From My Bookshelf to Yours – A Few Favorites

29 Apr

I decided to try something a little different.

I have TONS of personal development books and I thought, “why not share them with you?”

So I’m starting my new series, From My Bookshelf to Yours.

For today, I’ll place my reviews here as well as snippets from the books and a link for purchase. Everything you need to decide if you’d like it on your bookshelf as well. I may have a different format for future posts.
My first list of books (in no particular order) -

First in line:
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living Your Dreams by: Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield
This “tasty treat” is one of my favorite books. (Yes, the pun was intended…)

The cover gives it to you in a nutshell: “Inspirational Stories, Powerful Principles and Practical Techniques to Help You Make Your Dreams Come True.”

As with any “Chicken Soup” book, there are plenty of uplifting stories. But what you get with this book is a mixture of inspiration and practical “put into action now” advice.

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From page 15-16:

Cancel, Cancel

When you find yourself saying something negative and self-defeating to yourself, just stop and say “Cancel, cancel!”

That sends a message to your subconscious that you are rescinding the order you just sent down.

Then replace what you said with the positive alternative. Here’s an example:

“I just can’t seem to lose that last twenty pounds.” (Oops!)

“Cancel–Cancel! I can find a way to lose that last twenty pounds.”

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It’s a great read and I recommend it highly!

Next, we have:

365 Health and Happiness Boosters“>365 Health and Happiness Boosters by M. J. Ryan

This is what I would categorize as a “calendar book” with a suggestion for each day of the year. I choose to just flip it open and see where I land instead. M. J. Ryan is one of my favorite authors (you will see more reviews of her work…guaranteed) and with each uplifting and interesting page you just may find yourself like I did, thinking, “what a great idea!”

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From page 291:

Create Happiness Around You

I was reading some e-mails that had been forwarded to me today and came across a letter from a man named Larry Harp. He reflected on the priorities in his life, now that we are at the new millennium. One of them was, “I want [people] to be hpappier when I come into a room than when I leave.”

What a fabulous priority. I’m going to make it my pledge for the day. I’m not sure how I will do it, but I will keep the thought in the foreground of my consciousness and see what happens. How about you?

From page 214:

Walk in Dewy Grass

I love this suggestion. I found it in Chicken Soup and Other Folk Remedies by Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen. It is a remedy for fatigue, but I find it to be one of the swiftest happiness enhancers I know. Maybe because I love going barefoot so much, and the added bonus of wet grass is simply delicious.

If your access to dewy grass is limited, the Wilens suggest an alternative – “Next best thing is to carefully walk up and back in 6 inches of cold bathwater. Do it for 5 to 10 minutes in the morning and late afternoon.”

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Now I can’t say I’ve ever tried the bathwater idea (nor would I personally want to) but the dewy grass idea sounds like a great uplifting experience. The creating happiness idea is a keeper for sure!

Last but not least:

Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling“>Inspiration Your Ultimate Calling by: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Dr. Dyer delivers once again in his latest book. He always writes in a positive, uplifting manner and I seem to find myself shaking my head in agreement with his words.

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From page 102:

1.) Unclutter your life.

You’ll feel a real rush of inspiration when you clear our stuff that’s no longer useful in your life.

If you haven’t worn it in the past year or two, recycle it for others to use.
Get rid of old files that take up space and are seldom, if ever, needed.
Donate unused toys, tools, books, bicycles, and dishes to a charitible organization.

Get rid of anything that keeps you mired in acquisitions that contribute to a cluttered life. In the words of Socrates, “He is nearest to God who needs the fewest things.” So the less you need to insure, protect, dust, reorganize, and move, the closer you’ll be to hearing inspiration’s call.

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This is just the first of The 12-Step Program to Simplicity he recommends. You’ll find the others just as enlightening.

That’s it for today. I’ll pull other books down from time to time to share with you. Sometimes I’ll give reviews, other days, I’ll just add a list of some of my favorites or one’s I’m currently reading for your enjoyment.

Until next time… keep reading!