The Having: The Key to Health, Wealth and Happiness?
This startling quote is from the prologue to The Having: The Secret Art of Feeling and Growing Rich. As someone skeptical about “The Secret”, I wasn’t looking to read a book about getting rich quick with no apparent effort. But this book is not based on “just wish and it will be yours”. This book will teach a simple secret to health, wealth and happiness that anyone can use.
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Who Is This “Guru to the Rich”?
The Having is jointly authored by Suh Yoon Lee who is known in South Korea as the “Guru to the rich” and journalist Jooyun Hong.
At age six, Suh Yoon Lee was identified as a Guru by her Grandmother. This set her on a path of study ranging from classical Asian texts to economics. She analyzed 100,000 case studies to reveal the true secrets of growing rich.
While still in school, rich people would seek out the “teenage Guru” for counsel. In her twenties she was advising most of the founders and first generations of the largest conglomerates in Korea. Some of these are now globally renowned corporations.
Suh Yoon is described variously as a master of the human mindset, an iconic force of living and a paradigm shifter.
The Having Teaches You How to Change Your Life
When she goes in search of the key to growing wealth, Jooyun meets Suh Yoon. Over a course of meetings in exotic locations such as Lake Como, Paris and Kyoto, she learns the secret.
Gradually throughout the course of the book, Jooyun changes her mindset. Very quickly she becomes happier, more content, and attracts good fortune in lots of little ways. She learns how to appreciate what she has and how not to spend wastefully.
Finally she follows her heart and changes her life for the better despite the warnings of concerned friends.
Why Read This Book?
I’m surprised to say I loved this book. I often pick up personal development books, read a few pages, put them down and never pick them up again. But this book captivated me from the start and I read it all the way through — within a day!
Jooyun’s experiences are woven, with a touch of mystery, into a beautifully told story. The ideas are presented simply and clearly. They resonated with me as they’re based on ideas I’m trying in my life.
If you’re looking for a simple explanation of how you can change your life for the better without coaching or expensive courses, then this book is for you.
My Takeaway Messages From the Having
- Having is to abundantly feel what you have at the moment you are spending money. It’s this power that attracts wealth.
- “Living in the moment, that’s the first step to Having.” When we live in the moment there are no problems. The past is done; the future is unknown. Being mindful of everything around you means there’s no room for regrets about the past and what should have been said or done. And there’s no room to worry about the future and all the “what if” scenarios our minds love to mull over incessantly.
- Being mindful changes the way we see the world. Broadening our view in this way means we’re more likely to see, and be open, to new opportunities.
- Having changes our lens from what’s missing to seeing what is already there in our lives. It allows us to move away from lack and create a feeling of abundance no matter what our circumstances are.
This is similar to living with an attitude to gratitude. If you truly appreciate all the good things in your life, this in itself is a way to feel rich. Suh Yoon encourages people to feel grateful that they have the money to buy even simple things like a cup of coffee. - Emotions are valuable energy that can change reality. This energy is the cause and matter is the effect that follows. So if you enjoy your money with positive energy, you will draw more money to you. This is the law of attraction.
- The art of Having is for anyone willing to give it a try.
“Everyone is born with the qualifications to become rich, just as they have the qualifications to be loved.”
Jooyun outlines the simple methods you can use to change your emotions and thus create your actions for better outcomes in your life.
Can This Make Me Healthier Too?
While the book does not discuss health, I firmly believe that you cannot separate the body and mind. If we choose to think differently and create positive emotions and energy, good health will follow.
When the book finishes we don’t know if Jooyun has become materially wealthy yet but we do know she is far richer in many other ways than she was at the start.
The Having: The Secret Art of Feeling and Growing Rich is out now.
What books have you read that changed the way you view your life? Share below.
