"Life's Little Instruction Book"

H. Jackson Brown Jr.'s Life's Little Instruction Book is a collection of 1,560 instructions on how to lead a fruitful life. Jackson originally wrote the instructions for his college-bound son. I think he decided to publish them in a book after he figured out he could make a fortune by doing so. Or maybe he earnestly desired to inspire young people with his wisdom.

If Jackson's motive for publishing the instructions in a book was to inspire young people, then he achieved his aim. Boy, didn't the book inspire me when I read it in December 2015!

The instructions in the book encompass all the important areas of a human life: thinking, reading, praying, living with integrity, having a successful marriage, bringing up children and interacting with our fellow human beings. Let me briefly share with you, my beloved reader, what the instructions say on those areas.

On thinking, Jackson tells us that our minds can only hold one thought at a time; we should therefore make every thought positive and constructive. Aware of the toxic people in this world, he urges us to protect our enthusiasm from the negativity of others.

On reading, Jackson beseeches us to read more books and watch less TV, adding that the more we know, the less we fear. He also advises us to study the Bible, re-read our favorite books and lend only those books we never care to see again.

On praying, Jackson tells us to believe in the power of prayer and places particular emphasis on praying for wisdom and courage.

On living with integrity, Jackson urges us to never compromise our integrity or work for people of questionable character. He advises us to lead such a life that when our children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think about us.

On having a successful marriage, Jackson cautions us to never marry someone in the hope that they'll change later. He advises us to marry only for love. And we should marry someone we enjoy talking to and who likes music.

On bringing up children, Jackson tells us to start saving for our children's education as soon as we get married. He advises us to be good role models for our children, to create in them a positive self-image, to never compare them with their siblings and to not make finishing everything on their plate an issue.

On interacting with our fellow human beings, Jackson exhorts us to be forgiving of ourselves and others and to never lose our anger or allow anyone to intimidate us. And he enlightens us that 80% of success in any job depends on our ability to deal with people.

H. Jackson Brown Jr.'s Life's Little Instruction Book is indeed an inspiring read. I recommend it to all young people trying to establish themselves in the world. And if I ever get lucky to have kids, the book will certainly be my gift to my children when they turn 18.

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RECOMMENDATION: If you've enjoyed the above review of H. Jackson Brown Jr.'s Life's Little Instruction Book, you might also enjoy another one on Ben Carson's Think Big. Just click that link in blue to dive straight into the review.