Twelve books that will change your life
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"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."
- Joseph Addison
Just as the body needs exercise for optimal functioning, so does the mind.
Reading helps with that.
This is a list of life-changing books that I have read throughout the years that have helped me become a better person and live a life with less worry and fear, and more love and inner peace.
Hope you enjoy this list - and if you've already read some of these, have a favorite below, are looking forward to reading any of them in the next few months, or have another great book that I should add to this list - please comment below and let me know!!
ps. books are listed in no particular order
A COURSE IN MIRACLES (Made Easy)
A Course in Miracles is a self-study spiritual thought system that teaches the way to love, forgiveness and inner peace. The original text, also known as ACIM, was written by a psychologist in the '70s who claimed that the ideas found in the ACIM text came to her from a greater power (God, Universe, Source, whatever you'd like to call it) and were not her own.
This version of the ACIM text - A Course in Miracles Made Easy - is said to be the Rosetta Stone for ACIM as the original text is quite complicated to understand. However, Alan Cohen has done us all a great service by breaking down the original text into bits and pieces of more understandable and relatable writing.
In this book, you will find concepts related to choosing love over fear, staying authentic to who you really are, following your dreams no matter how crazy they sound, and how to live a life filled with miracles overall.
Are you looking to transform your relationship with yourself and the world around you? Are you ready to let go of painful memories and open your heart to happiness and self-realization?
This book will help you achieve all that and more - written by spiritual teacher Michael A. Singer - it focuses on traditions of meditation and mindfulness to help you achieve a happier life while working on releasing stress, tension, and worry.
DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF - (and it's all small stuff)
Two rules for living life in harmony: Number one, Don't sweat the small stuff, and number 2, it's all small stuff.
I came across this little inspirational guide as if almost by chance during our honeymoon trip to California. The cute little cabin we rented for the weekend had this book on one of the nightstands and I couldn't resist picking it up with such a catchy title - plus, I'm a suckerrrr for self-help books.
Let's just say that for the rest of the weekend I was HOOKED to this book. I didn't want to put it down and I was determined to finish reading it before we had to pack our bags and move on to our next location.
I read it all in less than 48 hours. It's definitely a quick and easy read but it is jammed packed with inspiring tips and advice on how to live a happier life with less stress, anxiety and worry - because let's admit it, most of the problems and challenges we face on the daily are not end-of-the-world issues yet we treat them as if they are.
This book will help you see your problems through a different lens and will make you grateful for all the good you do have in your life right now.
This book is just one of many of Dr. Wayne Dyer's masterpieces. There is a reason why he is referred to as the 'father of motivation' by his fans - and this book reinforces that notion.
I love it so much that not only did I read this book in paperback form - but I recently downloaded the audible version, which is narrated by Dr. Wayne Dyer himself, and listened to it all over again. It's just THAT good.
If you're into the law of attraction and believe in intention (the notion that if you put your mind/focus on something it has no choice but to actualize) then you're really going to enjoy this text and all of the positivity that comes along with it.
Written by one of my favorite people, Esther Hicks (also known as Abraham) and her husband Jerry Hicks, this book is a phenomenal guide into the law of attraction and the power of manifesting your dreams. I am a sucker for all things LOA, therefore, I really fell in love with this book.
From relationships to health issues to finances or career advice - this book covers it all and helps you transform your thinking and empowers you into believing that you DESERVE all the good in this world - and it teaches you how to achieve it.
In The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz shares with his readers four* simple truths that can change your life forever. Seriously, after reading this book, my outlook on so many parts of my life shifted for the better.
This short and easy-to-read book contains a load of ancient wisdom that is going to allow you to let go of childhood trauma and pain and open your heart to an easier and lighter life that is true to who you are.
*There is a newer version released called The Fifth Agreement, where Don Miguel Ruiz adds an additional agreement to the initial four. I recommend reading the Four Agreements first and then moving on to the 2nd edition.
WOW! Those are the words I uttered when I was done reading (orrrr listening rather since I listened to this book via audible) this book. Brene Brown is a magician with her words. When you are done with this book, you are going to feel so empowered, so deserving of everything good, so fired up to go and live the life that you really want!
This is what Brene Brown does to you - she fires you up and makes you realize you are worthy and deserving! Daring Greatly is all about teaching us how to have the courage to be vulnerable in a world that is always trying to knock you down. It is easy to stand on the sidelines and criticize but true bravery is stepping outside of your comfort zone and putting 'yourself out there'.
Daring Greatly is just *one* of her great books - I also suggest The Gifts of Imperfection and Braving The Wilderness.
THE SEVEN SPIRITUAL LAWS OF SUCCESS
In this book, Deepak Chopra takes you by the hand and guides you through seven essential truths that have the potential to bring you success in all areas of your life.
A very easy and quick read - I'm sure you're going to want to refer back to this book over and over again. I've read both the hard text and listen to it on audible whenever I need that extra boost of motivation and inspiration.
Feeling like your life lacks direction? Looking to implement a routine or structure your life somehow but just can't seem to figure it out? The Miracle Morning is the answer to your prayers. This book contains such simple principles yet they will have such a profound effect on your life.
This book is exactly what the title says - it teaches you how to have a miracle morning. Say good-bye to crazy-chaotic-mornings where you are constantly rushing to get out of the door, coffee spilling everywhere, kids screaming, hair all over the place.. and say hello to zenned-out-quiet mornings that allow you to wake up, practice mindfulness, and prepare for the day in a much more empowered manner.
I think having a morning routine is a key element in having a successful and productive rest of the day - and this book will teach you how to do just that.
A NEW EARTH: AWAKENING TO YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE
You might know Eckhart Tolle from his very famous and best-selling book The Power of Now. A New Earth is the follow up to his best-seller in which he expands on the knowledge he shared previously and teaches us how we must go above our ego in order to find happiness and fulfillment in our lives.
After reading this book - you will be transformed in a way that the world will just seem different to you - in the best way possible! This book really teaches you how to let go of your ego.
This book was another one of those pleasant little surprises that I came across during a road trip vacation through Oregon last summer with my husband. This charming little cabin we were staying in had a pile of books readily available for us to read and for some reason, this book caught my attention.
Let's just say once I opened it and started reading it, i-could-not-put-it-down. I made it my mission to finish this book in the three days we'd be staying there.
In this book, Mitch Albom (also known for his best selling book: The Five People You Meet In Heaven) shares the life-changing wisdom of one of his old college professors, Morrie Shwartz, who he reconnects with during his dying days after years of no contact. Their rekindled friendship turns into one final class: lessons in how to live.
This book will make you smile, laugh and cry all at once. And hopefully teaches you a thing or two (or more) about what really matters in life.
HOW TO STOP WORRYING AND START LIVING
Considered a classic in the self-development genre - this book is essential for anyone going through hardship right now in life. If you are in a place in your life where you feel that you can't catch a break, you are constantly filled with worry, and stress is your middle name.. this book will do wonders for you.
It's very different from the rest of the books on this list as it is not very heavy on the spiritual side of things - but it does offer some very important real-life wisdom that I believe every human should be aware of.
This book will help you prioritize what is important in your life, what really matters, and will teach you how to let go of the insignificant problems we so strongly hold on to.
CLICK TO PIN
with love + gratitude,
Jen ♥
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