Literature also influenced me deeply. In India, we have a famous book called, Thirukkural, written 2,200 years back. I’ll quote a couplet: “If your thoughts are high, definitely you’re going to work for your aim, definitely you will succeed. But conversely, if you don’t have an aim, don’t have high thoughts, how can you aim at success?”

Tirukkural (Tamil: திருக்குறள் also known as the Kural) is a classic Tamil sangam literature consisting of 1330 couplets or Kurals. It was authored by Thiruvalluvar. The Thirukkural is one of the most important works in the Tamil language. This is reflected in some of the other names by which the text is given by such as Tamil marai (Tamil Vedas); poyyamozhi (words that never fail); and Deiva nool (divine text). The book is considered to precede Manimekalai and Silapathikaram since they both acknowledge the Kural text. Follow @The_Kural on twitter to receive 1 kural tweet every day (thanks /u/bakarfakar)!

My second favorite book is Light From Many Lamps, by (Lillian Eichler) Watson.

A classic treasury of inspiration featuring hundreds of passages and quotations—selected from the wisdom of the ages—offering invaluable insight and guidance on the challenges of daily life. Here are not only the best of the world’s most inspiring thoughts and ideas, but the stories behind them: how they came to be written and what their impact has been on others. A storehouse of inspired and inspiring reading, it is a collection of brief, stimulating biographies as well.

And the third book that I love is Empire of the Mind. These three books have made my life.

Empires of the Mind is a revolutionary book that offers answers to men and women interested in "reengineering" their jobs as well as their corporations. Providing dozens of specific techniques and tools for maximizing personal potential, Denis Waitley uncovers the key foundations of authentic self-leadership and delivers career-enhancing strategies on how to thrive on risk and adversity, inspire yourself and others to maximum performance, become more powerful by sharing power, and much more. With Empires of the Mind, you learn how to get ahead and stay ahead in a fast-paced world where the only rule is change.

Inspiring stories and practical insights challenge readers to live a life of everyday greatness. Best-selling author Stephen Covey and Reader’s Digest have joined forces to produce an extraordinary volume of inspiration, insight, and motivation to live a life of character and contribution. The timeless principles and practical wisdom along with a "Go-Forward Plan" challenge readers to make three important choices every day..

And the third book that I love is Empire of the Mind. These three books have made my life.

It is estimated that some 54 million people in the U.S. act as informal caregivers for ill or disabled loved ones. We can add to these countless workers in the fields of health and human service, and yet there is still not enough help to go around: as many as three fourths of our informal caregivers report "going it alone." It's no wonder that "caregiver burnout" and depression afflict so many.

And the third book that I love is Empire of the Mind. These three books have made my life.

The perky parrot Tiya's secure world is shattered when he hears an unknown voice urging him to leave his home, the old banyan tree. As he launches into an adventure-filled journey through strange lands, meeting fantastic creatures along the way, Tiya comes to terms with his strengths and weaknesses. He discovers that no one in this universe is ordinary, and that life is a series of experiences that ultimately unshackle you from your own narrow existence. It is up to you to take on this adventure and come out of it as a free spirit.