Are you startled by a book cover of a man with a gun to his head, coupled with the title: Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It ? I was.
What the Heck?
What is this? Clever marketing? Is the author trying to shock me? Well, mission accomplished! He got my attention! So I read the intro, then I turned the page, then another page. In under an hour, I had finished the book — and I read slowly. I highlighted. I stopped to reflect.
And the verdict? Was it clever marketing? Nope. It was brilliant marketing. And I give my full gratitude to the brains behind it. Based on that image, coupled with those specific words in the title, I read the truth of a man who was as low as you could possibly imagine, and the story of how he turned it all around.
Coaxed Into Publishing
The author, Kamal Ravikant, didn’t set out to write a self-help book. Hell, he had to be coaxed into publishing this book in the first place. And the world is better for it. I am better for it. And whether you’re depressed, not depressed, struggling, not struggling, at some point in your life, you will need this book. Or someone you love will need this book.
I can’t tell you too much of the story; I don’t want to give anything away. You see, in less than an hour of reading, you’ll not only learn his story, but you’ll also learn exactly how he pulled himself out of a seemingly black hole. Yes, he tells you exactly how he did it, step-by-simple-step.
Pick One Thing
Someone relatively new to my blog recently asked me who I studied to develop my beliefs on trust, love, forgiveness? Which books did I read? Did I attend seminars and courses? Which ones?
My response, “Yes, yes, and yes.”
“But which ones?” they pressed.
“Probably too many. Too many to absorb, that is. I’m beginning to wonder how many years I spent acquiring surface knowledge, intellectual knowledge, versus allowing the truth of the lesson to course my veins and penetrate my heart.”
So, when I got to the last page of Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It, and I read these words, I just had to stop and smile:
I think that instead of reading loads of self-help books, attending various seminars, listening to different preachers, we should just pick one thing. Something that feels true for us. Then practice it fiercely.” ~ Kamal Ravikant
Practice Fiercely. Love Yourself Fiercely.
Got an hour? Pick one thing. I would encourage you to pick this one thing. And in the words of the author, if it feels true to you, then practice it fiercely.
Directly after finishing the Kindle version, I hopped on Amazon and bought the paperback. I want to hold the book in my hands. I want to own it and feel the pages. I want to read it even more slowly the second time, with highlighter and pencil in hand, how I normally read.
Here is a preview of two beauties I know I’ll highlight again:
“Imagine the feeling of catching yourself loving yourself without trying. It’s like catching a sunset out of the corner of your eye. It will stop you.”
“Fall in love with yourself. Let your love express itself and the world will beat a path to your door to fall in love with you.”
Put the gun down. Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It.
This is a Share-er for sure. This book will either benefit you or someone who sees this post. Share with Love, as I’m sharing with you.
Headed to the bookstore. Thanks, Leslie.
You are going to LOVE it, Carla!! Kamal is a man, not trying to make a penny, simply sharing his truth in such an honest way. The simplicity of it is brilliant!
However….I think it might be an Amazon purchase thing only. I hope I’m not mis-speaking, but I don’t think it’s in bookstores. Please let me know if you find it in a retail space.
My paperback from Amazon has already shipped and is scheduled to arrive this week. Until then, I have it on my iPad (it’s the FIRST ebook I’ve EVER read!).
YEs I am headed out to get this one too! Thanks for this brilliant review. I have just finished Lisa Selow’s A Rebel Chick Mystic’s Guide, and well she has me very motivated to get back to me and my true self, this book looks to be on that track! lisaselow.com if anyone wants to take a look at her book. Thanks for this review!
Thank you for leaving a comment, Katy! I’m glad you found this useful!
Please see my response to Carla regarding this being an Amazon only purchase (or so I think). Please let me know if you see it sold at any retail stores — I’d love to be able to point people in the right direction to get it — but as far as I know, it’s Amazon only.
This has to be one of my favorite write-ups about the book. Thank you, Leslie. I’m honored.
(also, in response to your commenters, the book is only available via amazon – kindle and paperback)
Reading your book was such a pleasure. There I was, with two time sensitive deliverables due, and I figured I’d just read the intro and save the rest for later. Whatever! I put everything on the back burner, read the entire thing, then felt compelled to write a blog post. That’s how much I loved it!
Thank you for being so brave to share your truth. Love, Leslie
If you want a really good read that will change your life and make you a better person and more importantly love other people, or at least get a handle on them, then Scott M Peck’s The Road Less Travelled is a multi million best seller for a very good reason. Full of common sense – no BS in this book.
Sounds good, Simon! Thanks for leaving a comment. It seems to me that I actually had that book at one time, but when I went to look for it just now, it’s nowhere to be found. ?? I’ll definitely grab a copy soon. Thanks again!