By Richard Reed
As an older adult, I like to think that I know a lot. You know, the “I have been there, done that” mentality. Sadly, as I read, listen, watch and interact with others I have quickly learned that I know so little. Everyone comes from a different background and has experienced so many things that I have not. Simply by osmosis you can not help but learn more each day.
If you are like me, and are curious about other people and what you can learn from them, then “If I could Tell You Just One Thing” is the book for you. It is a compilation of 68 interviews with the famous such as entertainers, Simon Cowell, Judy Dench and Jude Law; the politically powerful like President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Tony Blair; the spiritually influential such as The Dali Lama and Reverend Libby Lane, the super rich, Bill Gates and Sir Richard Branson, adventurer like Bear Grylls who summited Mt. Everest, and survivors like Lily Ebert (Auschwitz concentration camp) and Katie Piper (domestic abuse).
Not all of those interviewed are household names, but each has his or her own unique story and nugget of gold to offer that I am confident will enrich your life. As the author states in his introduction, “If I Could Tell You Just One Thing… walks the full spectrum of human experiences and emotions… from people who have made it to others who have endured incredible hardships and those that have witnessed the worst of what humans can do to one another.”
The one question the author asks each person interviewed is the same: “Given all that you have experienced, given all that you now know and given all that you have learnt, if you could pass on only one piece of advice, what would it be?” Here is a few of those who were interviewed and their responses to that question.
Bill Clinton, President of the United States, 1992-2000.
“One of the most important things is to see people. The person who opens the door for you, the person who pours your coffee. Acknowledge them. Show them respect.”
Terry Waite, Hostage for 5 years in Lebanon, four of which were in solitary confinement.
“It is the same lesson I learnt in that cell. What you have to do is live for the day, you have to say, now is life, this very moment. It is not tomorrow, it’s not yesterday, it’s now, so you have to live it as fully as you can. Invest in every day.”
Esther Perel, the world’s most renowned relationship therapist.
“The quality of your life ultimately depends on the quality of your relationships. Not on your achievements, not on how smart you are, not on how rich you are…”
Simon Cowell, entertainer and entrepreneur.
“My best advise is to listen, listen rather than talk.”
Shami Chakrabarti, former director of Liberty, a human rights lobbying organization in Britain and who after 9/11 was given the name “most dangerous person in Britain” because of her work with terrorists and criminals.
“Powerful elites in the world always succeed by divide and rule, using tools like fear and racism. But solidarity, the basic human connection we can all have with one another, is stronger. It is the magic weapon to achieve change. If we remember human rights are the same as my human rights, even if we don’t look the same, and if we support one another we all benefit, we all become stronger. Ultimately, we are each other’s security.”
Editors Note: Does this not ring true in the era of Trump?
Lieutenant Colonel Lucy Giles, the first female college commander to run the Sandhurst Military Academy, the most revered military institution in Britain.
“Life is about doing the right thing, on a difficult day, when no one is looking.”
Laila Ali, the most successful female boxer in history, four-time world champion, CEO of her own beauty business, best selling author, TV host, actor, mom and daughter of Mohammad Ali, arguably the worlds most famous athlete.
“We all have what it takes, inside us. Trust yourself, trust your intuition. Don’t let someone else be in control of your destiny, don’t not go after your passion because of fear. Look fear in the yes and say, “I am coming after you.”
I have talked to a number of people who have said that one special encounter with another person or one piece of advice has changed their life. In “If I Could Tell You One Thing” you will have 68 of these encounters and pieces of advice that could have an enduring impact on your life.
“If I Could Tell You One Thing” is well written and an easy read. I had a difficult time putting it down once I started. I believe you will too. As an older adult, I still have so much to learn.
To conclude here is the one piece of advice from Bill Gates, the richest man in the world.
“Foster your love of reading. It’s our core skill as human beings. It’s the gateway to everything else. It gets you involved.”
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If you’d like more info please contact Mike.