By Elisheba Akalawu
With a full moon just around the corner, we are entering a period of new energy and with that, we should be adopting new self-care rituals. One of my favorite things to indulge in, in the name of self-care, are books that aim to open the mind to a new way of thinking about, and approaching life. It can sometimes feel as though we are alone in our thoughts and that can be a daunting place for most people. However, these books give a refreshing outlook on life and are never lacking in worldly wisdom.
The following selection is perfect if you’re in a place where you’re seeking change, needing a pick-me-up, or wanting to feel secure in the journey that you are taking. So whether you’re a kindle commuter or a paper-back bath relaxer, any one of these books is deserving of your attention, and it just might change your life!
The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod
Few stories are as inspiring as Hal Elrod’s. Suffering a life-changing accident at the age of 20 and a brutal business blow during the 2008 economic downturn, Elrod never wanted life to defeat him, so he dedicated just one hour in the morning to defeat the struggles of life instead. His philosophy and outlook on life are so inspiring and does more than just encourage you to evaluate your thinking, but also how you’re living your life. What is the one thing you’ve always wanted to do, but never dared to do so because of unnecessary fears? Start from there and using his 6 easy-to-implement steps, you’ll find you’ve got more energy, motivation, and focus to take your life to the next level.
The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
Our mind is our most powerful tool and when we learn how to use it correctly, our lives can only get better — this is what Eckhart Tolle wants us to achieve. By transforming our thinking we lead the path to living more joyously in the right now. There’s a lot of interesting information and inspirational ideas packed into this book, that even offers readers a “break time” which encourages reflection and appreciation so that you can take in the most valuable bits. Definitely worth a read if you’re feeling intimidated by what the future holds and want a clear and accessible book offering some wisdom.
Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color, Iyanla Vanzant
In an easy to read, message- a-day format, Acts of Faith offers healing and redevelopment to readers. Each day is an inspirational passage which is to guide those (particularly people of color) toward their goals with a specific focus on four key relationships: the one we have with ourselves, the relationship with the world, our relationship with our peers and our relationship with money. With kind words and powerful meditations, this book can help you through your darkest days, give you hope and teach you valuable lessons to uplift you in all areas of your life.
The Secret, Rhonda Byrne
Now, this is the mother of spiritual self-help books, seriously even Oprah is a massive fan! The Secret is based on a belief in ‘The Law of Attraction’ which teaches that what we think turns into reality. Therefore if we constantly have negative thoughts, we attract negative situations and the same vice versa. It may not be an exact science, but the philosophy behind it is amazing. By acknowledging your thoughts and being aware of what you put out into the universe, you ultimately have the power to achieve anything you put your mind to (literally!)
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
A great novel that has finding your destiny at the center, The Alchemist is a fictional account of a young boy who goes in search for a treasure he keeps dreaming about. It’s a magical story with a philosophy that is all about listening to our hearts, following our gut feelings, and essentially, to never stop chasing our dreams. If overt self-help books are not your thing, then this one is for you!
The Game of Life and How to Play It, Florence Scovel Shinn
With a strong moral grounding in the teachings of the Bible, this spiritual handbook has been in print since 1925 and has appealed to readers and seekers from all walks of life! It’s an entertaining and thought-provoking meditation on what exactly it is that we are striving for in life, through the use of personal anecdotes and examples from clients of the author. It is abundant in powerful affirmations and guidelines on how best to utilise our thoughts to create better actions. Not for the spiritually faint-hearted as there are many references to the Bible but still a really good read if you want to discover and connect with your personal power.
The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz
If you have certain habits that you’ve always attributed to ‘well that’s just the way I am’ and they’re starting to become problematic, then this book is for you! This guide to personal freedom challenges you to face the source of self-limiting beliefs that trap us in a miserable cycle of needless suffering. By implementing the four agreements you go through a period of unlearning damaging behaviors and move forward with a powerful code of conduct that transforms your life into one of new experiences, true happiness, love, and freedom!
You are a Badass, Jen Sincero
Self-help doesn’t have to be so serious as this book will show you! Jen entertainingly muses on how only we have the power to change our circumstances once we realize we are destined for great things. Her sassy advice is an accumulation of stories that will have you crying good tears, easy exercises, and affirmations for days! The time to start living the best version of yourself is now and there are no excuses here, only solutions to get you creating a life you love fully, an understanding of who you are, and how to use Source to your advantage.
