4 Books That Changed The Way I See The World

There’s something magical about a good book

I used to think that books were boring. That if there was a great story to be told, they’d make it into a movie at some point and I could watch that instead. I thought I could learn everything I needed to from my parents and science class. I look back on that shamefully.

Books have the ability to educate. To entertain. To make you reflect. To give you new perspectives. To inspire you. And to shape the way you see the world.

Most books I’ve read probably had some sort of impact on me. But some really stand out in memory. They shaped the way I currently think, taught me new lessons, and inspired me to imagine.

These are 4 of those books.

Start with Why — Simon Sinek

“Working hard for something we do not care about is called stress, working hard for something we love is called passion.”

In this book, Simon Sinek zeroes in on great leadership and inspiration. He argues that the most influential people in history have all thought, acted, and communicated in the same way — by starting with WHY.

Using a framework called The Golden Circle he explains that in order for us to be inspired and truly motivated to take action, we need to first have a sense of purpose.

We tend to focus on the processes (how) and outcomes (what) without really understanding the underlying motive. When we don’t have a clear purpose in mind, it’s difficult to persevere and stay on track in any endeavor and even more difficult to inspire others to follow.

Written in the context of business and entrepreneurship, this concept still has implications in everyday life.

Applying this to my own life, I now see the value in understanding the why behind my actions. Being caught up in the methods and results of the goals I set, usually leads me to burnout, stress, and ultimately failure.

Remodeling my mind to dig deep and reflect on my true motives first, has helped me remain inspired and driven in some of my most difficult times.

Ready Player One — ‎Ernest Cline

“For a bunch of hairless apes, we’ve actually managed to invent some pretty incredible things.”

Ready Player One is set in a dystopian future where life is so bad, that people escape their horrible reality through a VR entertainment universe called the OASIS. It follows a teenage boy on his search to unlock the hidden puzzles within the OASIS, puzzles left behind by its creator, that promise great wealth and fortune to the first person to unlock them.

This is one of my favorite books of all time. Not because of incredible writing or character development. But because of the world that Ernest Cline has created.

As someone with an IT background, and a deep appreciation for film, video games, and technology, this book not only embodies those elements but expands on what is currently possible and envisions a world that opens up millions of new possibilities.

The OASIS described in the book only depicts the tip of the iceberg in what would be possible in a virtual reality universe. But the VR future that Cline builds throughout the book has opened my eyes to both the positive and negative implications of such a world.

What peaks my interest more is the way I’ve seen technology and human culture advance since I read the book years ago.

The sheer scale of the OASIS implies the near perfection of artificial intelligence, a field that has improved significantly over the last decade or so. The explosion of gaming and e-sports in the last few years ties in perfectly to the gamified concept of the OASIS. Depression and escapism around the world increase year on year, a reality highlighted throughout the book that feeds into the necessity of the OASIS.

These are just a few parallels I’ve observed. There are plenty more.

I’m not saying the reality of Ready Player One will be ours. I believe we’ll have a better future.

In fact, the endless possibilities that I see now for VR and technology, in general, are something to be hopeful about. As long as our values as a society develop as fast as our technology, we should be fine.

Some Answered Questions — Abdu’l-Bahá

“Man is in reality a spiritual being and only when he lives in the spirit is he truly happy.”

A collection of table talks given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, first published in 1908, Some Answered Questions is a timeless read, with explanations and insights for some of life’s biggest questions.

It covers topics such as universal law, the origin of man, free will, and the immortality of the soul; Each topic described in-depth, with simplicity.

At its core, it explores the spiritual nature of man. How we as humans were created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization, through the development of the virtues and capacities latent within our souls.

This is one of the books I need to keep referring back to.

Looking at life through the lens of both material and spiritual progress has shifted my perspective on my life’s purpose. Knowledge of these two connected realities implies balance in all aspects of my life.

The knowledge, technology, and wealth I possess should be founded on values that shape them for my benefit and the benefit of those around me.

I now believe that service should be at the core of my life.

To carry out my work in a spirit of service. To be kind to others. To be fair. And to work for the betterment of the world. These are what I strive for.

The Alchemist — Paulo Coelho

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

One of the most simple yet thought-provoking books I’ve ever read, The Alchemist is a story of a shepherd boy who travels far and wide in search of a treasure. His journey into the unknown leads him through many chance encounters, and ultimately to the treasure within.

Beautifully written and inspiring in its purity, this story has helped reshape my approach to life and has solidified my understanding of effort and confirmation.

We have inestimable value within us. When we put one foot forward and persevere, the right path will be shown to us. We will be guided and ultimately succeed in what we set out to.

We may not always know where we are going. And there will always be obstacles along the way. But the journey matters most. We will be helped along the way. The universe wants us to succeed.

There is something magical about the impact of a book. You may read a book once and not gain much, but read it again years later and see it change your life. Your context matters just as much as what you read.

These are a few of the books I read at the right time. I found gems in each of them.

If you haven’t read them, I’d recommend you give them a shot. Who knows what you’ll find?