Fueling My Mind & Feeding My Soul: My Favorite Reads of 2016
The theme of this current season in my life is geared toward strengthening my mind. As I have embarked on this journey, I am realizing that my brain very well may be the weakest part of my body. What’s my current technique to fuel my mind and feed my soul? Make sure that I am pouring in thoughts that challenge me to grow and surrounding myself with positive energy as much as possible.
Now, it is definitely easier said than done and I personally have had several slip-ups on this journey but when that happens I just re-adjust, reset, and connect with someone that can talk some sense into me and help me get back on the right wavelength. You see, knowing your limitations, weaknesses, and having a plan is essential.
Part of the readjusting and resetting process often times involves diving into a good read in an effort to realign my thoughts and focus on how I can make a change in my situation. These four books have been so essential to me surviving 2016, some I have read three to four times just to really get and apply the message. Now I know that these books were written by regular people just like you and me. I also know that you shouldn’t take everything you read as fact. But, opening your mind and applying a dose of your own common sense can be the perfect formula to jumpstart a better mindset that may just result in a better life - if you let it.
So, let’s get into the four books that fueled my mind and fed my soul in 2016.
This is an extremely short read with a great number of gems which is one of it’s many selling points. The reality is that we are always receiving negative thoughts from outside sources and even from ourselves. So, in order to reverse those effects it is important that we learn how to tackle those “mind monsters” from the inside out. Kevin Gerald will help you do that, all while giving you a biblical perspective on how to avoid self sabotage and allowing circumstances to affect what’s truly for you.
The Year of “Yes” by Shonda Rhimes
I am a definite TGIT girl so when I heard that Shonda Rhimes had written a book I absolutely had to take a peek. I love her fresh perspective on how to focus on the positive and get rid of those excuses that keep you in your comfort zone in order to develop as a person and discover the best version of yourself. Anxiety and self-doubt are a mother...you know the rest. Her transparency helps the reader understand the concept that you never know what people are really dealing with no matter what things look like on the outside. The best part is that if you are dedicated to changing your mindset, you really can take steps towards changing your life.
One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life by Kerry and Chris Shook
I am a journaling queen! So, give me a book that has daily tasks, is not overwhelming, gives me “tweetable” gems and I am in heaven! This book asks you to look at what exactly you would change in your life if you only had 30 days to live. I do not mean the tasks you would complete, but how would you LIVE. How would you treat people? How would you spend your time? I love the reflection that this read brought on and I love the fact that you can’t get lost in it because you have to take it a day at a time and actually DO THE WORK.
If you have seen the movie ‘War Room’ then you are familiar with the leading lady who is also the author of this book. This read isn’t for everybody - let me start by being transparent with that. It is definitely geared to those who are serious about their spiritual walk and in a place where they DESPERATELY need change. The author states that this can be for every woman in preparation for their season of “family life” but I kind of disagree. I would personally recommend this book for mothers, married women, or women in a serious relationship but that is just my opinion. I love that this book is interactive and geared toward helping you to create your own “war room.”
I think these reads would be a great way to start the new year and would be great gifts of “growth” for your friends and family. Who doesn’t want to give the gift of growth? These are not “fix it” reads but they can/will definitely help you to reflect and refocus, which we all need sometimes whether we are willing to admit it or not! Happy reading! Drop some of your favorite reads from this year in the comment area! I am in the process of getting my book wish list together for 2017!