"The first thing that reading teaches us is how to be alone." Jonathan Franzen
Books. If I had to take just one thing with me on a desert island, books would be the thing. I asked my mom once if I had always been an avid reader and thankfully she said yes. I always had a book in my hand and my nose in between the pages, escaping to different worlds whenever I wanted.
Whenever I need to escape the chatter that lives inside my head, I pick up a book (I always have at least three on hand), find a comfortable spot in the house or outside, and dive in. I don't read to escape the reality of the world or my life, because no amount of reading can ever do that. Instead, I read to learn, to build my imagination and creativity, to be inspired by the writings of those who amaze me, and to transcend my thoughts.
There have been many books I have read that have changed my life, but today's post focuses on the well-being of the soul and the self-help books I have read that I continue to pick up for refreshment. For me, self-help books only help if you let them and if you take what you read to heart. I must admit that I've read several of these books and have not been open to most of them. But recently I've allowed my ego to take a back seat which has given me the chance to let help in.
If you are looking for any self-help books, here are four that I would recommend in no particular order.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is not your typical self-help book. It has been one of the best purchases of my life and something that has forever stayed in my heart. Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon when in September of 2006, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A year later, when his diagnosis became terminal, Pausch wrote and then gave, his Last Lecture speech to students and staff at CMU. Each year, CMU would choose a professor to give a lecture should they only have one day left to live. Pausch's reflections on life, love, and death, proved to be more than just inspiring. This book saved me when I needed it and it continues to save me, even when I don't need saving. Although Randy died in 2008, his lecture still lives on and continues to inspire.
To watch his speech,
click here! I promise you it won't disappoint.
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero speaks for itself. Sincero's humor, wit, and authenticity shine on page in this remarkably funny and honest book. Many self-help books I have read don't make me laugh. In retrospect they always make me question (more so than I would like) myself. Laughter truly is the key to happiness and in this wonderful gem of a book, Jen Sincero will not only make you laugh with chapters such as, Your Brain Is Your Bitch or Fear Is For Suckers, but she will also make you question all the things you have let get in your way. The truth is is that she, like most of the world, has had to question her life and character, and whether or not she was happy with an "just okay" dialogue. Instead, this book shines the light on why we get in our own way and how to simply, get your head out of your ass.
I have never shied away from the truth that I suffer from anxiety. To be quite honest, I fucking loathe it. Nonetheless however, I have learned to live with it in all its glory. When you have anxiety there is nothing worse you can do for yourself than to deny that you have anxiety. So when I found
My Age of Anxiety by Scott Stossel, I felt like I had found my long lost twin. The only difference is that the type and level of anxiety that Scott has is far beyond anything I have ever felt, much less could ever understand. Instead of you run of the mill self-help, this is a true memoir of struggling with something our society still finds hard to accept. In it, Stossel's details and imagery of his daily life not only breaks your heart, but also makes you appreciate all that you have so much more. I owe it to him for opening my eyes to my own anxiety and for finally being able to admit to myself, that it is okay.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert changed me. I recently finished this book and then processed everything I took in. Two days later I recreated this blog, got over myself, and started writing again. As someone who has always lived in fear, this book found me at just the right moment. Gilbert forces you to admit your shortcomings and why you aren't where you want to be in your creative life. She does not sugarcoat anything and admits her own mistakes, and paints the most honest picture of what it is like to be a creative person and not use it for your own good. Everything in the world could go to shit, but one thing is for certain, I will always love to write. That creative streak in me lives in my blood and this book helped me to realize that even more. Because of
Big Magic, I want to write and be a writer for the rest of my life. I don't look to the future on what my writing can provide me, just how it allows me to truly live.
Look, I'm not here to tell you how to live. Your life is your business, as mine, is mine. But I can say one thing for sure. If you are ever needing to figure shit out and don't feel like talking to someone, don't be embarrassed by browsing through the self-help aisle. I can guarantee that you will not be the only one seeking them out. Some of the best advice I have ever received is through these books and because of them, I am able to seek the advice of those I love most, whose value is so much more.
Peace and light, always,
Kim
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