Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness by Richard Lui
Zondervan Books, 2021

Reviewed by Pat White

Enough About Me caught my eye when I saw it was written by Richard Lui, a journalist and anchor for NBC News and MSNBC whom I have enjoyed following. Even more noteworthy to me is that Richard Lui is the son of Cumberland Presbyterian minister, the Reverand Stephen Lui, with whom I became close friends during my time as manager of the Cumberland Presbyterian Resource Center (1986-2000).

In this book, Richard tells the story of his father’s decline with Alzheimer’s Disease to the point now that he cannot speak or eat on his own. While Richard and his siblings became caretakers for their father several years ago, he now resides in a facility. They continue to spend what time they are allowed with him remembering when their father was a minister and social worker, and their mother, Rose, taught school. The story is not so much about the Reverend Stephen Lui’s health as it is about living a life of selflessness.

Growing up in China Town, San Francisco, the Lui family lived on meager earnings. As Richard looks back over those years, he recalls the selflessness of his parents despite their not always having enough money to live comfortably. Those memories and examples set by his parents began to bring change to Richard’s life. He reduced his workload as a journalist and anchor and began making monthly flights from New York City to San Francisco to assist his mother as care giver until she was no longer able to handle the workload. Then the Lui children stepped up to meet the needs of their parents. So began Richard Lui’s journey into the power of selflessness.

Enough About Me includes several polls and experiments showing what people like best in others is selflessness, caring about the needs and interests of other people. Richard illustrates the chemical changes that come when we do selfless acts and volunteering. In fact, volunteering quite possibly lengthens our lives according to a 1999 study. Doing selfless things de-stresses our lives and brings more happiness.

The book is full of nuggets that encourage altruism including, “‘How others treat the CEO says nothing,’ wrote Del Jones in USA Today. ‘But how others treat the waiter is like a magical window into the soul.’”

An “ah-ha” moment comes after we have spent much of our lives giving all of ourselves to one thing such as job, relationship, or cause, and then wake up one day to discover that our one thing is gone, and we have no plan B. Lui points out that a diversified life requires that we give of ourselves to at least three areas.

Enough About Me says so much about many aspects of our lives. The business leader will find less turn around and higher productivity in employees who are allowed time for care giving. Caregivers will find support and renewed strength. Church leaders will see the value in volunteering and encouraging congregants to live lives of selflessness. Individuals will be challenged to care more deeply about others. So, who should read this book? Anyone who wants to live more abundantly and enjoy the humor Richard Lui adds to offset the sadness of Alzheimer’s and the depth of thought in every chapter.