Take Life with a Grain of Zen

Take Life with a Grain of Zen by H.J. DeBoy is indeed "a refreshing out look on the day-to-day" as the secondary title of the book says. It reminds me of Paulo Coelho's Warrior of the Light as the writer strives to push the reader forward.

I cannot critique Take Life with a Grain of Zen based on characters and plot because the main character of this book is the Reader. The book consists of short prose pieces of advice along with quotes, bits of wisdom, ancient sayings and occasionally some poetry – though I have to stress that this book is not a poetry collection.

J. R. R. Tolkien once said "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Or as in this case 'all we have to decide is what to do with the words we read in this beautiful book'.

The book opens with a quote and a beautiful and realistic poem that I believe everyone can feel and understand and that many have undergone this stage of dying and getting ready to be reborn into their worlds and lives.

Then there is the piece: "Be the sunshine that warms the lonely heart./ Be the cool breeze that soothes the pain of grief./ Be the clear water that quenches the wounded soul./ Give what you would like to receive./ Each day will be that much more beautiful."

These five lines are all it takes to make you feel happy and ready to live again. I particularly loved the line "Be the clear water that quenches the wounded soul." The word "quenches" is powerful and perfect for "wounded soul".

The book has so many memorable lines, images and pieces of advice that I wish I could quote it all!

Take Life with a Grain of Zen is a book for all ages and all times. There are lines, which you just cannot help but admire and there are others that inspire you to remove all the negativity from your life and aspire to peacefulness and serenity since that is what 'being Zen' is all about. DeBoy knows that 'being Zen' is not an easy task but still shows you many ways by which you, the Reader, can bring comfort, peace and happiness into your life.