Life Changing and Inspirational Books
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Books That Make a Difference
Over the years I have read several such life-changing books - some have been novels, or autobiographies, or perhaps instructional. Others come under the ubiquitous self-improvement label.
I've gone through my bookshelves and picked out a few of my favourite inspirational books. Books which have opened my eyes to new possibilities and new ways of thinking. I hope you like them.
Photo courtesy of Lin Pernille under the Creative Commons License.
Contents at a Glance
The Field
Lynne McTaggart
It took the author almost eight years to write, inspired as she was by her observance of 'miracles' and everyday synchronicities that we all take for granted.
As I read The Field, my mind began to open to so many new ideas. I was astounded and thrilled by the theories put forward. So many things start to make a whole lot of sense. I read tarot and I know I am not clairvoyant but I am flummoxed sometimes how I KNOW what is happening is someone's life. The Field explains this knowing, along with so many other mind-blowing ideas.
Everyone should read this book at least once.
The Field: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe
Amazon Price: $8.81 (as of 02/18/2012)
Alice Wonder says, "Somehow this very talented author was able to not only keep my attention, but grab it! I couldn't put this book down. It is highly thought provoking and interesting. Definitely worth a read, regardless of your opinions there are many references to solid research and experiments you can look into. A real eye-opening, thought provoking experience I am grateful for!"
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"McTaggart's book should come with a warning: may forever change your world view." Larry Dossey, MD
Writing the Natural Way
Gabriele Rico, Ph.D.
I found that words just came spilling out of me. I only took a few days to complete all the exercises and I haven't been able to stop writing since! It unleashed some hidden pool of creativity which I am able to tap into whenever I need to.
I home school my kids and already I have been incorporating the ideas in this book into suggestions for their creative writing.
Please don't dismiss this one as not being your sort of thing. If you love to read and you'd like to write, then Writing the Natural Way will show you how to do just that.
Writing the Natural Way
Amazon Price: $55.59 (as of 02/18/2012)
J.D. says, "I have journaled since I was a young child. This book is an exciting and challenging way to improve your writing skills and rethink your understanding of writing. It teaches you to re-capture the creative child's mind that we lost along the way of formal education. I am currently on my second trip through this book, and using it to help teach a woman in her 60's about creative writing. The best book on creative writing in my opinion."
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"Thus the techniques you will learn in this book might just be much more than mere techniques -- they might be THE mind tools." Tyler Volk
Ask And You Will Succeed
Ken D Foster
The aim of the book is for you to 'fulfil your greatest dreams, unlock your creativity, manifest unending success and create wealth in all areas of your life'. That's as maybe; none of those things are the reason why I like this book. I even hate the title!
However, what I do like about this book is that the author has put together a damn fine set of questions to inspire me as a writer, a journaler and someone who needs a bit of a push when it comes to generating ideas. For example, I was idly browsing through it the other day, wondering if it deserved a place in my 'most inspirational books' when I stumbled across a group of questions which suddenly popped an idea into my head for a new Squidoo lens. In that one instant Ask and You Will Succeed elevated itself onto this page!
The book is divided into 36 sections, including Beliefs, Communication, Money, Family, Anger, Energy, Happiness, Heath, Home, Love, Relationships, etcetera. Each section has a list of searching questions regarding the topic. Excellent for journaling or as writing exercises or even to help you ponder awhile.
Example questions:
When will you commit to stop worrying about things you really can't do anything about?
What needs less attention and what needs more attention in your home?
What would your life look like if you released all your self-doubt?
And there are another 998 like that!
Ask and You Will Succeed: 1001 Extraordinary Questions to Create Life-Changing Results
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 02/18/2012)
Mitch Newman says, "I have been utilizing Ken's book in my private practice and in my personal relationships from the moment I received it. Ken inherently understands the value of asking empowering questions and how effective the process is in helping others cut through the mental clutter to reach their own inspiring conclusions. His questions move us beyond the story of who we think we are into who we are destined to become."
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"This book helps to fight the battle of poverty thinking." Jack Canfield
Simple Abundance
Sarah Ban Breathnach
This is a love it or hate it kind of book - the reviews seem to pan out at 90% 5 stars and 10% 2 stars or less.
I love it. It is gentle, heartwarming and gives you a little nudge forwards rather than a violent shove.
Simple Abundance is a series of essays by Sarah Ban Breathnach, mostly written, she says, from her bed. There is one essay for each day of the year, loosely connected to the month and season. The author writes about creating simplicity in one's life, from practical tasks, such as paring down your wardrobe to more soul-reviving projects like abandoning the need to be perfect and enjoying the best chocolate and most passionate kisses (you needn't bother wondering which I prefer).
Just looking for a pertinent quote to share with you and, luckily, the previous owner of the book has kindly highlighted a few for me (she must have known I'd be needing them)...
"We can stop waiting for life to become perfect and start working with what we've got to make it as satisfying as we can. We can accept, bless, give thanks, and get going. Today we can begin to call forth riches from our everyday life. Today we can move from lack to abundance."
Absolutely!
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy
Amazon Price: $7.26 (as of 02/18/2012)
Barbara Tako, Speaker & Author of Clutter Cle... says, "Simple Abundance nurtures and inspires us to dream and to create. I first read this book several years ago. While reading books is often entertaining or educational, reading this book was almost a life experience. Sarah Ban Breathnach encourages and invites us to step outside ourselves, explore, and break old routines.
I love that the book is divided into daily meditations. It makes change more manageable for busy people! I appreciate all of the resources that I could follow for additional information on topics that interested me. This book is unique. If you are thinking about getting it, I say "Go for it! This is one you'll want to own so you can revisit it."
"I was a woman in desperate need of Simple Abundance." Sarah Ban Breathnach
Teach Your Own
John Holt
We think that, in 'normal' terms our girl would be classed as 'unteachable'. She does not want information unless she asks for it. If I try to impose teaching, she has none of it. I tried to teach her to read when she was 4 and 5 - it always ended in tears - usually mine. So I gave up.
John Holt describes a situation where he was having a lovely time reading to a three year old. As he was doing so he had the idea of moving his finger along the line of text in the hope of sparking some kind of learning experience in the child. He says, "It didn't take the child long to figure out that what had begun as a nice, friendly, cosy sharing of a story had turned into something else, that her project had by some magic turned into my project. After a while and without saying a word, she reached up a hand, took hold of my hand and very gently moved it off the page and down by my side -- where it belonged. I gave up 'teaching' and went back to doing what I'd been asked to do, which was to read the story."
This is exactly what I have experienced with my daughter -- "Don't try to teach me how to spell a word, just give me the spelling like I asked you to." and "I asked you a question so why don't you answer it -- I didn't ask for all that extra information you are trying to force upon me." Okay, she doesn't actually use those exact words but you get the picture.
By the age of 7 she was reading like an adult, constructing perfect sentences - complete with correct capitalization and punctuation. No, I don't know how she learned either. I do know that she learned because she wanted to or needed to. And that's the way it works - the same way as you or me. We choose to learn the things we are interested in and enthusiastic about.
John Holt's methods of educating children are primarily child-led, there is no 'teaching' going on. I wouldn't have thought it possible ten years ago but, it's true, children do not need to be taught - anything. When they are read to learn, they will ask.
I do wonder had we made a different choice whether our daughter would now be an under-achiever. Or difficult. Or labelled. Or maybe if her love of discovering new ways of doing things and then doing them her way would have been squelched. In any case, I am deeply grateful to John Holt (rest his soul) for giving me the confidence to trust my kids to take charge of their own education.
Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book Of Homeschooling
Amazon Price: $9.20 (as of 02/18/2012)
IntegrityLee says, "This single book completely transformed our family's plan for educating our child. After 3 years of perfectly normal, traditional (private and public) schooling, the light bulb went off and we are now embarking on the incredible journey of homeschooling. John Holt speaks such truth, and reminds us that all human beings are born naturally curious, wanting and able to learn. Imagine the potential of our world if each child spent 11,000 hours out in the real world, hungrily soaking up all that life has to offer, instead of sitting all day, being fed information to regurgitate with no apparent and immediate relation to their needs, their interests or their lives. Holt reminds us that "school" is a relatively new invention, and that earlier generations who could not only write exquisitely, invent, create, build and lead, were all schooled at home. Holt also helps every parent who has ever said "I could never homeschool my children" rethink the entire idea of being "the teacher". Rather, every parent can assume the role of "facilitator"... simply providing access, resources and examples... and watching the miracle of natural human development take off on its own. Take the journey. You will never look back."
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"Many people who quite like and enjoy children still seem to be in the grip of the old idea that in civilizing them we have to give up or destroy some important part of them." John Holt
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain:
A Course in Enhancing Creativity and Artistic Confidence
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: A Course in Enhancing Creativity and Artistic Confidence
Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 02/18/2012)
I first got hold of the original edition of this book in a library sale. My copy was tattered and well-read, but I fell in love with the techniques. I later lost the book during one of a series of house moves. Two years ago I was inspired to purchase this new edition and fell in love with it all over again. I love books that show you what you CAN do For artists and non-artists alike.
You never know until you try!
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Got a favourite inspiring book?
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WildFacesGallery
Jul 31, 2010 @ 9:03 am | delete
- I've got a couple of these but never heard of the others. Thanks for the reviews. I think The Field looks quite interesting.
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MeltedRachel
Jul 30, 2010 @ 3:00 am | delete
- Had to favourite this one so I could come back and remember these books! Thanks so much for the reviews :)
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Pauline Adams
Jul 29, 2010 @ 11:39 am | delete
- Yes I have. The most inspirational book I have ever read and I have read many, but it has to be The Vortex http://www.squidoo.com/who-are-abraham-hicks This book is guaranteed to change your life for ever in every way that you want and it tells you how to do it...and it's soooo easy.
Your lenses are an inspiration too 5*
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Heather426
Jul 29, 2010 @ 10:33 am | delete
- Great books here! Lensrolled to my lens: Tour of My Bookcase
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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
Natalie Goldberg
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within (Shambhala Library)
Amazon Price: $10.84 (as of 02/18/2012)
Part writing guide, part Zen philosophy, and part personal diary, this book has the smooth, fast flow of a conversation with a good friend who, while struggling with her own writing, has picked up more than a few tips that she eagerly shares. Definitely not another ``how to write better themes'' or a rehash of the writing process, Goldberg's short, quirky chapters give the finer points of how to write in a restaurant and why bother to write at all.
How Children Learn
How Children Learn (Classics in Child Development)
Amazon Price: $7.55 (as of 02/18/2012)
"Children do not need to be made to learn," Holt maintains, because each is born with what Einstein called "the holy curiosity of inquiry." For them, learning is as natural as breathing. First published in 1967, How Children Learn has become a classic for parents and teachers, providing an "effective, gentle voice of reason" (Life).
Ask and it is Given
Esther & Jerry Hicks
Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires
Amazon Price: $15.75 (as of 02/18/2012)
"This is, plain and simply, one of the most powerful books I have ever read. One's entire life can change because of what is found here." - Neale Donald Walsch.
