BOOKS THAT HELPED ME
For anyone who needs to hear this right now, please know that you can get through anything.
The key to surviving absolutely anything in life is knowing that you can.
Willingness & an open mind can take you a very long way in this life.
If you’re ready to do the hard work of healing, know I’m right there beside you.
Here’s some of the books that have helped me along the way if you’re interested.
I’ve made reading a part of my daily life because it helps me find my balance.
It’s important to note that you have to work at your own pace.
The healing journey is different for every one of us.
Start with what’s resonant….
Find a book that inspires you.
Get a highlighter. Highlight absolutely anything and everything that speaks to you in it.
Get some post it flags. Make note of what speaks to you so you can easily reference it later.
I like to divide books up with rainbow post its so I can accomplish my daily reading quota easier.
It helps me to stay on track but that’s just me. You do you.
Here’s just a few of the books that have helped me…
How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
This book changed absolutely everything about the way I love. I’d recommend it to anyone in the world. What’s great about this series of books is that it’s pocket sized. It’s easy to read one thought a day and meditate on it all day.
How to Fight by Thich Nhat Hanh
When you’re going through some hard battles, you’re going to need to learn how to fight for yourself with grace. Thay taught me how to firmly stand up for myself with dignity.
The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche
For weeks after Eric died, I poured my heart into this book. I think I highlighted 75 percent of it. If you’ve ever struggled with things left unsaid or seeing the continuation of a loved one, do yourself a favor and pick this up now.
Braving The Wilderness by Brene Brown
When your life changes dramatically, you need a guide to life. Brene is the savvy tour guide who will help you through the next phase of your life. A few weeks after Eric died, my dear friend Taryn took me to hear Brene speak for the launch of this book. She spoke about collective effervescence and had us all sing Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You” together as an audience to demonstrate the concept. I can’t tell you how much I need to feel that connection.
Rising Strong by Brene Brown
I listened to this on Audible and can’t recommend it enough. You best believe that I played this on repeat all through the fall of 2017. Anytime the shame of what I’d endured felt too heavy to bear, I pictured myself face down in the arena. Brene became my personal cheerleader inspiring me to get out of bed, take a shower and keep living my damn life.
Turn My Mourning Into Dancing by Henri Nouwen
I heard about this book on the Good Good Good Podcast (another great place to turn for inspiration) by Branden Harvey. He was interviewing Brandi Lea of Beauty for Ashes Uganda and she mentioned it. I picked it up expecting help with grief. What I found was even more profound. It was the key to forgiving the people I found hardest to forgive. He says something along the lines of “you can’t get mad at someone for not loving unconditionally because that means that you yourself aren’t able to”. You’ll have to read it yourself to find the actual quote. Wow though. I needed to hear that. Check it out.
To Shake The Sleeping Self by Jedidiah Jenkins
Another Audible favorite, I would recommend this book to anyone. If you’re struggling with finding your purpose or just yourself in life, check it out. I’ve been following Jed for ages on Instagram. He decided at 30 that he’d ride his bike from Oregon to Patagonia and write a book about it. When I listened to him talk about his experience, I decided right then and there to quit my job and move to Atlanta to write a book about my life. Thanks, Jed.
Come Matter Here by Hannah Brencher
If you’ve ever struggled with feeling lost, starting over in a new town or left out in any way, this one is a healing balm to the soul. Hannah asks that we keep showing up for life no matter what, trust that God has a beautiful plan for every one of us & encourages us to be the invitation we wish to seek. She’s a gift in this world and if you’re not following her on social media already, check her out now.
The Book of Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu
I wish everyone in the world would read this book. I wish I had read it sooner. I wish Eric had read it. If you have ever struggled to forgive anyone in your life, including yourself, please do yourself a favor and check this one out. It’s hands down the most powerful antidote to shame I have ever encountered.
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
Something that’s really surprised me since I started therapy and mindfulness is that a long list of physical ailments I used to suffer from daily have gone away. These days I don’t take any prescription or OTC medication. Just a lot of vitamins, daily affirmations and self love. When my mind gets out of balance, I always feel a cold coming on. I take a few essential oils, love myself well & it always subsides before it starts. I never really understood the connection until I read this book. Louise explains how it’s connected and lists out possible causes of most physical ailments. It’s fascinating & worth the read. I’m still working on getting the right balance for my mental health but I’m closer than I’ve ever been. This book is priceless to me for the amount of knowledge it contains.
If you’re interested, here’s a link to them all.
Happy Tuesday, y’all. Have a beautiful day. :)