A Bedtime Story for Your Inner Child
Is something stopping you from sleeping? Or making your days discontented? This little book might help. It’s a nursery story for adults, to share with your inner child. This is an overtly simple tale of four characters in a maze looking for cheese to nourish them and make them happy. It’s an obvious metaphor, easy to dismiss. But if you’re looking for inspiration about your life, this might help you find your way.
Darren Smith sent me ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ as a thank you for writing for Making Business Matter’s blog last year. His covering note called it “a wonderful story about mice with cheese and changing, which feels fitting considering the period of change we’ve all been through and the adapting we have to do.”
Darren’s right. This is a great little read, especially if like me you’re a simple soul who enjoys tales with an uplifting message. Every culture tells stories to inspire and encourage people, and this is one for our uncertain times. The cover says it’s sold over 28 million copies. I can see why.
Children ‘get’ the point of nursery stories with a moral like the hare and the tortoise or the ugly duckling. They boo the baddies in kids’ movies. But when we’re adults it’s story overload, with boxsets, Netflix, and the rest. We can see plot developments and possible endings a mile off. But we often lack the self-awareness to see where our own story is going.
Final Thoughts on Who Moved My Cheese?
I’m normally skeptical of the self-help industry. Especially books that hit you over the head with the significance of their message and make promises like this does: “you will learn how to deal with change so that you suffer less stress and enjoy more success in your life.” I get it, man, it’s an (expletive deleted) parable! But guess what? When I woke up today I was still thinking about it. I’ll definitely read it through again.
