Book Review: The 5 People You Meet In Heaven

The 5 People You Meet In Heaven

 

This is one of the most interesting books I have ever heard....dont worry, this isnt a typo. I did indeed say heard. There are audiobooks u know :P

The book tells the story of Eddie, an 86 years old war vet and maintenance worker for a theme park called Ruby Pier with a seemingly uneventful life. After his death, he goes to heaven and meets 5 people whose lives have been affected by him whether knowingly or unknowingly and they all teach him a valuable lesson abt life.

The first person he meets is a bluish looking circus clown, Blue Man - from the clown Eddie learns that he unknowingly affected this man's life by becoming the reason for his death. However, he tells Eddie not to apologize as he died so that Eddie could live.

Every action has a a far reaching effect. So we should be careful of our actions, just like the "Butterfly Effect" theory that everything indirectly effects everything else, and even one small insignificant incident can change the world.

Secondly, he meets his former Capt.- who teaches him that experiences in life change who we are and that sacrifice is a part of life...its something to aspire to. Therefore, there is no need to be ashamed of sacrifice. Its truly one of the noblest thing a human being can do for when you think you are losing something, ur really just passing it on to someone else. "Your lose will always be somebody's gain!"

The third person he meets is Ruby, namesake of Ruby Pier - she teaches him the importance of forgiveness. Silence is rarely a refuge for your thoughts will still haunt you as was the case with his father. Moreover, keeping grudges will only eat you up from inside and make you bitter.

Life is too short and beautiful to be lived with bitterness....forgiveness not only lightens up our hearts but makes us better people too. Because at the end of the day, nobody is perfect. We are all humans and humans err. ;)

The fourth person he meets in heaven is is wife, Marguerite - she teaches him the lesson of love. She explains to him that love does not have an end. When people die, love just takes on another form. 

Consequently, he should let go of the feeling of being cheated since he always felt she was taken from him to soon. Nevertheless, she and her love were always there with him in the form of memories!

The fifth person Eddie meets is Tala, a young Filipino girl - she told him that everyone has a purpose in life that not only affects their own life but the lives of others as well, even if you dont realize it.

After reading this book, my view abt heaven changed. Heaven is no longer just a beautiful & perfect place that houses God and all his angels but its also where you learn and understand abt the significance of your life and its far reaching effects.

It got me thinking abt lots of questions: Who are the 5 people I would meet? Will I have made anybody proud and most importantly, would my life have a positive effect on anybody?

If I could have made even 1 person smile during their lowest moments, be there for a friend when in need, or even just positively touch the life of a stranger somewhere.....I would consider my time on this Earth worthwhile! After all, strangers are just family we have yet to come to know ;)

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. Its a touching story that everyone can relate to and it'll certainly get you thinking, but that isnt such a bad thing now is it?:)

So go and get yourselves a copy! As for all you lazy people out there, if u cant bring yourselves to read this book than just go download the audiobook or watch the movie!! :P