Sometimes a book makes such a strong impression that you feel compelled to share your thoughts with anyone willing to listen. “The Midnight Library,” by Matt Haig is one of those books. In fact, reading it was the spark for today’s column. The book is part inspirational message and part time-traveling-page turner.

“The Midnight Library” tells a story of regret over life choices. The main character, dejected and frustrated by series of life events, contemplates ending her life. She is sure things would have turned out much better if only she’d made different decisions at pivotal points in her past.

Concluding it’s not worth it to go on, she risks her life and finds herself in a place of limbo, manifesting to her as a library. It is in this “midnight library” that she is given the opportunity to “try out” different versions of her life.

Each alternate life path is based on a key decision. And every “new” life starts out seemingly superior to her “root” life. In one, she’s an Olympic athlete; in another, a rock-star; in another yet, she’s happily married to a hunky doctor. There are endless parallel variations to choose from.

But in each alternative life, she eventually encounters a negative repercussion caused by her choice. She is not the person she dreamed of being. Someone else has suffered, or even died as a result of her actions. Her relationships are skewed. Through several iterations, she ultimately learns to let go of regrets.

This book resonated with me. Who hasn’t wondered what life would be like if they’d just made a few different choices? And though I’m at point where I’m very content with my life (age does bring wisdom after all), a younger version of myself occasionally questioned the paths I’d taken.

At times, I wished I’d gone to graduate school. Or wondered if I should have had more children. Or if I’d chosen the right career. And with each regret, came the question – would my life have turned out “better?” The truth is, there’s no way to know.

Every step along life’s path guides the next step, and the next step – as the main character of the book discovers. Her life seems to be unraveling in every direction, yet she fails to see the positive difference she’s made in the lives of people close to her.

Her self-esteem is largely based on comparing herself to friends and acquaintances on social media. Sadly, for many people, life isn’t worthwhile if not bolstered by a feedback loop of likes and follows – yet it’s a path to a shallow life.

As illustrated in the book, we live in a time where public image takes precedence over private actions. There is so much pressure to be seen as successful and impress others that we’ve forgotten that our unseen actions have a more lasting impact.

When evaluating life choices, do we consider what is really important? Is it the ability to impress others? To collect material objects? To receive accolades and applause from the adoring masses?

Or is it simply knowing that even one person felt seen, comforted, or believed in because you cared – by offering a helping hand, words of encouragement or authentic friendship.

The main character in the book was given the gift of experiencing her life in many convolutions based on different choices. Some resulted in a life full of outward success and popularity… yet she ultimately rejected these options.

This reveals a lot about the emptiness of reaching for goals for all the wrong reasons. If we listen to our heart instead of being directed by what society deems impressive, we can make decisions that reflect our true desires. A life that has purpose and meaning and impact – and no regrets.

I recommend reading “The Midnight Library.” Let me know your thoughts. Is there a book you’ve read that’s changed how you look at life? Tell me about it and I’ll share in a future column.