Wellness and Self-Improvement Books discussion

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What books have enhanced your life?

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message 1: by Barry (new)

Barry J. (barrynorthern) | 14 comments Mod
My interest in life skills and self-help books began way back in the 90s with a set of tapes about emotional awareness and emotional intelligence using something called "the Sedona Method." Since then I've been affected and improved by many books that promote self-awareness and contain practical advice on techniques for leading a better life.

What books in the self-help / life-skills 'genre' have had a positive influence on your life?


message 2: by Marge (new)

Marge Simon | 6 comments My daughter bought "Fit for Life" years ago. I read it and I still try to adher to many of the suggestions for diet and times to eat, exercise, etc. Works for me!

The Prophet (Kahlil Gibran) also sustained me through some touch situations when I was younger.

I know these aren't on the Best Seller list (though the "diet" book was at one time.)


message 3: by Barry (new)

Barry J. (barrynorthern) | 14 comments Mod
Marge wrote: "I know these aren't on the Best Seller list (though the "diet" book was at one time.)"

Ah, but so many of these books are under the radar or not promoted much, or simply don't reach all the people they could help. That's partly why I set up this group -- so many thanks for sharing! :)


message 4: by Barry (new)

Barry J. (barrynorthern) | 14 comments Mod
Shannon wrote: "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and Its All Small Stuff completely changed my life. I've recommended this book to everyone who starts a conversation with me about books and reading."

Interesting. I've heard that phrase before in a computer programming advice book (of all things) -- it's an interesting principle that makes prioritising much easier. I'm intrigued that there's a whole book centering around it.


message 5: by Marge (new)

Marge Simon | 6 comments I've only heard the phrase, but thanks for the info on the book, Shannon.

More than once, I've had to pause (in a stressful situation and say "Well, it's not the end of the world." (And of course, the situation pales when you think that way.)

Another thing to think over (besides think before you speak) is when something important falls through, another door opens down the road, many times better. With that attitude, you can manage disappointments.

I'll be on look-out for books that might be helpful, too. So glad you started this, Barry!


message 6: by Marge (new)

Marge Simon | 6 comments Shannon, it would be great to know some of the things that "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" says..if you still have the book -- or if you can recall something in particular that helped your life after?


message 7: by Barry (new)

Barry J. (barrynorthern) | 14 comments Mod
Oh it's so wonderful to see how enthusiastic you are about this book, Shannon. I can see you want to share it with everyone -- I'd like to help you do that. This little group is one way -- do you have any ideas about how we could let more people know? It sounds like it's got some really useful advice and a nice perspective.


message 8: by Barry (new)

Barry J. (barrynorthern) | 14 comments Mod
Out of interest -- is this the same thing --> http://dontsweat.com/


message 9: by Louveda (new)

Louveda (d30morris) | 1 comments I am currently reading "The the right to innocence, healing the trauma of childhood sexual abuse." I'm only 30 pages in but so far it has struck a nerve. I would swear she wrote this book about me.


message 10: by Barry (new)

Barry J. (barrynorthern) | 14 comments Mod
Thank you for sharing, Louveda. I hope the book helps you.


message 11: by Olga (new)

Olga | 1 comments "Memo" by Oddbjørn By. This book saved my life! I was totally desperate before my language
exam. I needed to remember a lot of words and information. But
everything I tried to store inside my head just disappeared in few
days and I needed to learn it again and again. It was definitely easy
just to go and shoot myself. But friend of mine kindly stopped me and
recommended to read a book called “Memo”. It was so easy and
interesting and I decided to use this technique just for fun. I had a
long list of words I couldn't remember and tried to visualize every
word. It was really funny to place strange people and items to
different places!

It was the easiest way to solve my problem, I tried ones and still
using this method in different situations.


message 12: by Barry (new)

Barry J. (barrynorthern) | 14 comments Mod
I like that. You should google the "Mentat Wiki", there's loads of neat mind performance tricks you can learn there. I read a book by the man who runs the site called "Mind Performance Hacks", and learnt a really easy way to remember all of Shakespeare's tragedies which was just as amusing (I think I had Romeo and Juliet in the bath)


message 13: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer Conroy | 1 comments http://www.amazon.com/C.J.-Good/e/B00...

Hello, I am new to this group. I like the books by C.J. Good. They have helped me to understand that humans have a spectrum of feelings; love, joy, anger, difficulty, oppression, and it is OK to feel them all.

I learned that I can create my own truth, discover my own wisdom and find my own way of expression. I have learned to speak out and find my voice.

These books have unlocked the doors of "self" and have helped me to recover from some troublesome circumstances. I have also noticed that blocks to my creativity have been released.


message 14: by Barry (new)

Barry J. (barrynorthern) | 14 comments Mod
It's funny that no-one's mentioned one of the most well-known spiritual books of all time yet: the Holy Bible! Now I prefer to keep my own beliefs to myself, mainly because I'm always re-evaluating them and feel a strong need to stay open-minded, but no matter what your faith (or none), you can't deny that the good book contains a lot of human wisdom, life lessons, and examples of how to grow, love, and live a good life.

Despite my now largely secular approach to life there was a time in my youth when I read it every day. I got through it several times, and feel that I learned a lot, so it would be trite of me now to not mention the Bible, especially the new testament, most specifically the Gospels, as a book that has enhanced my life.


message 15: by Cozette (new)

Cozette | 2 comments Barry wrote: "My interest in life skills and self-help books began way back in the 90s with a set of tapes about emotional awareness and emotional intelligence using something called "the Sedona Method." Since t..."


message 16: by Cozette (new)

Cozette | 2 comments Barry,
This is the first time I have made any comments. One of the best self-help books that I have read was "The Art of Being a Woman Alone" by Florence Falk. This book would also serve to be helpful for men as well. Until I read this book, I found it very difficult to be alone. I wanted to share all of my experiences with someone else. I honestly did not feel as though I could enjoy doing anything by myself. This book taught me that being alone (which is different from being lonely) can be an enlightening experience in that you learn how to enjoy the serenity of being by yourself. It has become something I look forward to. It is now my "me" time, where I can be totally alone with my own thoughts.


message 17: by Paul (new)

Paul Lenda (paullenda) | 1 comments One of the easiest reads yet powerfully life-transforming books I've recently read was Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (and it's all small stuff). It truly makes you realize how silly it is for us to get all worked up about things and definitely a book I recommend.


message 18: by Heather (new)

Heather Rogers (heatherr211) | 1 comments I'm almost done reading Eckhart Tolle's book A New Earth. So far - fantastic! I'm learning so much from this book. I'd read some about the Ego, but this book explains it really well. Now I'm very aware of my ego and the go in others and how I react or don't react. Wonderful read.


message 19: by Jeffrey Fike (new)

Jeffrey Fike | 1 comments The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho help reinforce a lot of "lessons" learned early in life, and The Prophet also reminds me of how simple and beautiful life can be.


message 20: by Michelle (new)

Michelle Fitzgerald (nightxowl) | 1 comments Act like a lady, think like a man. It's really given me a.different perspective :) I definitely recommend it


message 21: by Susie (new)

Susie Brazeau (susiebrazeau) | 1 comments The Holy Bible. The only self-help book I have ever been able to depend on for real power to change my self and my life.


message 22: by Jeff (new)

Jeff T. | 1 comments My book has cured many from arthritis, psoriasis and several other ailments. It's a terrific self-help book for health problems.


message 23: by James (new)

James Mills | 1 comments The book that has made the biggest difference in my life has to be - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R Covey (who died very recently) based the book upon decades of success literature to uncover the timeless principles upon which his book is based. He adds a variety of stories from his personal life as well as working with corporate clients. It looks at people and situations in a very human way. The book significantly helped me with the way I see myself, friends, family, work colleagues etc. I believe that if there is one personal development book you need to master, then this is it!

I have been involved in growing and developing a leadership community based on the principles set out in the book. Studying and applying any decent personal development book in a mastermind setting will always make a significant difference to the amount of value you receive.

I have created a community "Celebrating Stephen Covey's Life & Legacy" on Goodreads to celebrate his work for those that are interested in connecting with others that want to become highly effective! :-)


message 24: by Suneel (new)

Suneel Dhand (SuneelDhand) | 1 comments I found the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin by Gretchen Rubin to be a great read.

Simply put, one modern New York mother's quest for happiness in a busy, hectic world. Interesting and very thought-provoking.

While I wouldn't necessarily call this a work that is necessarily life-changing for most people, it's application to real world issues and dilemmas is what makes it such a good book.


message 25: by Rossana (new)

Rossana Condoleo (rossana_condoleo) | 3 comments Hello,

I read "A woman of substance", by Barbara Taylor Bradford, at sixteen yrs of age. From that time on I started thinking Big. I read thousand novels, and psychology and sociology and economics and management books, but what "A Woman of substance" planted in me was the seed of self-confidence and the feeling that if you work hard for your dreams, they will come true, in every sphere of your life.
Yours
Rossana Condoleo
Author of "Happy Divorce" http://www.bit.ly/13ndjuI


message 26: by Tanny (new)

Tanny | 4 comments Yes thanks Shannon, I have added it to my to-read and wish lists.


message 27: by Tanny (new)

Tanny | 4 comments Marge, I found Fit for Life great too but I am not very good at staying disciplined. Then when I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease 18 months ago I started looking after my diet more but then when I was told by a Dr that because I had part of both intestines removed and other factors I don't absorb a whole lot from food and need to rely on vitamins I took that as a free pass to eat whatever I want - I'm so naughty! But thank you for mentioning the book, I'm going to get it out and dust it off to re-motivate myself! :-)


message 28: by Cristina (new)

Cristina Smith (cristina_smith) | 5 comments It's hard to pick just one book. So many books have helped me at different times of life.

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen was the first that came to mind. There is a free version available online.


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