Phiroze Lakhani

A Deeply Moving Book with Subtle Life Lessons When Breath Becomes Air is not just a memoir—it's a mirror to how high-achieving, ambitious professionals cope with mortality. Paul Kalanithi was brilliant and successful, but also deeply driven—maybe even obsessed—with work and productivity. Even after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he found solace not in rest or reflection, but in returning to the operating room and chasing routine. That was his coping mechanism—his form of dopamine. What stood out to me was how little focus was given to health basics—no deep mention of sleep, food, or exercise, except a brief line about enjoying running. Instead, Paul seemed to rely on sheer willpower and purpose to keep going. It makes you think: was the chronic stress and 100-hour workweeks a contributor to his illness? It’s a tough but relevant question for our times. His wife’s chapter confirms how relentlessly he kept working till the very end. He wasn’t money-minded per se, but he needed to keep moving, keep achieving—it was his identity. That kind of internal pressure is admirable, yet concerning. Many educated professionals today, like Paul, plan their lives—right down to the timing of having children—but faith or surrender rarely feature. Between the lines, the book teaches powerful "dos and don’ts" of life, stress, and balance. It’s an emotional read, full of honesty, but also a reminder of the cost of relentless ambition. Highly recommended—but it’s not just a book to read. It’s one to reflect on.