“One thing life taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else.” Eleanor Roosevelt
The Journey Of Life: 100 Lessons From Around The World - A Review
Recently, a dear friend gave me a book she had received at a fundraising event and once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. It was Sharon K. Sobotta’s The Journey Of Life: 100 Lessons From Around The World; described as “a tapestry of universally applicable lessons.” Even though the book was published in 2007, the beautiful pictures, powerful stories and wisdom she shared in this inspiring book remain timely and universal.
♥ No matter where you go or what you pursue, strive to always live with integrity
♥ Embrace the art of vulnerability as a spiritual practice
♥ Engage in activities you are passionate about
♥ Step out of your comfort zone whenever you can
♥ Find a creative outlet to express yourself
Another point that makes this book endearing is Sharon’s personal history; the road that led her to write The Journey Of Life: 100 Lessons From Around The World. She grew up in a working class home with a father who struggled with manic bipolar depression; her mom held the family together. A High School scholarship took her to Japan and started her lifelong love for travel. As she approached the end of her 20s, a series of events propelled her into publishing this book and it is filled with stories and 100 lessons gleaned from the lives of the generous souls included in it.
♥ Use your knowledge and talents to help others
♥ Experience Bhangra
♥ Seek unconventional and unpractical knowledge
♥ Develop a weekly ritual with your friends
♥ Don’t let wounds from the past paralyze you in the present
“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” Sir James Mathew Barrie
The Journey Of Life: 100 Lessons From Around The World - A Review ... each step counts
♥ Approach life as a checkerboard, not as a ladder
♥ Take risks
♥ Take public transportation
♥ Embrace the unpredictability of life
♥ Never let yourself be a victim of circumstance
The quote “Life is a long lesson in humility.” by James M. Barrie is apropos when we look at our own life’s journey, and I’m sure all of us can find vignettes to share with each other. Sharon interviewed over a 100 people from all walks of life for her book and that is how the 100 lessons were gathered. We get to read about the extraordinary stories shared by a variety of people from Michael Moore, Fidel Castro, Rebecca Walker, Anoushka Shankar to many regular folk. I will share the 100 lessons with you, but encourage you to borrow or buy the book and read the lessons and the accompanying stories… They are beautiful…
♥ Imagine the world through the eyes of children
♥ Love unconditionally and without fear
♥ Be inquisitive
♥ Communicate with strangers
♥ Do what you can to make the world a better place
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.” Henry David Thoreau
The Journey Of Life: 100 Lessons From Around The World - A Review... Life is a succession of Lessons...
♥ Think and act outside the box
♥ Mobilize, mentor and motivate
♥ Be willing to change
♥ No matter what you do in life, vow to always have fun
♥ Never forget where you came from or who inspired you along the way
The Journey of Life, is divided into eight chapters that spell out the word EMPOWER U - and each chapter covers a particular theme and features lessons learned and contributions from a wide range of people; famous and non-famous. The chapters are: Engaging in Life; living passionately and nourishing your soul, Mobilizing, Mentoring & Motivating; inspiring others and setting an example, Practicing What You Preach; staying in touch with your roots and living your ideologies, Overcoming Obstacles & Stereotypes; being the best that you can be, Waiting; understanding the virtues of patience and compromise, Empathizing with the World; relating to people from all walks of life, Reciprocating; mastering the art of giving, taking and appreciating, and Universal Truths to Live By. Come back for more later! 
♥ Be positive
♥ Be introspective
♥ Be a role model
♥ Be eclectic
♥ If there is no path leading you where you’d like to go, create your own
♥ Inspire and be inspired
♥ Always do your best
♥ Always stay true to yourself
♥ Before complaining, take action
♥ Read and internalize Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements
♥ The most important lesson I learned in life is….. (here’s one for you to complete – Do share!)
There is always More Below…
