Good afternoon Motivators!
Lately with the weather becoming colder and the amount of daylight dwindling I have been reading and spending a little more time exploring the great indoors! This inspired me to share the books that have helped me grow mentally and emotionally during this physical journey! You will find that there is a common thread that brings these books together and that is growth. Growth to me is what life is truly about at the center of it all. I hope these reads inspire you a little bit to grow and change in a way that moves you forward in your life, enjoy! **Side note these are not listed in any particular order, below each description is a link to my Amazon to purchase these awesome books!
1) You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero:
This was the first book I had ever read in the “self development” category and it was truly life changing for me! I’ve read multiple self development books in the last few years but You Are A Badass is by far my favorite! Why? Because it makes you feel like a badass, duh!! But really, it is a fun and easy guide to figure out why you are the way you are and how to help yourself change. It gave me the kick I needed to truly try and reach my potential and to realize even if I fail it’s better to have tried in anyway I can than spend my life doing something that is not right for me!
You Are A Badass How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living Your Life By Jen Sincero
2) The Book of Joy by: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, & Douglas Abrams:
I can’t tell you how much I love this book!! These two very affluential men are so kind, down to earth, and wise! The Book of Joy is about a week long meeting between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu who are old friends and their special relationship is so touching to read. The Book of Joy is written in an interview style where the two men are asked the toughest questions about, struggle, strength, happiness, and all the wonderful parts of the human experience. This book brought me to tears, gave me a prospective on the world I had never had before but most importantly reading it brought me some peace and I recommend it to anyone seeking a new prospective!
The Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with Douglas Abrams
3) #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso:
#Girlboss is an autobiography about the very spunky and inspiring Sophia Amoruso who went from a troublesome teenager to CEO of a $250-million fashion retailer! What I love about #Girlboss is Sophia’s blunt and non-sugar coated approach to writing about her life. There is no nonsense spoken in this book it’s real and really inspiring to anyone, not only women! While reading #Girlboss I laughed (a lot) and also was inspired to get my actual life together and move forward without excuses! If Sophia can do “it” homeless and broke, I can work toward my dreams and be a freaking girl boss! Read if you are even a little bit interested in working for yourself because #Girlboss is a very real insight on what it takes to move toward your goals or bring your dreams to life!
#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
4) The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking:
First of all the title of this book is difficult because hygge is a Danish word but it is pronounced HOO-GA and it has become my favorite word! Though most of these books are in the self development The Little Book of Hygge is different in the way that is a relaxing bedtime read. TLBH is about the Danish idea of life by definition hygge loosely translates as a sense of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. I believe learning about hygge and adopting the Danish way of happiness is extremely valuable to Americans. Our fast paced, go-go-go way of life is making us so disconnected to one another. The Little Book of Hygge is a good reminder of what truly makes humans happy, and that is closeness, relationshipss that are genuine and true. It offers tools on how to bring hygge into your life and like I said its an easy, cozy (who would have thought) read before bed or on a rainy/snowy sunday afternoon.
The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
5) Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson, PH.D. & Richard Mendius, MD:
Last but certainly not least is Buddha’s Brain. This book was recommended to me by a client who is just as interested in biology and the brain as I am so I decided to give it a read. I will warn you this is not a bedtime read Buddha’s Brain truly deserves your full attention and I am actually reading it for the 3rd time! This book really offers a neurological perspective on emotions which are often ignored or written off as irrational. Buddha’s brain describes the physical effect our emotions play on our bodies and offers a science based explanation for these emotions. On top of these well organized science based explanations Buddha’s Brain acts almost as a work book to help you work though your troubling or repetitive emotions. I loved reading this book, it excited the biology nerd inside of me and helped me quite my head enough to help my mediation practice for a little more peace and who would have though growth!
Buddha’s Brain by Rich Hanson, PH. D. with Richard Mendius, MD
I hope you with the cold weather headed our way you will take sometime to relax, develop mentally, emotionally, and grow in all the beautiful ways transformation comes about! I personally already have my winter reads ready to go and will up date you soon on how that is going!
Until next time brainiacs!
Stay Motivated,
Alicia💛