Oh books, how I love thee! If a magic genie came along, took away my responsibilities and told me that I could spend the rest of my days reading – I’d surely pass on at a ripe old age with a stack of books still waiting to be read.
My love affair with reading began later in life. I was always a science girl – preferring Aububon guides to “real” books. In High School, I happily enrolled in honors math and science classes, but said no thanks to honors english – which completely bewildered my guidance counselor. It appears I turned out okay – despite this “radical” decision.
Although my list of favorite books is quite extensive, there are a few that have had a marked impact on my life. You know, the kind of read that stirs the soul and inspires you to want to be a better person.
Will these books change your life? I can’t say. What I can say is that progress happens when we take full responsibility for ourselves. Own your life and don’t play victim. Blaming others will only keep you stuck.
- “Imagine your own death. Even though we might not like to think about it, there is nothing we can do to prevent it. It’s inevitable. Picture the engraving on your tombstone after decades of sticking with your current routine. On your tombstone is a single paragraph about the life you led. It talks about your personality, your accomplishments and contributions, your missteps and failings. What’s it going to say? If you keep doing what you’re doing, are you going to like what it says? What don’t you like? What do you like? What becomes your life story? We are talking about your legacy, your mark on the world.”
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living – Dale Carnegie
- “When we hate our enemies, we are giving them power over us: power over our sleep, our appetites, our blood pressure, our health, and our happiness.”
- “Let’s not allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. Remember life is too short to be little.”
- “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn – Betty Smith
- “Forgiveness is a gift of high value. Yet its cost is nothing.”
- “People always think that happiness is a faraway thing,” thought Francie, “something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up; a place of shelter when it rains – a cup of strong hot coffee when you’re blue; for a man, a cigarette for contentment; a book to read when you’re alone – just to be with someone you love. Those things make happiness.”
The Gifts of Imperfection – Brene Brown
- “The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.”
- “We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.
- “Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.”
- “We’re a nation hungry for more joy: Because we’re starving from a lack of gratitude.”
Happy reading.
XOXO ~Robyn