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The Four Doors
From Richard Paul Evans, the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Christmas Box, “the most popular holiday tale since Tiny Tim” (Newsweek), a new holiday novel that sets a classic Christmas story in our time.
Richard Paul Evans is the master of the holiday novel. As an integral part of the celebratory season, he has warmed millions of hearts with books including A Winter Dream, Lost December, and Promise Me. This new story of hope, faith, and love is the perfect gift of inspiration and is sure to be an instant Christmas classic.
Richard Paul Evans is the master of the holiday novel. As an integral part of the celebratory season, he has warmed millions of hearts with books including A Winter Dream, Lost December, and Promise Me. This new story of hope, faith, and love is the perfect gift of inspiration and is sure to be an instant Christmas classic.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2013
108 people are currently reading
1810 people want to read
About the author
Richard Paul Evans
225 books6,445 followersWhen Richard Paul Evans wrote the #1 best-seller, The Christmas Box, he never intended on becoming an internationally known author. His quiet story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when it became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed. He has since written eleven consecutive New York Times bestsellers. He is one the few authors in history to have hit both the fiction and non-fiction bestseller lists. He has won several awards for his books including the 1998 American Mothers Book Award, two first place Storytelling World Awards, and the 2005 Romantic Times Best Women Novel of the Year Award. His books have been translated into more than 22 languages and several have been international best sellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews
May 6, 2014
While Evans's advice is at least practical, I imagine his other books must be better. This self-help book is filed with his own quotes, which in one case he suggests should be framed in every house in America. He seems to think awfully highly of himself, focusing much of the book on self-flattery which in my opinion is not deserved, and it makes his advice too grating to be helpful.
June 17, 2016
One of my favorite authors is Richard Paul Evans. In this book The Four Doors he shares his thoughts from talks he has given around the world mostly to school aged children. The book is divided into five parts: the first part is the foundation and the over four are the doors. I have labeled them such in the quotes below. He has included quotes from several of the books he has written. I trust the quotes below will challenge you!
Foundations
The most important story we will ever write in life is our own – not with ink, but with our choices. ~Richard Paul Evans (from The Gift)
Everything can be taken from man but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ~Dr. Viktor E. Frankl, Holocaust survivor.
We are not an accident of God or nature. The universe is demonstrably purposeful, and there’s a purpose for our being here on earth. The experiences we have have come to us for our spiritual growth and evolution. Simply stated, earth is a school – a divine educational process custom-fit to each of us. ~Richard Paul Evans
We are all in motion. Always. Those who are not climbing toward something are descending toward nothing. ~Richard Paul Evans (from Miles to Go)
We grow or diminish spiritually as we move closer to light or darkness, love or hate, forgiveness or resentment, peace or anguish. The fact that we are changing is a given. How we change is in direct correlation to our choices and the power and exercise of our free will. ~Richard Paul Evans
Every revolution was first a thought in one man’s mind. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Door One : Believe There’s A Reason You Were Born
Almost without exception, history’s greatest achievers held a highly developed sense of personal mission. Nearly every one of them believed that their life had a purpose – that they had something of importance to share with the world. ~Richard Paul Evans
There are specific moments in each life given us to influence our life paths – a cosmic pull of a lever that switches the tracks beneath us. History abounds in such “accidents.” If such providence is evident in the lives of the great, then why not the rest of us? ~Richard Paul Evans
If you figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose. ~ T.D. Jakes
None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper, which is heard by him alone. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for. ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Door Two : Free Yourself From Limitation
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. ~Albert Einstein
The success of our lives is more determined by our imagination than our circumstances. ~ Richard Paul Evans (from The Road to Grace)
We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better. ~J.K. Rowling
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world … We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. ~Marianne Williamson
Fame and greatness are not the same thing. There are great people in this world – people of great accomplishment and service to humanity – who are not famous. There are scores of famous people who are not great. In most cases, true greatness is a silent and lonely affair, unaccompanied by the trumpeted fanfare of acclaim. ~ Richard Paul Evans
To be of value to others is a far greater ambition than the vain hope for the world’s fleeting applause and fickle admiration. ~ Richard Paul Evans
We can spend our days bemoaning our losses, or we can grow from them. Ultimately, the choice is ours. We can be victims of circumstances or masters of our own fate, but make no mistake … we cannot be both. ~ Richard Paul Evans (from The Walk)
Life’s greatest gifts often come wrapped in adversity. ~ Richard Paul Evans (from Finding Noel)
In many cases, we do not succeed in spite of our challenges and difficulties, but precisely because of them. ~ Richard Paul Evans
During our time in Italy, I became friends with a local winemaker. On one occasion, I said to him, “Chianti must have very fertile soil to produce such famous grapes.” His reply surprised me. “No,” he said. “We have terrible soil. Good grapes do not grow in good soil.”
I did some research on this. It turns out that grapes are lazy. If the soil they grow in is too fertile, the grapes do not need to extend their roots deeply, which results in mediocre grapes that are used to make cheap table wine.
Because the soil in Chianti is poor, the grapevines develop large, intricate root systems that stretch deep into the ground, extracting not only what they need to survive but many other nutrients and minerals as well. The result is a sweet, delicious grape.
The metaphor is obvious and thought-provoking. A biologist once said to me, “I have noticed that in nature things with easy lives tend to die young.” ~ Richard Paul Evans
“We (Richard Paul Evans’s physician and other doctors) have been conducting a rather interesting study. We’ve surveyed more than a thousand people struggling with different handicaps. We asked them this question, ‘If I had a pill that could take away your handicap, but will make you lose everything you have gained from your adversity, would you take the pill?’” He looked me in the eyes. “Guess how many people would have taken the pill?”
I was thinking of a number in the ninety percent range but answered, “Seventy-five percent?” He shook his head. “Let me ask you this: Would you take the pill?” [Richard has Tourette’s]
I thought a moment, then said, “No.”
He smiled. “Neither would anyone else. No one has taken the pill.” ~Richard Paul Evans
Always, always remember that adversity is not a detour. It is part of the path.
You will encounter obstacles. You will make mistakes. Be grateful for both. Your obstacles and mistakes will be your greatest teachers. And the only way to not make mistakes in this life is to do nothing, which is the biggest mistake of all.
Your challenges, if you let them, will become your greatest allies. Mountains can crush or raise you, depending on which side of the mountain you choose to stand on. All history bears out that the great, those who have changed the world, have all suffered great challenges. And, more times than not, it’s precisely those challenges that, in God’s time, lead to triumph.
Abhor victimhood. Denounce entitlement. Neither are gifts, rather cages to damn the soul. Everyone who has walked this earth is a victim of injustice. Everyone.
Most of all, do not be too quick to denounce your sufferings. The difficult road you are called to walk may, in fact, be your only path to success. ~Richard Paul Evans (from A Winter Dream)
Everyone has problems. It’s how we choose to deal with our problems that matters. Some people choose to be whiners – some choose to be winners. Some choose to be victims – some choose to be victors. ~Richard Paul Evans
The greatest shackles we wear in this life are those forged of our own fears. ~Richard Paul Evans (from The Looking Glass)
When the media criticized him for his failure to create the incandescent lightbulb by the deadline he had publicly announced, Edison responded, “I have no failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.” ~Richard Paul Evans
Thomas J. Watson, the chairman and CEO of IBM, said, “Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really, Double your rate of failure.” ~Richard Paul Evans
Scottish author Samuel Smiles said, “It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done.” ~Richard Paul Evans
Door Three : Magnify Your Life
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure. ~Helen Keller
You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. ~Wayne Gretzky
We rarely regret our failed attempts, but we nearly always regret the ones we don’t take. ~Richard Paul Evans
To work hard is to work with directed passion toward accomplishing an objective, not just punching a clock. It means to give and do more than is expected of you. ~Richard Paul Evans
Thomas Jefferson said, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” ~Richard Paul Evans
I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true – hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don’t love something, then don’t do it. ~Ray Bradbury
Without passion we are doomed to mediocrity. ~Richard Paul Evans (from The Locket)
Door Four : Develop a Love-Centered Map
Love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. ~Viktor E. Frankl
Without love, infants die. Emotionally, so do adults. With love, our health improves, both physically and emotionally. ~Richard Paul Evans
I will greet this day with love in my heart. For this is the greatest secret of success in all ventures. ~Og Mandino
Service is love made visible. ~Stephen Colbert
Love is what love does. ~Richard Paul Evans
We love those whom we serve. ~Richard Paul Evans
Love, for the sake of love, will always be enough. And if our lives are but a single flash in the dark hollow of eternity, then, if, but for the briefest of moments, we shine – then how brilliantly our light has burned. And as the starlight knows no boundary of space or time, so, too, our illumination will shine forth throughout all eternity, for darkness has no power to quell such light. And this is a lesson we must all learn and take to heart – that all light is eternal and all love is light. And it must forever be so. ~Richard Paul Evans (from The Letter)
I recommend this book to everyone who like to be motivated to do their best!
Foundations
The most important story we will ever write in life is our own – not with ink, but with our choices. ~Richard Paul Evans (from The Gift)
Everything can be taken from man but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ~Dr. Viktor E. Frankl, Holocaust survivor.
We are not an accident of God or nature. The universe is demonstrably purposeful, and there’s a purpose for our being here on earth. The experiences we have have come to us for our spiritual growth and evolution. Simply stated, earth is a school – a divine educational process custom-fit to each of us. ~Richard Paul Evans
We are all in motion. Always. Those who are not climbing toward something are descending toward nothing. ~Richard Paul Evans (from Miles to Go)
We grow or diminish spiritually as we move closer to light or darkness, love or hate, forgiveness or resentment, peace or anguish. The fact that we are changing is a given. How we change is in direct correlation to our choices and the power and exercise of our free will. ~Richard Paul Evans
Every revolution was first a thought in one man’s mind. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Door One : Believe There’s A Reason You Were Born
Almost without exception, history’s greatest achievers held a highly developed sense of personal mission. Nearly every one of them believed that their life had a purpose – that they had something of importance to share with the world. ~Richard Paul Evans
There are specific moments in each life given us to influence our life paths – a cosmic pull of a lever that switches the tracks beneath us. History abounds in such “accidents.” If such providence is evident in the lives of the great, then why not the rest of us? ~Richard Paul Evans
If you figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose. ~ T.D. Jakes
None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper, which is heard by him alone. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for. ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Door Two : Free Yourself From Limitation
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. ~Albert Einstein
The success of our lives is more determined by our imagination than our circumstances. ~ Richard Paul Evans (from The Road to Grace)
We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better. ~J.K. Rowling
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world … We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. ~Marianne Williamson
Fame and greatness are not the same thing. There are great people in this world – people of great accomplishment and service to humanity – who are not famous. There are scores of famous people who are not great. In most cases, true greatness is a silent and lonely affair, unaccompanied by the trumpeted fanfare of acclaim. ~ Richard Paul Evans
To be of value to others is a far greater ambition than the vain hope for the world’s fleeting applause and fickle admiration. ~ Richard Paul Evans
We can spend our days bemoaning our losses, or we can grow from them. Ultimately, the choice is ours. We can be victims of circumstances or masters of our own fate, but make no mistake … we cannot be both. ~ Richard Paul Evans (from The Walk)
Life’s greatest gifts often come wrapped in adversity. ~ Richard Paul Evans (from Finding Noel)
In many cases, we do not succeed in spite of our challenges and difficulties, but precisely because of them. ~ Richard Paul Evans
During our time in Italy, I became friends with a local winemaker. On one occasion, I said to him, “Chianti must have very fertile soil to produce such famous grapes.” His reply surprised me. “No,” he said. “We have terrible soil. Good grapes do not grow in good soil.”
I did some research on this. It turns out that grapes are lazy. If the soil they grow in is too fertile, the grapes do not need to extend their roots deeply, which results in mediocre grapes that are used to make cheap table wine.
Because the soil in Chianti is poor, the grapevines develop large, intricate root systems that stretch deep into the ground, extracting not only what they need to survive but many other nutrients and minerals as well. The result is a sweet, delicious grape.
The metaphor is obvious and thought-provoking. A biologist once said to me, “I have noticed that in nature things with easy lives tend to die young.” ~ Richard Paul Evans
“We (Richard Paul Evans’s physician and other doctors) have been conducting a rather interesting study. We’ve surveyed more than a thousand people struggling with different handicaps. We asked them this question, ‘If I had a pill that could take away your handicap, but will make you lose everything you have gained from your adversity, would you take the pill?’” He looked me in the eyes. “Guess how many people would have taken the pill?”
I was thinking of a number in the ninety percent range but answered, “Seventy-five percent?” He shook his head. “Let me ask you this: Would you take the pill?” [Richard has Tourette’s]
I thought a moment, then said, “No.”
He smiled. “Neither would anyone else. No one has taken the pill.” ~Richard Paul Evans
Always, always remember that adversity is not a detour. It is part of the path.
You will encounter obstacles. You will make mistakes. Be grateful for both. Your obstacles and mistakes will be your greatest teachers. And the only way to not make mistakes in this life is to do nothing, which is the biggest mistake of all.
Your challenges, if you let them, will become your greatest allies. Mountains can crush or raise you, depending on which side of the mountain you choose to stand on. All history bears out that the great, those who have changed the world, have all suffered great challenges. And, more times than not, it’s precisely those challenges that, in God’s time, lead to triumph.
Abhor victimhood. Denounce entitlement. Neither are gifts, rather cages to damn the soul. Everyone who has walked this earth is a victim of injustice. Everyone.
Most of all, do not be too quick to denounce your sufferings. The difficult road you are called to walk may, in fact, be your only path to success. ~Richard Paul Evans (from A Winter Dream)
Everyone has problems. It’s how we choose to deal with our problems that matters. Some people choose to be whiners – some choose to be winners. Some choose to be victims – some choose to be victors. ~Richard Paul Evans
The greatest shackles we wear in this life are those forged of our own fears. ~Richard Paul Evans (from The Looking Glass)
When the media criticized him for his failure to create the incandescent lightbulb by the deadline he had publicly announced, Edison responded, “I have no failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.” ~Richard Paul Evans
Thomas J. Watson, the chairman and CEO of IBM, said, “Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really, Double your rate of failure.” ~Richard Paul Evans
Scottish author Samuel Smiles said, “It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done.” ~Richard Paul Evans
Door Three : Magnify Your Life
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure. ~Helen Keller
You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. ~Wayne Gretzky
We rarely regret our failed attempts, but we nearly always regret the ones we don’t take. ~Richard Paul Evans
To work hard is to work with directed passion toward accomplishing an objective, not just punching a clock. It means to give and do more than is expected of you. ~Richard Paul Evans
Thomas Jefferson said, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” ~Richard Paul Evans
I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true – hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don’t love something, then don’t do it. ~Ray Bradbury
Without passion we are doomed to mediocrity. ~Richard Paul Evans (from The Locket)
Door Four : Develop a Love-Centered Map
Love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. ~Viktor E. Frankl
Without love, infants die. Emotionally, so do adults. With love, our health improves, both physically and emotionally. ~Richard Paul Evans
I will greet this day with love in my heart. For this is the greatest secret of success in all ventures. ~Og Mandino
Service is love made visible. ~Stephen Colbert
Love is what love does. ~Richard Paul Evans
We love those whom we serve. ~Richard Paul Evans
Love, for the sake of love, will always be enough. And if our lives are but a single flash in the dark hollow of eternity, then, if, but for the briefest of moments, we shine – then how brilliantly our light has burned. And as the starlight knows no boundary of space or time, so, too, our illumination will shine forth throughout all eternity, for darkness has no power to quell such light. And this is a lesson we must all learn and take to heart – that all light is eternal and all love is light. And it must forever be so. ~Richard Paul Evans (from The Letter)
I recommend this book to everyone who like to be motivated to do their best!
October 30, 2013
Rick spent over an hour telling us about this book on the bus in Italy. It was such an emotionally touching experience for me, and I couldn't wait to read the book! As Rick told us the message of the book, I immediately thought of people in my life that would be enriched by reading this book, including myself. When he first began speaking to us, I was prompted to take notes in my travel journal, and later learned it was his newest book. These are the notes I took:
The doors represent the principles that will create change in your life.
#1 Believe there is a reason you were born. You are important.
#2 Free yourself from Limitation, You can do anything you set your mind to.
#3 Magnify your Life. Live everyday as if it were your last day on earth.
#4 Develop a Love-centered Map. Love is all that matters.
It's all about choice. We all have free-agency. We must ASK for what we need in order to get Divine assistance.We were sent to earth for a purpose, and each being is worthy. Worthy of Love. Earth is a school, challenges are part of that education. Victimhood- blaming others for your circumstances leads to entitlement & locks you in a cage, used to excuse ones behavior & responsibilites. Imagination is the key to changing your life. You can change your mental map, and create a new life.
This book is full of stories to illustrate the above principles. Rick is a wonderful story-teller, and he has a way of touching your heart so you can understand the message.
The doors represent the principles that will create change in your life.
#1 Believe there is a reason you were born. You are important.
#2 Free yourself from Limitation, You can do anything you set your mind to.
#3 Magnify your Life. Live everyday as if it were your last day on earth.
#4 Develop a Love-centered Map. Love is all that matters.
It's all about choice. We all have free-agency. We must ASK for what we need in order to get Divine assistance.We were sent to earth for a purpose, and each being is worthy. Worthy of Love. Earth is a school, challenges are part of that education. Victimhood- blaming others for your circumstances leads to entitlement & locks you in a cage, used to excuse ones behavior & responsibilites. Imagination is the key to changing your life. You can change your mental map, and create a new life.
This book is full of stories to illustrate the above principles. Rick is a wonderful story-teller, and he has a way of touching your heart so you can understand the message.
August 8, 2014
This is the second book I have listened to that has been read by the author. After this book I have decided that authors should not read their own books! The reason I say this is because both authors ended up sounding arrogant and haughty. I think Mr. Evans had some great suggestions, thoughts, and quotes by other famous people/authors that I liked and that have made me rethink some things in my life. With that said I just could not take his cockiness. I felt that he was praising himself and boasting about all his accomplishments. For example, he would be quoting something and then say, "from my book...." Towards the end of the book he mentioned that he has always been a dreamer and goal setter and then named a few of those dreams/goals. To make a point he proceeds to tell us how those dreams/goals have come to be: I married a beautiful wife, I have wonderful children, I am famous, I am so important that I have rubbed shoulders with some of America's "royalty" and other influential people and dignitaries at the White House, I am wealthy, I have traveled to over 20 countries and have visited 47 of the 50 states, etc. I think that those things are great and amazing experiences and I'm happy he has been able to do these things, but I just felt like the way in which he shared them was done in a bragging, boastful manner. I may have interpreted his tone in the wrong way and am seeing this book in a very different tone than he meant to imply, but this is the way I see and feel about this book. I was really intrigued by the description of this book and really, really wanted to love it, but I just could not.
April 1, 2014
This tiny, short little book took me FOREVER to read. I think it took me 2 weeks to finish it. I kept falling asleep when I'd try to read it. It was boring. I was looking for a spiritual read, one that would make me think about my life and how I handle things. But this book offered only outright OBVIOUS advice/findings, and the author quoted himself from his previous books CONSTANTLY. I really began to despise him as he quoted himself over and over. It seemed so vain. I won't be reading any of his other books.
November 21, 2013
great book. made me think and pause
September 9, 2016
This book is not really a self-help book, it's more like an afternoon chat with grandpa. It's short and sweet and powerful; because it's true stuff. It points the way to a healthy life journey with a mindset that's more loving, honest, kind, and purposeful.
A statement I loved:
“On some level, all honest and mentally healthy adults accept that their mental maps—if they are even aware of them—contain incongruities and falsehoods. Wise people want accurate maps. And accurate maps require a devotion to honesty, study, and experimentation. This might seem like a lot of work. But life *is a lot of work.* Operating with a faulty mental map only makes it more difficult. On the other hand, few things promise more excitement and joy than learning, self-discovery, and self-improvement. "
A statement I loved:
“On some level, all honest and mentally healthy adults accept that their mental maps—if they are even aware of them—contain incongruities and falsehoods. Wise people want accurate maps. And accurate maps require a devotion to honesty, study, and experimentation. This might seem like a lot of work. But life *is a lot of work.* Operating with a faulty mental map only makes it more difficult. On the other hand, few things promise more excitement and joy than learning, self-discovery, and self-improvement. "
December 4, 2013
I won this book through Goodreads. I just received it last night and just finished the book up just a few moments ago, it was just THAT good.
The Four Doors is a great book for anyone to read that wants to enjoy life more or enhance the wonderful life they already have.
As I was reading the book last night, I just kept reading passages aloud where my hubby could hear or posting them on twitter because they were too inspirational & motivational not to share.
I also feel that Richard Paul Evans was quite smart putting passages from his other works into this book, as it encourages you to read more from him. Well, it worked for me. Fantastic book!
The Four Doors is a great book for anyone to read that wants to enjoy life more or enhance the wonderful life they already have.
As I was reading the book last night, I just kept reading passages aloud where my hubby could hear or posting them on twitter because they were too inspirational & motivational not to share.
I also feel that Richard Paul Evans was quite smart putting passages from his other works into this book, as it encourages you to read more from him. Well, it worked for me. Fantastic book!
February 5, 2015
So I've never read anything by Richard Paul Evans, and to be honest, his books always struck me as being kind of cheesy. (Pretty much anything that can be described as "heartwarming" does; it's just a prejudice I have.) I might have to start reading his fiction, though, because I really liked this one.
This is a pretty great book. It's short, which means there isn't much to it, but what IS there is really good stuff. Just a few pieces of advice for ways to make your life what you want it to be, instead of what it is. If you feel like you don't have control over the things in your life and like you don't like where life has brought you, you should give this book a shot. It might be the little nudge you need to get yourself somewhere you'd rather be.
Lately I'm really loving books that motivate me. I've been having motivation problems in my life, so I really like books like this one, that make me want to DO things to make my life (and MYSELF) better.
This is a pretty great book. It's short, which means there isn't much to it, but what IS there is really good stuff. Just a few pieces of advice for ways to make your life what you want it to be, instead of what it is. If you feel like you don't have control over the things in your life and like you don't like where life has brought you, you should give this book a shot. It might be the little nudge you need to get yourself somewhere you'd rather be.
Lately I'm really loving books that motivate me. I've been having motivation problems in my life, so I really like books like this one, that make me want to DO things to make my life (and MYSELF) better.
July 10, 2023
Czytałam po raz drugi i nadal mega polecam❣️ Książka sama w sobie nie jest krótka, ale znaczników nazbierało się nie mało. Myślę, że jest bardzo wartościowa. Pokazuje jak w swoim życiu szukać szczęścia, a także jak odkrywać szczęście na co dzień. Ogromnie polecam, jeśli lubicie trochę psychologicznych tematów, ale nie tylko.
Zastanawiam się nad kupieniem tej książki, bo mam wrażenie, że będę miała ochotę często do niej wracać.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Zastanawiam się nad kupieniem tej książki, bo mam wrażenie, że będę miała ochotę często do niej wracać.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read
February 15, 2022DNF. The author put a bunch of his own quotes in here and seemed to be patting himself on the back an awful lot during the little bit that I read and that ended my interest in continuing.
April 9, 2017
Very short book, read in one sitting by the author of The Walk series which I loved and other books to be read yet. An inspirational, self-help book, intermixed with stories which is in summary:
The doors represent the principles that will create change in your life.
#1 Believe there is a reason you were born. You are important.
#2 Free yourself from Limitation, You can do anything you set your mind to.
#3 Magnify your Life. Live everyday as if it were your last day on earth.
#4 Develop a Love-centered Map. Love is all that matters.
The doors represent the principles that will create change in your life.
#1 Believe there is a reason you were born. You are important.
#2 Free yourself from Limitation, You can do anything you set your mind to.
#3 Magnify your Life. Live everyday as if it were your last day on earth.
#4 Develop a Love-centered Map. Love is all that matters.
September 13, 2022
Richard Paul Evans...you have great insight to life. I enjoy your books and I realized at the very end of this book that you were the author of another book I loved. The part of your daughter crying on the plane, I recognized it and just smiled.
March 29, 2018
Wow! Such a powerful little book. Gives a person a lot to think about.
Want to effect change? Mind your choices. Determine your purpose for being here. Don't limit yourself - see beyond all the cages we create for ourselves or that others create for us. Most importantly - Live with love.
This is a book that's worth having on your shelf and one that's worth reading many many times. You can only benefit from it.
Want to effect change? Mind your choices. Determine your purpose for being here. Don't limit yourself - see beyond all the cages we create for ourselves or that others create for us. Most importantly - Live with love.
This is a book that's worth having on your shelf and one that's worth reading many many times. You can only benefit from it.
January 1, 2020
Inspiring book, I really liked the reminder that the most important thing is love.
December 22, 2021
So good. So much good information.
June 28, 2024
Light and pleasant read! I’d describe this book as a compilation of great quotes. It is encouraging, although I don’t agree with all the author’s ideas. I believe his tone sounded arrogant and holier than thou to the point at some parts I was rolling my eyes. I like the four doors though, and while it wasn’t revolutionary, it was good read, especially for a girl who is struggling to find her passion.
November 4, 2013
I have always looked forward to Richard Paul Evans Christmas novels, but this year I was intrigued by Mr. Evans’ choice to share his non-fiction book “The Four Doors”. Richard is an engaging speaker so I knew that this book would be a fascinating read. I must admit I had some trepidation when I started reading. By the time I was finished, I was awestruck and had to immediately read it again.
This book gently prods the reader to examine their own thinking and views on the world. I was surprised at how faulty my internal dialogue can be and how my own thoughts shape how I perceive experiences and grow in life. I really appreciated his use of “Mental Maps” and found his analogies throughout the book profoundly thought provoking. Richard’s personal experiences and stories of others that he conveys in this book are heartwarming and eye opening. The many quotes and affirmations he shares are relatable to everyone. There is so much depth in this book and it is personally challenging, yet it is easy to read and understand. I was particularly inspired by the lessons on Love I learned in the chapter on the fourth door.
This is book will speak those who read it. I think it will touch each person who reads it in a different personal way. I know several people I will be sharing this book with and I will be recommending it to all who will listen to me! Richard Paul Evans wisdom will give you pause to ponder and his down to earth insights are written in a heartfelt way. His words are a gift. This book is a treasure!
This book gently prods the reader to examine their own thinking and views on the world. I was surprised at how faulty my internal dialogue can be and how my own thoughts shape how I perceive experiences and grow in life. I really appreciated his use of “Mental Maps” and found his analogies throughout the book profoundly thought provoking. Richard’s personal experiences and stories of others that he conveys in this book are heartwarming and eye opening. The many quotes and affirmations he shares are relatable to everyone. There is so much depth in this book and it is personally challenging, yet it is easy to read and understand. I was particularly inspired by the lessons on Love I learned in the chapter on the fourth door.
This is book will speak those who read it. I think it will touch each person who reads it in a different personal way. I know several people I will be sharing this book with and I will be recommending it to all who will listen to me! Richard Paul Evans wisdom will give you pause to ponder and his down to earth insights are written in a heartfelt way. His words are a gift. This book is a treasure!
July 26, 2016
** Let life in **
Small book. Profound content.
Although this book can easily be read in a single seating, its wisdom has life-long value. It’s like a guidebook for going from surviving to thriving. And it does so by helping update your mental map:
“On some level, all honest and mentally healthy adults accept that their mental maps—if they are even aware of them—contain incongruities and falsehoods. Wise people want accurate maps. And accurate maps require a devotion to honesty, study, and experimentation. This might seem like a lot of work. But life *is a lot of work.* Operating with a faulty mental map only makes it more difficult. On the other hand, few things promise more excitement and joy than learning, self-discovery, and self-improvement. The purpose _The Four Doors_ is to help you correct and alter your mental map in ways that bring lasting and positive change.” (p. 19)
These four doors are:
1. Believe there’s a reason you were born
2. Free yourself from limitation
3. Magnify your life
4. Develop a love-centered map
Going through each of these doors as you read the book, you’ll be met with powerful stories and key principles to help inspire and guide your journey towards a more meaningful life. (And, after you finish reading _The Four Doors_, it’s likely you’ll want to pass this gem on to others!)
Life’s knocking—it’s time to answer the (four) doors and let it in.
Small book. Profound content.
Although this book can easily be read in a single seating, its wisdom has life-long value. It’s like a guidebook for going from surviving to thriving. And it does so by helping update your mental map:
“On some level, all honest and mentally healthy adults accept that their mental maps—if they are even aware of them—contain incongruities and falsehoods. Wise people want accurate maps. And accurate maps require a devotion to honesty, study, and experimentation. This might seem like a lot of work. But life *is a lot of work.* Operating with a faulty mental map only makes it more difficult. On the other hand, few things promise more excitement and joy than learning, self-discovery, and self-improvement. The purpose _The Four Doors_ is to help you correct and alter your mental map in ways that bring lasting and positive change.” (p. 19)
These four doors are:
1. Believe there’s a reason you were born
2. Free yourself from limitation
3. Magnify your life
4. Develop a love-centered map
Going through each of these doors as you read the book, you’ll be met with powerful stories and key principles to help inspire and guide your journey towards a more meaningful life. (And, after you finish reading _The Four Doors_, it’s likely you’ll want to pass this gem on to others!)
Life’s knocking—it’s time to answer the (four) doors and let it in.
November 30, 2013
This book is a guide to joy, freedom, and a meaningful life. This book if meant for the young adult and adult population. The book is an informational book which describes how and why to choose the four doors in life. The author describes the four doors: Believe there’s a reason you were born which describes your destiny. “Believe as if your life depended on it…for indeed it does”. The second door is titled Free Yourself from limitation and take control of your life. “The success of our lives is more determined by our imagination than our circumstances”. The third door is titled Magnify your life and discusses ones ability to take control of their mind and mentality. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Acoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure”. The fourth door is titled Develop a love-centered map and talks about the importance and power of love. “I’ve lived long enough to know that the greatest source of my happiness comes from giving and receiving love”. I enjoyed reading this book as a personal choice due to its light-hearted nature and personal advice for living life. The book offered good insight without being too pushy with advice. I would suggest this book as a self read for young adults.
December 8, 2016
Overall a good book on the subject of enriching your life. There isn't a lot of new stuff if you read these types, but for those new to the subject you will find that this is an easy approach to opening up a new chapter to your life.
I tossed around a 4 star rating but decided that I really didn't like the constant quotes from his own books. Normally it wouldn't be an issue but he comes off as a bit arrogant with it. Also, there is a lot of "Look at me!" throughout this. You can't get through a section without him laying it on thick on how he grew up with a horrible life and in the next chapter him trying to convince you that he was good but never gave himself a chance. Which was it, were you bullied throughout your school years or did the prom queen really have a crush on you because you were that good? I'm having a hard time believing that it is both.
But there are so many gems in this one. I say check it out from the library or if you find it super cheap buy it. I wouldn't spend full price on the book and not even half price.
I tossed around a 4 star rating but decided that I really didn't like the constant quotes from his own books. Normally it wouldn't be an issue but he comes off as a bit arrogant with it. Also, there is a lot of "Look at me!" throughout this. You can't get through a section without him laying it on thick on how he grew up with a horrible life and in the next chapter him trying to convince you that he was good but never gave himself a chance. Which was it, were you bullied throughout your school years or did the prom queen really have a crush on you because you were that good? I'm having a hard time believing that it is both.
But there are so many gems in this one. I say check it out from the library or if you find it super cheap buy it. I wouldn't spend full price on the book and not even half price.
November 19, 2013
Richard Paul Evans' newest book is a small inspirational volume, not another of his novels. Here's his description of the book: "The Four Doors is about how to live life joyfully, with freedom, power and purpose. I have witnessed the powerful effect each of these doors carries -- in both my own life and the lives of those with whom I have shared the message."
He states that there are three foundational truths upon which the four doors rest are the freedom of self-will, spiritual growth and evolution, and the inevitability of personal change.
The 4 doors are 1) Believe there's a reason you were born, 2) Free ourself from Limitation, 3) Magnify your life, and 4) Develop a love-centered map.
The combination of stories, techniques, and philosophy provides tools that can help one make some changes to enhance and improve life. Many would find this especially helpful as we move into a new year.
He states that there are three foundational truths upon which the four doors rest are the freedom of self-will, spiritual growth and evolution, and the inevitability of personal change.
The 4 doors are 1) Believe there's a reason you were born, 2) Free ourself from Limitation, 3) Magnify your life, and 4) Develop a love-centered map.
The combination of stories, techniques, and philosophy provides tools that can help one make some changes to enhance and improve life. Many would find this especially helpful as we move into a new year.
November 21, 2013
What a marvelous book! I started reading it thinking I would read it in a day or two at the most, but then I quickly realized what another reviewer had written about it, that it needs to be read slowly and each deep point needs to be allowed to sink in.
I've read in a few other reviews that the book has information that they already know, and although that is true, it was presented this time in a way that I could grasp how I had learned it earlier in a much clearer manner.
This is truly one of those books that I will be eternally grateful to have read! Getting to know the author better was another great part of reading it.
I've read in a few other reviews that the book has information that they already know, and although that is true, it was presented this time in a way that I could grasp how I had learned it earlier in a much clearer manner.
This is truly one of those books that I will be eternally grateful to have read! Getting to know the author better was another great part of reading it.
November 30, 2015
i am a huge fan of Evan's books, but this book just came across as kind of silly. The quotes in this book come from the characters he created in other books, so it's like he's giving you advice or telling you how he feels about something and then uses his own quotes for backup. Some of it is real sweet so I don't mean to slam the entire book. If you are on the road of self discovery, change, finding purpose, then this little book may just give you encouragement to stay on that road. If you aren't already making such journey, I cant see this book inspiring you toward that. Many people are calling this a self-help book, but I just don't see it.
May 25, 2014
This book really resonated with me and I found it awesome. The author shared many inspiring stories that motivated me to become better. The four doors are the following:
1. Believe there's a reason you were born
2. Free yourself from limitation
3. Magnify your life
4. Develop a love-centered map
These are things I understand and will work to improve in my life. I found this book truly amazing and would recommend it to anyone. I almost gave it 5 stars.
1. Believe there's a reason you were born
2. Free yourself from limitation
3. Magnify your life
4. Develop a love-centered map
These are things I understand and will work to improve in my life. I found this book truly amazing and would recommend it to anyone. I almost gave it 5 stars.
November 4, 2017
In his foreword, literally entitled "Why I Wrote This Book", author Richard Paul Evans explains that the idea for this came from a sort of off-the-cuff talk he gave to a room full of high schoolers. It was then honed into a speech he presented, at various times and in varying venues, to business people, criminals and drug addicts. A decade later, he expanded on the ideas he first presented and fashioned them into book form so that his blueprint for a more fulfilling life might reach the masses in general.
Boiled down to their essential form, the four "doors" or basic principles Evans works off of are:
BELIEVE THERE’ S A REASON YOU WERE BORN
FREE YOURSELF FROM LIMITATION
MAGNIFY YOUR LIFE
DEVELOP A LOVE-CENTERED MAP
From there, he delves deeper into topics such as self will, spiritual evolution, and the classic, "the only constant is change".
The gist of what he covers here:
SELF WILL: Nothing happens without you propelling yourself either into or out of a situation. Even the act of relinquishing freedom is a choice. Basically, anything that has you throwing even a thought at it is a choice on some level. Evans encourages readers to learn the power of discernment and to find the courage to filter out some of the garbage out there that people will sometimes feed you that could pull you away from your true path.
SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION: Nothing happens by chance or accident. Your life definitely has a purpose. Your life on Earth is meant to be a schooling for your soul to spiritually evolve.
But Evans also reminds readers to keep in mind that true greatness in a person will not always equate to fame.
ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE: Both our spiritual and physical states are in constant flux. The change is necessary because remaining stationary would mean we would inevitable start to diminish.
There are moments here where Evans gives readers some solid food for thought. A few of the topics I found interesting:
* Thinking about how all big inventions, marvels of architecture, world religions, democracy, all that.. started as a seed of an idea in one person's mind.. something to keep in mind when we feel too insignificant to create change or develop great art or inventions!
* During times of hardship, don't give into victimhood. Don't give the power of your life and well-being to someone (or something) else. We can't learn and mature without facing adversity from time to time.
* The mention of a survey once done at UCLA where over 1000 people were asked, "If you could be given a pill that would take away all disability from the body, but it would mean you would lose all the experience and wisdom you learned from living with the disability, would you take the pill?" Honestly, that would be a tough call for me. I appreciate life experience but chronic pain is a witch to live with.
Inspiring as this book is meant to be, Evans doesn't really cover new ground all that much. There were also a few things about the guy himself that just bugged me. I find it off-putting when authors heavily quote themselves in their own books. To me it just reeks of "look how genius I am! and humble too!" I really cringed at one point in this book when Evans says "I think every home in America should have this quote" and of course it was one of his own. UGH.
His story about the book signing also bothered me. He presented it as an example of him going for his dreams, tackling a goal he wanted... but in this instance, he describes taking the seat at an author book signing of an author who was apparently either late or a no-show. Evans presented himself as the author, got staff at the venue to wait on him as if he were the scheduled celebrity and then presented himself to an audience as an established author. This moment apparently helped launch his professional career. He was clearly proud of himself but I kinda saw it as him coming to his fame by somewhat dishonest means. Not classy. Granted, it's impressive to see him with such a success story professionally after having a lifelong struggle with Tourette's Syndrome as well as having a suicidal mother ... but still, for someone writing a motivational / self-help style work, closing on that book signing story was a disappointment for me.
Boiled down to their essential form, the four "doors" or basic principles Evans works off of are:
BELIEVE THERE’ S A REASON YOU WERE BORN
FREE YOURSELF FROM LIMITATION
MAGNIFY YOUR LIFE
DEVELOP A LOVE-CENTERED MAP
From there, he delves deeper into topics such as self will, spiritual evolution, and the classic, "the only constant is change".
The gist of what he covers here:
SELF WILL: Nothing happens without you propelling yourself either into or out of a situation. Even the act of relinquishing freedom is a choice. Basically, anything that has you throwing even a thought at it is a choice on some level. Evans encourages readers to learn the power of discernment and to find the courage to filter out some of the garbage out there that people will sometimes feed you that could pull you away from your true path.
SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION: Nothing happens by chance or accident. Your life definitely has a purpose. Your life on Earth is meant to be a schooling for your soul to spiritually evolve.
But Evans also reminds readers to keep in mind that true greatness in a person will not always equate to fame.
THE TRUE MEASURE OF GREATNESS
I have found that some people, in searching for a meaningful life, have confused greatness with fame. In spite of our culture's obsession with celebrity, a successful life does not have to include fame and, in most cases, shouldn't. Fame and greatness are not the same thing. There are great people in this world -- people of great accomplishment and service to humanity -- who are not famous. There are scores of famous people who are not great. In most cases, true greatness is a silent and lonely affair, unaccompanied by the trumpeted fanfare of acclaim. More important than being known is being of value. The great impact of a loving parent may shake nations. One can only wonder how different the world would be had Adolf Hitler been raised by two kind, happy, and loving parents. Likewise, the spark lit (or extinguished) by a caring and wise teacher may have saved the world more than once.
To be of value to others is a far greater ambition than the vain hope for the world's fleeting applause and fickle admiration. In the end, it is better to be loved by one person who knows your soul than a million people who don't even know your phone number.
ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE: Both our spiritual and physical states are in constant flux. The change is necessary because remaining stationary would mean we would inevitable start to diminish.
There are moments here where Evans gives readers some solid food for thought. A few of the topics I found interesting:
* Thinking about how all big inventions, marvels of architecture, world religions, democracy, all that.. started as a seed of an idea in one person's mind.. something to keep in mind when we feel too insignificant to create change or develop great art or inventions!
* During times of hardship, don't give into victimhood. Don't give the power of your life and well-being to someone (or something) else. We can't learn and mature without facing adversity from time to time.
* The mention of a survey once done at UCLA where over 1000 people were asked, "If you could be given a pill that would take away all disability from the body, but it would mean you would lose all the experience and wisdom you learned from living with the disability, would you take the pill?" Honestly, that would be a tough call for me. I appreciate life experience but chronic pain is a witch to live with.
Inspiring as this book is meant to be, Evans doesn't really cover new ground all that much. There were also a few things about the guy himself that just bugged me. I find it off-putting when authors heavily quote themselves in their own books. To me it just reeks of "look how genius I am! and humble too!" I really cringed at one point in this book when Evans says "I think every home in America should have this quote" and of course it was one of his own. UGH.
His story about the book signing also bothered me. He presented it as an example of him going for his dreams, tackling a goal he wanted... but in this instance, he describes taking the seat at an author book signing of an author who was apparently either late or a no-show. Evans presented himself as the author, got staff at the venue to wait on him as if he were the scheduled celebrity and then presented himself to an audience as an established author. This moment apparently helped launch his professional career. He was clearly proud of himself but I kinda saw it as him coming to his fame by somewhat dishonest means. Not classy. Granted, it's impressive to see him with such a success story professionally after having a lifelong struggle with Tourette's Syndrome as well as having a suicidal mother ... but still, for someone writing a motivational / self-help style work, closing on that book signing story was a disappointment for me.
March 11, 2015
Inspirational and motivational little book, drawing mostly from Evans' old books, which felt a bit of a cheat.
The things he writes about the four doors are important things to know, but if you've grown up in a Judeo-Christian society, it's all stuff you've been taught already. Except how to sneak in to book fairs. That's new.
The things he writes about the four doors are important things to know, but if you've grown up in a Judeo-Christian society, it's all stuff you've been taught already. Except how to sneak in to book fairs. That's new.
April 17, 2015
I enjoyed the basic messages of the Four Doors and the personal stories that illustrated them. I would have enjoyed a stronger use of the metaphor. A closer relationship between the transformational concepts and the doors representing them would have been helpful in making the concepts tangible and making them linger after reading.
December 26, 2013
I must admit I was a little disappointed when I first learned Richard Paul Evans' Christmas book was going to be a motivational, nonfiction book. However, I ended up really liking this book and I'm contemplating buying my own copy so that I could reread it and mark some of my favorite quotes.
February 16, 2014
This was a quick read that made some good points. I'd pick it up again and will be doing some of the exercises. Nice!
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