Robin Sharma's "Who Will Cry When You Die?"

The narrative presents a four-day tour to Siquijor Island and Dumaguete, emphasizing the life lessons from Robin Sharma's "Who Will Cry When You Die?" The journey was purposeful, aimed at creating lasting family memories, fostering inclusivity, and practicing gratitude towards service workers. Participants stepped out of their comfort zones, embraced authenticity, and remained focused on the present, enriching their experiences. They served one another, took care of their health, and approached the trip as a continuous learning opportunity, embodying forgiveness and passion throughout the adventure. Ultimately, the tour illustrated that life should be lived with purpose, gratitude, and joy, reflecting Sharma's core teachings.

“When you were born, you cried while the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world cries while you rejoice.”

— Ancient Sanskrit saying

Lessons from an Island Adventure: A Journey of Purpose and Fulfillment

In the heart of the Philippines, amidst the azure waters surrounding Siquijor Island and the charming university city of Dumaguete, I recently embarked on a four-day tour with my cousins. This journey, while seemingly simple, embodied many of the profound life lessons Robin Sharma presents in his book "Who Will Cry When You Die?: Life Lessons from the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari." Our adventure serves as a living testament to the wisdom Sharma imparts, demonstrating how special experiences can be transformative when approached with mindfulness and purpose.

Living with Purpose

Our island tour was not a mere vacation; it was a purposeful expedition designed to create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds. The trip embodied several key purposes: enjoying local travel, nurturing love for family and clan, sharing knowledge with others, and imparting valuable skill sets. By choosing to embark on this journey with family members of all ages, including two physically challenged participants, we demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity and shared experiences—a purpose that gave our trip profound meaning.

Practicing Gratitude

Throughout our adventure, we actively practiced gratitude, aligning perfectly with Sharma's advice. We expressed thanks and gave generous tips to the orderlies assisting those with physical challenges. Our kindness extended to drivers, restaurant staff, hotel service personnel, and vendors. We listened attentively to people's stories, showing appreciation for their experiences. Importantly, we made sure to thank our generous sponsors and team leaders who made the trip possible. This constant practice of gratitude enhanced our enjoyment and fostered a sense of fulfillment.

Taking Risks and Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

Our journey embodied Sharma's call to take risks and embrace challenges. We joined a group to visit a place most of us had never been to before. Embarking on a four-day trip to a mystical island on pure faith was a leap out of our comfort zones. Moreover, we tested our ability to gel with a large company of people with different orientations. These calculated risks resulted in personal growth for each participant, reinforcing the rewards that come from facing challenges head-on.

Authenticity and Living in the Present

We practiced authenticity by manifesting our feelings of appreciation, joy, and occasional disturbance openly. The joy of experiencing the journey with relatives who shared our family values allowed us to be true to ourselves. We embraced authenticity by accepting events as they unfolded and expressing our limitations when necessary. This genuine approach enabled us to connect more deeply with each other and our surroundings.

Living in the present moment was a constant practice. We balanced the work we left behind with our roles in the group tour, learning to forget the tasks back in the city temporarily. We fully appreciated the wonders of each place we visited and gamely joined in the fun activities. This focus on the present moment, as Sharma advocates, led to a more enriching experience.

Serving Others and Fostering Connections

The spirit of service permeated our journey, reflecting Sharma's emphasis on making a positive difference in others' lives. We took on various roles to serve the group: taking pictures, posting online, ordering food, managing funds, leading the group, arranging travel, helping with seating and riding plans, taking initiative, engaging in conversations, refraining from complaints, documenting the trip, and sharing expenses. These acts of service not only contributed to the smooth running of our trip but also strengthened our bonds and enhanced our overall experience.

Taking Care of Health and Continuous Learning

We recognized the importance of health, as Sharma emphasizes. We took responsibility for our well-being by preparing for long walks and rides, ensuring we wouldn't become a burden to the group. This proactive approach to health allowed us to fully enjoy and participate in all activities.

Our journey was also a continuous learning experience. We maintained an openness to new experiences and actively sought to integrate our travel learnings with our personal states. This alignment with Sharma's encouragement for lifelong learning enriched our trip and contributed to our personal growth.

Practicing Forgiveness and Living with Passion

We embodied Sharma's advice on forgiveness by accepting minor setbacks without complaint. This practice of letting go of small grievances allowed us to maintain a positive atmosphere throughout the trip.

Finally, we lived with passion, as Sharma encouraged. We found joy primarily in each other's company, appreciated the beauty of the places we visited and the food we ate, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the leader who initiated the tour. This passionate engagement with our experiences infused our journey with the zest for life that Sharma advocates.

Reflecting on our four-day island adventure through the lens of Robin Sharma's teachings reveals that our journey was more than just a family trip; it was a small-scale version of a well-lived life. We embraced purpose, gratitude, risk-taking, authenticity, present-moment awareness, service to others, health consciousness, continuous learning, forgiveness, and passion—all while nurturing our connections and creating unforgettable memories.

Not About How We Cry When We Die, But How We Choose to Live

As Sharma suggests, it's not about who will cry when we die, but about how we choose to live. Our Siquijor and Dumaguete tour exemplifies how applying these life lessons can transform even a short trip into a profound, fulfilling experience that strengthens relationships, creates lasting memories, and enriches our lives immeasurably. It serves as a reminder that every day—whether at home or on an adventure—presents opportunities to live with purpose, gratitude, and joy.

28 Sep 2024