Balanceophile

A prominent reason I love reading books is that they have a powerful way to influence readers on a deeper level. Sure, there are other ways one could get influenced, be it movies or podcasts, etc. But the profound level books can influence, I haven’t discovered it via any other means yet.

Speaking of influencing, you know, there is one more element that can influence people, and that’s Drugs. Addiction to anything is worse, and drug addiction is not just physically harmful but mentally too. We all know that. We all avoid drugs for the same reason. But why do some people still do it? What happens in the minds of those who are addicted to drugs? Why can’t others relate to them, and their suggestions just don’t work out for addicts?

Enter the Memoir by our own Chandler Bing, Matthew Perry.

“Addiction is like the Joker. It just wants to see the whole world burn.”

No wonder Matthew Perry calls himself Batman.

Before I start my review, I saw a few reviews on Goodreads, and most of them have mentioned how the timeline in this book is haphazard. Readers are often confused as to when the incidents mentioned in the book have happened. My two cents: A person who is trying to pour his heart into how addiction influenced his life cannot really focus on getting the timeline right. Their life is haphazard, just like the memoir. It’s a real example of how his life was and how the world treated him.

Now, for the review:

“You have to get famous to know that it’s not the answer. And nobody who is not famous will ever truly believe that.”

First thing, we blatantly assume that famous people have everything easy. They are rich, people adore them, and they can get anything they want anytime. Still, why do they complain?

It may not be that easy. Grass may not be green all the time on the other side. Matthew Perry clearly spoke about this and how his fame did not completely make him happy. A lesson for us is that what we think is the answer to all our problems might not always be the answer. So, being open in life and accepting what comes our way sometimes will be the answer to this adventure called Life.

“I would give it all up not to feel this way.”

All the FRIENDS fans! Imagine if Chandler Bing was not in our lives. Imagine Chandler Bing as someone, but not Matthew Perry. Sounds difficult, right? Now, if Matthew Perry said he is ready to give it all up, I guess it sums up how what we think is our dream may not be our dream after all. What we think is the reality may not be our reality at all. Bottom line is that peace always beats everything. So, we must discover what brings us peace.

“Matty, you’re enough, the words I’ve been longing to hear my entire life?”

Matthew Perry feels this? Come on! You’ve got to be kidding! Well, I kid you not, he said that. But what’s wrong with it? He deserves to hear it, like all of us. Humans, no matter fame or money, have the same kind of feelings drawn from life experiences. From happiness to sadness, all kinds of feelings are valid. Being grateful in life is where most of us draw the line.

“Not before I had learned to live, to love. Not before the world made more sense to me.”

The mindset of Perry that I would love to include in my life is how hopeful and grateful he always was in spite of all he went through in life. Sure, a grand ocean view house and millions of dollars might give you all the hope, but emotionally, without anyone beside you, suffering night and day, that money and house may not always make you cheerful.

“I liked the drama and the chaos of my addiction problem.”

Often, without our notice, we tend to attract negativity in life because we like something from it, like the drama that it comes with. Reality is that this attraction/manifestation is what contradicts peace. Need peace? Stop manifesting drama.

Conclusion

This is my first memoir, as I never felt attracted to memoirs or autobiographies. But as it was Chandler Bing, I wanted to read it. And if I have not made myself clear already, I loved reading Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. It is a raw and eye-opening read for me.