Book review of “Four things that matter most” by Dr Ira Byock

This one of my all time favourite books in the “life and living” category is “The Four Things That Matter Most“. While this book has been written by a physician, Dr. Ira Byock, dealing with terminally ill patients, this book is first and foremost a book about living. This book’s main tenets are 4 important phrases-

Saying these Four to friends and families has been life altering for many even at the last stages of their lives. The Four Things That Matter Most have helped people heal their relationships with their families, friends and even with themselves. Others have found closure in relationships which were bitter and possibly beyond redemption, releasing them from the burden of carrying a grudge and anger for the rest of their lives. Badly broken relationships due to past lies, separation and divorce, betrayal, broken promises and even abuse have been mended or healed with some people even coming closer than ever before.

The act of forgiving others (and even ourselves) is one of the hardest things to do and often the one that is most required

The act of forgiving others (and even ourselves) is one of the hardest things to do and often the one that we require to practice the most. It is a choice that a person has to make consciously for their own sake rather than the person being forgiven. This lessons learned from this chapter I keep close to my heart.

In the end this book is about a celebration of the bonds that we have with others. It helps us forgive, appreciate, love and celebrate one another and live a complete and fulfilling life.