A Journey in
Search of Happiness by Ramya R. Moorthy is a multi-focused self-help book that
aims to inspire millions of people across the world for leading a meaningful
life. The USP of the book is that teachings related to leading a meaningful
life constantly flow in the backdrop, however, on its façade, we see that it’s
wrapped with some fictionalized tale. Unlike the most of the self-help books
that keep on bantering with no plot or fixed characters, this book is
different. We have gotten to see that the story in the book is roped in with
some characters, though from one family only.
The main
character of the book is Shivani. She is a mother of two children, and in her
personal life a successful IT entrepreneur. As the story commences, we see that
their daughter Anila has been infected with hearing loss accidentally. She is
upset. On her twelfth birthday, Shivani and her family go to Phuket for a
vacation. Shivani takes up the challenge to inspire her daughter. There in
Phuket, the duo of mother and daughter get involved into teachings mainly about
five life principles for self-development, which includes the following:
- Count your blessings
- Meaning of success
- Happiness secret
- Self-realization
- Self-discipline
For each principle,
there has been given a separate chapter. Also, whatever conversation or
exchange of knowledge takes place between them is being recorded in a recorder,
which is later listened by Anila’s father.
Other than the
story of a family and their vacation, personal stories of Shivani’s struggles,
and a few more aspects, and in the core of the book runs these five principles.
The author has presented them in a lucid and easy to understandable way. To
clarify the doubts, she chose the young girl, who not only had some difficulty
in grasping the concepts but also asked relevant questions. The book made
perfect logic.
Much focus has
been given on ‘Game Changers’. It means the people who become successful and
happy in life. They achieve what they think and in return inspire millions of
people across the world. In the very first concept ‘Count your Blessings’, we
come to know that each individual on the earth has some or other sort of
talent. And those who identify that, they become the game changers provided
they make use of that with the help of important virtues like self-discipline
and self-realization, etc.
To support the
concepts, the author has from time to time narrated the references from books,
inspiring quotes, life stories of many successful people (businessmen,
scientists, sports players, etc.).
Isn’t a
dazzling quote related to count your blessings?
“We all need a combination of multiple
talents to excel and meet our life’s purpose.”
The book is
full of such inspiring quotes, other than exciting references. The core value
of the book focuses on chasing happiness over success or any other worldly
achievements. The author has been right in saying that many think that success
means wealth and fame, with very little to do with the satisfaction or
happiness. From the given five concepts, the author tried conveying that do not
seek for just success, rather go for happiness, because the later is a kind of
complete package.
A lot of
information has also given on the concepts related to SELF such as
self-discipline, self-belief, self-realization, and so on.
Happiness and
success are related but may not be directly proportional. The author has given
a lot of emphasis on understanding both happiness and success separately. Many
people mix them. Well, in reality it is otherwise.
As a matter of
fact, the book has too much to offer via these five principles. Well, it would
not be possible to give away all pointers in one review, for the best
utilization, we would recommend you to pick up the book from Amazon. Since the
book is just around 150 pages, so it is easy to finish it one round.
It’s a
meaningful book and it seems that the author has put in a lot of effort while
deciding the content of the book, the timely insertion of other’s stories is as
good as gold.
The focus on
women’s roles and responsibilities is another great aspect of the book. The
story of Shivani made us learn to be resilient and rise up like a phoenix.
Incredibly a helpful book.
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