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Life Is A Sandcastle: “Nothing is permanent, except the things you create temporarily.”
Why should you invest time, energy and love in creating something today—perhaps a sandcastle or a life—even when you know it might be gone tomorrow?
This book will answer that question, and introduce you to a straightforward philosophy in life, a simple yet profound way of looking and understanding things. And in the process inspire you to smile, and to think and question everything, especially things that make up your everyday life and your comfort zone. Things that too often receive no attention.
Imagining life as a sandcastle will help you take pause, redefine your focus, and identify the things that are beneficial to you from those that are not. The process will give you a chance to open, develop and even change your mind, find answers that work for you, and help you create a life as happy as possible.
This book will answer that question, and introduce you to a straightforward philosophy in life, a simple yet profound way of looking and understanding things. And in the process inspire you to smile, and to think and question everything, especially things that make up your everyday life and your comfort zone. Things that too often receive no attention.
Imagining life as a sandcastle will help you take pause, redefine your focus, and identify the things that are beneficial to you from those that are not. The process will give you a chance to open, develop and even change your mind, find answers that work for you, and help you create a life as happy as possible.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2020
19 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 6, 2021
While not a book I would normally pick up, it was recommended to me by my youngest son as something he found interesting.
Basically, what I took away from Moliis's approach to life is that nothing is permanent, so you have to be in the now and make the most of things. Life is but fleeting, so don't waste a lot of time mulling over poor past decisions when you can learn and move on. Don't beat yourself up over what you can't do, but enjoy what you can with those who make you happy.
At this point in my life (mid-fifties), I've already come to many of the conclusions that the author has, so I'm probably not the best audience. But if you haven't arrived at this point in life, it is not a bad tool to help you realise what is important and what isn't and enjoy what you can while you can.
Overall, this book is a very quick read and may cause you to have some deep thinking about what is/should be important in your life and what isn't. While it is not something I would read just for entertainment, it was interesting.
Basically, what I took away from Moliis's approach to life is that nothing is permanent, so you have to be in the now and make the most of things. Life is but fleeting, so don't waste a lot of time mulling over poor past decisions when you can learn and move on. Don't beat yourself up over what you can't do, but enjoy what you can with those who make you happy.
At this point in my life (mid-fifties), I've already come to many of the conclusions that the author has, so I'm probably not the best audience. But if you haven't arrived at this point in life, it is not a bad tool to help you realise what is important and what isn't and enjoy what you can while you can.
Overall, this book is a very quick read and may cause you to have some deep thinking about what is/should be important in your life and what isn't. While it is not something I would read just for entertainment, it was interesting.
March 25, 2024
Simple y bueno siempre es bueno leer de estos libros positivos
April 26, 2023
I read the final published version of the book only several months after I finished writing it, which is truly an edifying thing to do, for it allowed me to reflect in its content as a reader rather than as a writer, and there is a huge difference between those two roles!
I am very happy and proud about the result, and glad to realize that what I felt and wrote down then, is still what I feel and think today!
And most importantly, I feel that Life Is A Sandcastle accomplishes what I set out to do: offer approachable and diverse ways for the reader to see the world differently, to question all the right things, learn to ignore the wrong ones, and find answers that work for each individual - on their way to a happier life!
Thank you for reading!
I am very happy and proud about the result, and glad to realize that what I felt and wrote down then, is still what I feel and think today!
And most importantly, I feel that Life Is A Sandcastle accomplishes what I set out to do: offer approachable and diverse ways for the reader to see the world differently, to question all the right things, learn to ignore the wrong ones, and find answers that work for each individual - on their way to a happier life!
Thank you for reading!
September 7, 2022
No sé qué fue lo que más disfrute del libro; el hecho de qué parece que estás teniendo una plática con el autor y está escrito de una forma tan simple qué te atrapa o que te hace reflexionar y querer empezar a vivir tu vida desde un punto de vista diferente.
Este libro reforzó muchos ideales que yo tenía y me hizo darme cuenta de cosas que me motivaron a cambiar mis hábitos de ser, existir y disfrutar. Me FASCINO que es interactivo y te da la oportunidad de reflexionar desde tu vida todo lo que cuenta y sugiere.
Recomiendo muchísimo este libro!! Está corto y directo al grano con frases demasiado buenas…. definitivamente es algo que volver a leer!!!
Este libro reforzó muchos ideales que yo tenía y me hizo darme cuenta de cosas que me motivaron a cambiar mis hábitos de ser, existir y disfrutar. Me FASCINO que es interactivo y te da la oportunidad de reflexionar desde tu vida todo lo que cuenta y sugiere.
Recomiendo muchísimo este libro!! Está corto y directo al grano con frases demasiado buenas…. definitivamente es algo que volver a leer!!!
April 2, 2021
This is a very helpful book, if you’ve ever dealt with depression and anxiety.
I’ve taken therapy for a while (I take three or six months, then go without it for a while) and I realized I have this problem where if someone tells me what to do, I don’t want to do it.
So, this book is a complete guide to self-meditation that could lead you to understand why it’s important to act, and let go while having fun. And you won’t feel like someone is making you do things their way, if you have that problem like me.
I like the exercises bits a lot, lately I’ve been having this exercise with a dear friend from Germany, where we ask complicated questions and we both answer, noting them in our journals so we can reflect upon them later in life. This book is going to be a treasure in a couple of years, when I look back to it and realize all that I’ve written down, how my 2021 self thought then.
This book has many valuable lessons, and it hits many modern problems that I think not everybody wants to be inquisitive about, much more less after this pandemic. I’m glad that I’ve met the author personally, and that he was a mentor to me for a while, because I’m a witness that he truly lives his life under this Life is a Sandcastle mentality. And I can tell you that I admire him; and since we had a long chat back in a comic con in San Antonio, TX, many of the words we shared there are still impacting me today.
Thank you for writing something that I’ve been trying to actually do since last year, and that I hope these lessons will be of use for the next year! Because I have some adventures that I hope I can accomplish.
You make me proud! I’ve recommended this book like crazy since i started reading it because these things are worth talking about. We all have problems at some point and it’s worth knowing that in this book, you can find yourself in a sort of timeless space in which you can learn, think, and plan so you can act. And hopefully feel great about the result.
I highlighted a lot of sentences throughout the book, and hopefully I’ll show you my answers to the exercises one day. I’d love to hear your opinion.
Thank you, Tero for this!
I’ve taken therapy for a while (I take three or six months, then go without it for a while) and I realized I have this problem where if someone tells me what to do, I don’t want to do it.
So, this book is a complete guide to self-meditation that could lead you to understand why it’s important to act, and let go while having fun. And you won’t feel like someone is making you do things their way, if you have that problem like me.
I like the exercises bits a lot, lately I’ve been having this exercise with a dear friend from Germany, where we ask complicated questions and we both answer, noting them in our journals so we can reflect upon them later in life. This book is going to be a treasure in a couple of years, when I look back to it and realize all that I’ve written down, how my 2021 self thought then.
This book has many valuable lessons, and it hits many modern problems that I think not everybody wants to be inquisitive about, much more less after this pandemic. I’m glad that I’ve met the author personally, and that he was a mentor to me for a while, because I’m a witness that he truly lives his life under this Life is a Sandcastle mentality. And I can tell you that I admire him; and since we had a long chat back in a comic con in San Antonio, TX, many of the words we shared there are still impacting me today.
Thank you for writing something that I’ve been trying to actually do since last year, and that I hope these lessons will be of use for the next year! Because I have some adventures that I hope I can accomplish.
You make me proud! I’ve recommended this book like crazy since i started reading it because these things are worth talking about. We all have problems at some point and it’s worth knowing that in this book, you can find yourself in a sort of timeless space in which you can learn, think, and plan so you can act. And hopefully feel great about the result.
I highlighted a lot of sentences throughout the book, and hopefully I’ll show you my answers to the exercises one day. I’d love to hear your opinion.
Thank you, Tero for this!
August 23, 2021
Parece una charla muy amena con Tero, buen storytelling, grandes historias que comparte y una filosofía super hands off.
March 23, 2024
“Why would you bother spending time and energy in building something today that you know for sure will not be there tomorrow?”
Me gustó la simplicidad en las ideas y metáforas de esta lectura. Un libro muy sencillo y corto de leer.
Me gustó la simplicidad en las ideas y metáforas de esta lectura. Un libro muy sencillo y corto de leer.
February 28, 2021
El libro Life is a Sandcastle es un excelente libro para conocer y en su caso, reafirmar, varios conceptos de la vida, de como llevar una vida feliz sin muchas complicaciones. En una época de la vida donde debido a la pandemia, pasamos mucho tiempo pensando en el pasado y en el futuro, nos podemos dar cuenta de la importancia de vivir en el presente. De tomar acción en lo que realmente importa y en lo que realmente nos va llenar en nuestra estancia temporal en este mundo, que llamamos Vida.
Es un libro que creo volveré a leer por lo menos una vez cada año. Ojalá pronto lo traduzcan al español para que llegue a más personas.
Es un libro que creo volveré a leer por lo menos una vez cada año. Ojalá pronto lo traduzcan al español para que llegue a más personas.
July 8, 2022
𝘉𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦.
𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤!
A small book with a powerful message, what a great read, I loved every page and every word, an insightful and fun read that reminds you to focus on the small and important aspects of life. We need more books like these out there. Fantastic.
Thank you Tero Moliis for this wonderful gift.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤!
A small book with a powerful message, what a great read, I loved every page and every word, an insightful and fun read that reminds you to focus on the small and important aspects of life. We need more books like these out there. Fantastic.
Thank you Tero Moliis for this wonderful gift.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
August 30, 2024
This sandcastle is a lighthouse in the midst of a storm.
I read "Life is a sandcastle" because I follow Tero on LinkedIn and I have seen him in his "Unprofessional Show". "Professional courtesy" I thought, as I have done with other books from people I know.
But Tero's book moved me much deeper than I would have expected, having read it in a moment in my life when I needed to make a pause and reflect upon an important sandcastle, that was crumbling despite my efforts to keep it standing.
Tero's honest and straightforward approach has helped me calm my mind and find some peace.
It is a quick read (about two hours, non-stop) but it comes with a prolonged reflection that may last a lifetime... or not.
When someone asks me: "Which book should I read?", I always say "The man in search for meaning", by Victor Frankl. I will now include "Life is a Sandcastle".
It is that good.
I read "Life is a sandcastle" because I follow Tero on LinkedIn and I have seen him in his "Unprofessional Show". "Professional courtesy" I thought, as I have done with other books from people I know.
But Tero's book moved me much deeper than I would have expected, having read it in a moment in my life when I needed to make a pause and reflect upon an important sandcastle, that was crumbling despite my efforts to keep it standing.
Tero's honest and straightforward approach has helped me calm my mind and find some peace.
It is a quick read (about two hours, non-stop) but it comes with a prolonged reflection that may last a lifetime... or not.
When someone asks me: "Which book should I read?", I always say "The man in search for meaning", by Victor Frankl. I will now include "Life is a Sandcastle".
It is that good.
January 12, 2022
Reading this is like having a conversation with the author. I would recommend the physical version because, you’ll want it in your library, its beautiful from cover to cover and you can interact with the book. I loved the quirky details, the stories shared and the prompts to get you thinking. One thing you can tell the author enjoys is setting in front of you the questions you didn’t know you needed to ask yourself. If you’ve been one to invest in self-development, this book will bring on many familiar things, and if you’re wondering where to start your journey, this book is a great place to do so. It’s human, fun, and relatable. A great reminder that the best things in life are ephemeral.
November 24, 2021
It is exactly the book I needed at the right time.
It was by coincidence that I met Tero Moliis when I did after I shared my summer reading list on LinkedIn. He reminded me of the fact that a person needs to read fiction just as much as they read business books. He recommended a Pulitzer Prize winner and I have been reading it along side Life is a Sandcastle to balance the dark with the light.
Moliis is not only a great author himself, and writes sentences that speak to your heart but has the uncanny ability to recommend the book you need to read right now.
It was by coincidence that I met Tero Moliis when I did after I shared my summer reading list on LinkedIn. He reminded me of the fact that a person needs to read fiction just as much as they read business books. He recommended a Pulitzer Prize winner and I have been reading it along side Life is a Sandcastle to balance the dark with the light.
Moliis is not only a great author himself, and writes sentences that speak to your heart but has the uncanny ability to recommend the book you need to read right now.
December 27, 2022
The author shares lots of stories and anecdotes that remind us to stop and smell the roses and that sometimes growth, joy and enjoyment are found in the process and not necessarily in perfection of a final product. I firmly believe that most of the best things in life are memories and moments. This is a beautiful book that I will probably read many times. It was the perfect read during the global pandemic.
January 17, 2023
It feels like homework at times with all the to do’s though I must admit that a lot of great moments of self reflection came from them. The first half starts real slow but it really picks up in the second. More than anything it feels like having a conversation with a friend who you don’t agree with on everything but can appreciate some of what they’re saying to you.
May 2, 2024
De la bella fugacidad. Es una historia que nos invita a calibrar adecuadamente la importancia o no del tiempo , pero por ello la necesidad de entregarnos a saborear los momentos , tranquilos y con desapego
July 21, 2023
Can we go to the beach now?
Read
November 15, 2023good, made me cringe in some parts
May 13, 2023
Es un buen libro para la introducción a ciertas líneas de pensamiento influidas por ciertas corrientes filosóficas. Es bueno para estimular la apertura de pensamiento y de nuestra mortal arraigada.
También creo que es adecuado para la búsqueda de inspiración. Después de este libro leiría algo estoicismo de seneca o existencialismo de jean Paul sartre
Cuatro estrellas porque he tenido la oportunidad de convivir con Tero y es un tipo fenomenal y que transmite su filosofía clínica, como él le llama, en sus acciones y conversaciones.
También creo que es adecuado para la búsqueda de inspiración. Después de este libro leiría algo estoicismo de seneca o existencialismo de jean Paul sartre
Cuatro estrellas porque he tenido la oportunidad de convivir con Tero y es un tipo fenomenal y que transmite su filosofía clínica, como él le llama, en sus acciones y conversaciones.
December 28, 2022
I loved reading this book.
It's one I felt inspired afterwards, but didn't feel challenged to read through it.
I think it is because of the person stories. It makes it entertaining ánd the practical steps after every chapter helped me to not only feel inspired, but also actually change something in my life (I shifted small things to be more happy every single day).
It's one I felt inspired afterwards, but didn't feel challenged to read through it.
I think it is because of the person stories. It makes it entertaining ánd the practical steps after every chapter helped me to not only feel inspired, but also actually change something in my life (I shifted small things to be more happy every single day).
January 21, 2025
La vida es como un castillo de arena, frágil pero hermosa. Este libro es un recordatorio de que, aunque las olas puedan derribarlo, siempre podemos construirlo de nuevo.El final nos deja con la certeza de que la vida, aunque efímera, está llena de momentos significativos.Un libro que te invita a reflexionar sobre el paso del tiempo. ¿Qué estás construyendo con tu vida hoy?
June 1, 2025
Me encanta la simplicidad y la originalidad, y autor lo consigue en este gran libro La Vida es un Castillo de Arena. Su analogía es impecable y tu eres el creador de tu vida, de tu castillo, del rumbo que le quieras dar para tener esas experiencias que llenan tu vida de felicidad y sentido. Felicidades Tero!
February 3, 2023
Este libro invita al lector a abrir la mente, a ver la vida como una invitación a valorar el aquí y el ahora, un libro con una lectura fácil de digerir, dinámico con ejercicios que ayudan al lector a adentrarse en la filosofía “life is a sandcastle”.
January 30, 2025
The book is a series of statements that I believe everyone should read (and therefore meditate on) at some point in their life; basic knowledge of things that I consider essential to obtain happiness. It's a very quick and very pleasant read; a good therapeutic exercise.
March 9, 2025
Malísimo. Las primeras 10 páginas son más que suficiente. El resto del libro pareciera que el autor solamente quería llegar a la marca del número de palabras que le pidieron. Listas interminables y redundantes cada dos párrafos.
May 26, 2025
Un libro fácil de leer y que te invita a reflexionar sobre la vida. Una riqueza de vocabulario digna de admirar considerando que el español no es el idioma nativo del escritor.
July 1, 2024
¿Por qué tenemos que cuestionarnos todo? ¿No podemos ser aceptar la forma en la que somos? ¿Siempre tenemos que cuestionarnos? ¿Para qué? me siento satisfecha con la vida que tengo aún y con las “imposiciones” que seguramente me pusieron mis papás. Esas son las preguntas que me hice después de leer el libro y que le hice al autor. Ya veré si en cinco años sigo igual o si ahora si veo la necesidad de cuestionármelo todo.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews