Who Moved My Cheese? Book Review

Life's biggest happiness lies in appreciating small things. Understanding the smallest joys and paying attention to the tiniest details and chores of our daily routine.

In case you think this is what the book " Who Moved My Cheese” tells us.. then NO. it is the truth I have learnt from most of the motivational books I read. Pay attention to the detail.

The book “Who Moved My Cheese” is a parable that focuses on one of the most important aspects of our life - Change. In his attempt to analyse our thoughts and emotions when we are faced with a drastic change, the writer helps us realize how we resist change. It is those among us who adapt to change quickly that eventually emerge as winners. The parable is applicable to work and our upheavals in relationships.

In a maze, there are two mice and two little humans who get their cheese everyday. Cheese here being the metaphor for happiness and satisfaction. As Change is inevitable, one day they find that the Cheese is moved or it is gone.

Now everything is unsettled and the four beings give their unique reaction to this change. The mice, not having much “ thoughts” over the incident , start looking for cheese in other directions. They leave the idea of old cheese quickly and looking for their new cheese in new direction whereas the little people go through a whole new emotional turmoil before they finally make peace with the fact that Change Has Occurred. Of the two, one person finally accepts change and decides to find “new cheese” and move in new direction. But the other friend remains cribbing about the sudden change and stays in the same state. The former as expected, eventually reaches his new cheese.

The new cheese too is susceptible to change as Change, we know , is constant. Cheese, the metaphor, is the happiness but the meanings, mediums and forms of it keep changing from time to time. And when the change happens, a thinking mind, finds it difficult to change his way of seeking happiness as we all have a state of mental inertia. But like how animals adjust to changing environment unquestioningly, we too have to adapt new ways and to find new direction to the new cheese. Habits have to change and comforts zones have to shift.

As the proverb goes- When winds of Change blow, adjust your sails.

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