in. It is the moment when you are calm and you know exactly what you want. You are focused on what you're doing without thinking about anything else.
5. Get a life in which you are generous.
Give. By giving, you are being a blessing to the person you are giving to. The more you do for others, the more you do for yourself. In times of chaos, Let kindness spread like wildfire.
6. All of us want to do well, but if we do not do good too then doing well will never be enough.
Become the hardest working person for you. Dont downgrade your dreams just to fit in your reality. Upgrade your life and your conviction to match your destiny.
7. Knowledge of our own mortality is the greatest gift God gives us.
It is so easy to exist rather than to live… Unless you know a clock is ticking.
8. We live in more luxury today than ever before. The things we have today our ancestors thought existed for just the wealthy. And yet, somehow, we are rarely grateful for all this wealth.
9. The hardest thing of all is to learn to love the journey, not the destination.
Have faith in your journey, everything had to happen exactly as it did to get you where you are going next, be happy to where you are now. You will get to your destination, on your own time.
10. This is not a dress rehearsal. Today is the only guarantee you get.
Live as if it is your last day.
11. Think of life as a terminal illness.
Live life up to the fullest.
12. School never ends. The classroom is everywhere.
Everywhere, you learn everywhere. The environment is a classroom. Knowledge is not contained in a classroom.
13. Always stay ready to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Remember ... Gratitude is the Best Attitude.
I learned something to live through, in a very short period of time, about life. And that was that it was glorious and that you had no business taking it for granted.” But how to live from that perspective, to fully engage in our days?
In A Short Guide to a Happy Life, Quindlen guides us with an understanding that comes from knowing how to see the view, the richness in living.
Life is not about who you once were, it is about who you are now, and who you have the potential to be.
I love Anna Quindlen, and in this book, gives some advice for people who need a reminder of how to live a happy life.
She talks of how easy it is to fall into a lot of work: People don’t talk about the soul very much anymore. It’s so much easier to write a résumé than to craft a spirit. And that no one regretted of spending not enough time in the office.
Anna's change happened when she was in college and her mom died from cancer. She realized that life is glorious and that we should have no business taking it for granted. And that she was never again going to be able to see life as anything except a great gift. And that we should be there, for ourselves and for others: I no longer consider myself the center of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh.
Love the small things, enjoy them, embrace the little gifts of life, they are everywhere. We just need to open our eyes, and love the people around us.
Get a life in which you notice the smell of saltwater pushing itself on a breeze over the dunes, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over a pond and a stand of pines.
Get a life in which you pay attention to the baby as she scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a Cheerio with her thumb and first finger. Turn off your cell phone. Turn off your regular phone, for that matter. Keep still. Be present.
Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Each time I look at my diploma, I remember that I am still a student, still learning every day how to be human.
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