Thursday, April 16, 2015
I’m a bit of a book junkie. I love books and read all the time – usually more than one book at a time. The genre that most occupies my bookshelves is self-improvement/personal development/spiritual growth. I love books about how to transform your life, how to improve yourself, and how to grow personally and spiritually – probably why I love life coaching too! Recently one of my clients asked about which books I’ve read that greatly impacted my life. I decided to share the list I gave her in this blog post. Reading the books on this list changed my life in many ways and any person would benefit from reading any one of them.
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear And Take Your Life To The Next Level By Gay Hendricks.
This is a fabulous book about how to overcome false fears and beliefs that limit our happiness and success. I’ve read this book numerous times and always give it as a gift to my private coaching clients.
Steering By Starlight: The Science and Magic of Finding Your Destiny By Martha Beck.
I probably could have put all of Martha Beck’ s books on this list, as they are all life changing; however, Steering By Starlight is my personal favorite. The book is about how to reconnect with your authentic hopes, dreams, and desires so you can live the life you’re destined to live.
Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare To Ask God For The Impossible By Steven Furtick
This is a book about what happens when we dare to dream big dreams, pray audacious prayers, ask God for the impossible, and have faith in it all. This book is bold and audacious and one that will make you say, “hmmm….”
The Art Of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your Life One Month At A Time By Cheryl Richardson
This is another favorite of mine that I refer to regularly for myself and also gift to my private coaching clients. Cheryl Richardson presents 12 life-changing self-care strategies that help you embrace self-care and transform your life.
Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself By Lissa Rankin, MD
This book will change the way you think about your health and wellness as well as how you view illness. A medical doctor who is now changing the way we view healing wrote it (she also happens to be my mentor, I’m proud to say.) You will learn about the mind-body connection and hear numerous stories of spontaneous healing. It’s chock full of scientific proof that yes, you can heal yourself!
The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your Way By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
In this book Dr. Dyer describes “intention” as a force in the universe that allows the act of creation to take place. This book explores this intention—not as something you do—but as energy you’re a part of. This is another one I gift frequently and have read several times.
Busting Loose From The Money Game: Mind-Blowing Strategies for Changing the Rules of a Game You Can’t Win By Robert Scheinfeld
This is another book that will make you go, “hmmm….” It contains a process for which you can change the way you view money, and many other aspects of your life. This process has to do with reclaiming power, remembering who we truly are, reaffirming that truth, and dramatically increasing our levels of appreciation for ourselves and the world around us.
Outrageous Openness: Letting The Divine Take The Lead By Tosha Silver
This is a beautiful book containing a collection of spiritual lessons, anecdotes, and thoughts on the Divine’s intervention in our lives. Love this one to pieces!
Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life By Byron Katie
This is a book about “The Work” of Byron Katie. The Work is simply four questions that, when applied to a specific problem, enable you to see what is troubling you in an entirely different light. As Katie says, “It’s not the problem that causes our suffering; it’s our thinking about the problem.” This book will teach you how to question your thoughts and end self-created suffering. I can’t say enough about this book or “The Work” – they have changed my life.
The End Of Your World: Uncensored Straight Talk on the Nature of Enlightenment By Adyashanti
If you are on a spiritual journey or one of awakening or spiritual enlightenment, this is a wonderful book which describes what it’s like to experience a spiritual awakening as well as the answer to the question of “what’s next”? (Which almost always follows one’s spiritual awakening)
A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course In Miracles” By Marianne Williamson
This book is based on the author’s experiences as a teacher and lecturer on the self-study guide A Course in Miracles (Foundation for Inner Peace, 1975). Marianne Williamson shares her reflections on A Course in Miracles and her insights on the application of love in the search for inner peace. If you’re familiar with A Course in Miracles, this book is a great synopsis of the key concepts, which, when applied to your life can be truly transformative.
Infinite Possibilities: The Art Of Living Your Dreams By Mike Dooley
This is a wonderful book about how our beliefs, expectations, and understanding our place in the Universe all contributes to our ability to live our best life. Mike Dooley provides spiritual insights that illuminate the truth behind our desires, human nature, and Divine Intelligence while providing a manual on how to bring what we most want into our lives. It’s another one I adore!
So those are 11 of the many books that have transformed my life. They are listed in no particular order – I love them all equally and for very different reasons. One thing I will add is that the books themselves won’t change your life – only you can do that. The books contain tons of wisdom and insight on how you can grow and develop and enhance your life but you are the key factor to making the changes. It’s when you use the books’ suggestions and wisdom in your own life (to the degree any of it resonates with you), you begin to see true transformation happen.
What books have had great impact on you? Please comment and share as I’m always seeking more books to add to my reading list and would love to hear from you!
