Bookpleasures.com welcomes as our guest Matthew Kelly, author of The Rocking Chair Prophet.

Matthew is a multifaceted individual who has made an indelible mark as a best-selling author, inspiring speaker, thought leader, innovative entrepreneur, and influential spiritual guide.

Born in Sydney, Australia, his journey into the realm of personal development and motivation began in his late teens, while he was pursuing his education in business.

Over the years, he has passionately dedicated his life to helping people and organizations discover and cultivate their true potential, striving to become the best versions of themselves.

Matthew's impact on the world is nothing short of profound. His remarkable career spans continents, as he has shared his wisdom with audiences in more than 50 countries, leaving a lasting impression on over 5 million people through his seminars and presentations.

Today, he stands as an internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and sought-after business consultant.

Matthew's literary contributions have resonated with readers across the globe. His books, published in over 30 languages, have achieved the remarkable feat of gracing the pages of prestigious bestseller lists, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. 

Collectively, his works have sold in excess of 50 million copies.

One of his most enduring concepts, "the-best-version-of-yourself," was conceived in his early twenties and has since become a guiding principle for countless individuals.

This transformative idea has found its way into the hearts and minds of presidents, celebrities, athletes, coaches, business leaders, and innovators alike. 

Yet, its true power shines when it is invoked by parents in conversations with their children, asking the poignant question, "Will that help you become the-best-version-of-yourself®?"

Beyond his professional pursuits, Matthew maintains a diverse range of personal interests, including golf, music, art, literature, and spirituality.

Most importantly, he cherishes the time spent with his beloved wife, Meggie, and their children—Walter, Isabel, Harry, Ralph, and Simon. These personal connections and passions further enrich his profound insights into the human experience.

Norm: Good day Matthew and thanks for taking part in our interview.

Can you tell us more about the central theme of The Rocking Chair Prophet, which is about listening to the inner voice within us? Why do you think this is such an important concept in today's world?

Matthew: There is a voice within us all that seeks to guide us toward our destiny. When we are young, we hear it very clearly. As we get older, we start listening to so-called experts, begin doubting the voice within, and lose our way.

This has always been a problem, but learning to hear that voice again is more difficult in today’s world because of all the noise and the sheer volume of distractions. 

Norm: The book explores a wide range of life's quintessential topics. What inspired you to cover such a diverse array of subjects in one story, and how do they relate to the central message of listening to one's inner voice?

Matthew: The book was originally inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s lyrical masterpiece The Prophet. Speak to us about… love, work, generosity, nature, etc., is a gentle nod to this influence.

As Daniel speaks to each of these topics the reader discovers that the central message applies to every aspect of life. It is my hope that readers will return to the book to read single chapters that cover specific topics as their own lives unfold. 

Norm: The book's protagonist, Daniel, undergoes a transformation after a devastating tragedy. Could you elaborate on the role of personal growth and transformation in the narrative and its significance?

Matthew: The easy life rarely helps us to grow. It is the problems and challenges of life that we seek to avoid or run from that hold the seeds of transformation.

From the open line the book seeks to affirm that we all suffer and that our suffering can bear incredible fruit. It is only because Daniel has suffered that he is filled with patience and empathy for those who visit seeking his wisdom. 

Norm: The story revolves around epic conversations that explore life's essential topics. Could you share some key insights or revelations from these conversations that you believe will resonate deeply with readers?

Matthew:  “The difficult and unwelcome situations of relationships also hold the solutions to the unsolved mysteries in our hearts.”

“We need so little. When we multiply our needs and desires, we diminish our happiness. Let your needs and desires be few and simple. Know how little you need to live and be happy.”

“Life isn’t about doing or having. It’s about becoming. Who you become is infinitely more important than what you do or what you have.”

“Love ennobles us. The very nature of love is soul-expanding. It nourishes our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. Love is by its very nature focused on the other. It isn’t self-seeking. To love is to desire what is good for the other person… Love is therefore a choice, an act of the will, not a feeling and not fate.”

“Nature teaches us how to live. She knows more about life than anyone you will ever meet.”

“Throughout history, most problems have been caused by a single idea: the idea that some people are different. But the minute we start thinking we are different, or others are different, divisions emerge, and that’s when things begin to deteriorate.”

“Love your questions and they will love you back.”

Norm: The book touches on a wide range of themes, from love and ambition to spirituality and midlife crisis. Which of these themes do you believe will have the most profound impact on readers' lives?

Matthew: I think that very much depends on what is happening in the readers life. And I think the reader could re-read the book each year and be struck by different topics each time. 

Young people will naturally be drawn to topics such as love, dreams, and destiny. Someone in their late 30s early 40s will be drawn to subjects like midlife crisis, parenting, health, critics, and broken dreams. 

Those who are older will take in the whole landscape of topics. 

Norm: The book is described as an invitation to rediscover oneself and reorient one's life. Could you provide some practical advice or key takeaways that readers might find in your work to achieve this goal?

Matthew: We long for clarity, because clarity allows us to act boldly on the situations and circumstances of our lives. When we lack clarity, we become timid, anxious, and afraid. These all lead to inaction. 

That’s when we start feeling stuck or in a rut. It is my hope that the book provides piercing clarity, and that that clarity gives birth to the courage readers need to act in their own lives. 

Norm: The Rocking Chair Prophet has been referred to as a book that readers will return to throughout their lives. What elements or messages in the book do you think will make it a timeless and enduring read for people of all ages?

Matthew: The timelessness dwells in the topics which I believe are central to the human condition: love, suffering, health and well-being, education, work, money and things, spirituality, regrets, depression, ambition, nature, parenting, midlife crisis, choices, our hopes and dreams, the meaning of life, and enduring friendship. 

If the ideas and questions raised around these topics touch on the core of the human experience, they will endure. 

When I was writing and editing, I was constantly asking myself, would what I am saying on this topic have been helpful fifty years ago and will it still be helpful fifty years from now? 

The opportunities and struggles we face each day are new for us, but they are not new to the history of humanity.

The wise seek to learn from the lives of others, because we simply do not have enough time in our short lives to make all the mistakes for ourselves. 

Norm: The story is described as being about the reader. How did you approach writing a book that is meant to be deeply personal and relatable to each individual reader, and what challenges did you encounter in doing so?

Matthew: By choosing questions and themes that are universal, or concern to all men and women at some point in their lives. 

We all have questions that are uniquely our own, but even those questions are often drawn from larger questions our ancestors have been asking forever. 

For example, when people ask: What is the meaning of life? The question they are really exploring is: What is the meaning of my life?

Norm: With your extensive experience as a bestselling author, how does The Rocking Chair Prophet compare to your previous works, and what makes it a unique addition to your body of work?

Matthew: This is my first attempt at fiction and that was fun and challenging. People can hear a message from different characters and see their own situations through the eyes of people in the story in ways that would never be possible in non-fiction. And story allows the message to be a little messier, because it lends itself the bias and brokenness that is part of us all.

So, in that way, I think it is real in a way that only the complexity of human characters makes possible.

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and The Rocking Chair Prophet?

Matthew: By visiting  MY WEBSITE  they can discover Ezra’s cookie recipe, they can call Sophia and leave her a voicemail, leave their thoughts on the public comment board, and they can share their ideas on what they think should happen in the sequel. 

Norm: As we conclude our interview, can you share any memorable anecdotes or feedback from early readers that highlight the impact and resonance of The Rocking Chair Prophet on their lives?

Matthew: Reading my email and the reviews people post online, the thing that strikes me over and over again, is that is just seems to be the right book at the right time for so many readers.

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all of your endeavors.

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