Stories that can inspire new beginnings

Books make great gifts for friends and family — choose the right title and it could inspire the reader to change their life for the better.

At Serenity Financial Planning we are wholly focused on the client’s story and helping them map out their next chapters and turn them into reality.  Initially, many people are unsure of their ideal plot development and how it can be achieved. A simple story can help to set someone on a real life-changing journey.

Self help books can be useful, but often an engaging story with a message can be equally, if not more powerful as a means of conveying message that will help someone begin to see what is most important in their life.

Here are four classic inspirational novels.

THE ALCHEMIST

Paulo Coelho

This classic 1995 novel has the subtitle ‘a fable about following your dream’ but it is one that easily translates into real life. It tells the story of Santiago, an Andalucian shepherd boy who dreams of distant treasures in the Egyptian pyramids. He leaves Spain to follow his desire, only to encounter a string of spiritual messengers, one of whom clarifies his misguided agenda whilst helping him stay true to his dreams.

THE PAINTER OF SIGNS

R K Narayan

Amid a rich and colourful Indian setting lurks a love story with a deep-rooted moral. Raman, a conscientious sign writer, meets Daisy, a young woman who wants to improve the rights of women by introducing family planning clinics throughout the whole country. Raman paints the signs to help her, love blossoms but not without a fight against tradition to achieve what he truly wants, a fight that will resonate with many readers.

THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYICH

Leo Tolstoy

Admittedly death isn’t the lightest of subjects to be tackling around the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, there is a stark lesson to be learned in the War and Peace author’s short, sharp shock of a novella about a high court judge who fatally injures himself while hanging up curtains intended to reflect his family’s superior status in society. If you want a quick read to help you re-evaluate your life and priorities, then this most definitely is it.

WINNIE THE POOH

AA Milne

There is much wisdom to be gained in many children’s books and Milne’s classic is always worth revisiting. While you read it to the younger members of your family, you may find yourself surprised as you chance upon many philosophical snippets. As Winnie himself puts it: ‘You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.’ Bear of little brain? Not a bit of it.