Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, M.D: Best Book Summary

Have you ever lost something of value and agonized and worried about it?  Who Moved My Cheese gives some tips, through the stories of four adorable characters, on how to adapt when change happens. Learning these strategies will help you always find new cheese.

The story has two mice, Sniff and Scurry. It also has two little people, Hem and Haw. In Who Moved My Cheese, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2002, Spencer Johnson uses “cheese” as a metaphor for what we all want in life, which could be anything and includes, money, good relationships, good health, spiritual growth, etc.  In the story, the “maze” is the location where we find the cheese, which could be your family, your workplace, your community, or anywhere else where you find something you value.

In the story, the two mice and the two little people are faced with an unanticipated change when they look for their cheese in the usual spot at Station C in the maze and they can’t find it. The two little mice, with their simple brains, did not overanalyze things and immediately accepted that the cheese was no longer there and they would need to go find new cheese. The mice used trial and error to find new cheese which was effective.

But, the two little people hemmed and hawed at the injustice of the cheese no longer being at the same spot in the maze and slowly became emaciated until one of them realized, “sometimes things change and are never the same again.”  The little person finally accepted that if you don’t want to become extinct you need to change with the times.

The book is filled with cute reminders, such as,” Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese.” Also, “Imagining yourself enjoying new cheese leads you to it.” And, “Move with the cheese and enjoy it,” which is my favorite.

So many people are needlessly struggling and ranting and raving about jobs that are now gone and will never return. Staying stuck in the past will not help these people. Finding new cheese, i.e, opportunities will help greatly. Go out and find new cheese.

Rating. $$$$   This was a fun, simple read.  I enjoyed it.

Copyright @ 2016 Christine Esser

This book was purchased, not a gift.   

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