It’s that time of year…
Over the years I have read a self-help book here and there but I recently found that this was not effective for me. I needed to read with intention so last year I researched and selected books that had a common theme (I choose a word for the year), all chosen to help me reach a goal.
This year my word/goal was “overcome.” I chose books to help me better understand the “why” of my past. I’ll share this post in my stories.
For 2022 my theme is going to be “relearn” (I’m still working on a word, suggestions welcome). Because of my past happiness, joy, and calmness does not come easily for me. My neural pathways are set to fight or flight much of the time so I chose books that can help me make new, healthier pathways.
This year a handful of people reached out and wanted to read a few along with me in private and I loved working on myself while also having insightful chats about the books. If you see one you’d be interested in, I’d love to read with you, publicly or privately.
Have you read any of these? If you choose are word for your year ahead, have you chosen yours?
Here’s a brief summary of each: The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu Tells the story of 2 spiritual giants, Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu and how they achieve lasting happiness in this ever-changing world. Truth is, most people misunderstand what Joy really means. It is far deeper than just wealth, fame, recognition and material possessions.
In An Unspoken Voice: How the Bo Releases Trauma & Restores Goodness by Peter Levine Based on the idea that trauma is neither a disease nor a disorder, but rather an injury caused by fright, helplessness and loss that can be healed by engaging our innate capacity to self-regulate high states of arousal and intense emotions.
Radial Acceptance by Tara Brach Radical acceptance has two pillars: learning to observe our experience clearly and how to be compassionate towards that experience.
Conquer Your Critical Voice by Robert Firestone, Lisa Firestone, Joyce Catlett The inner critic is the voice in our heads that whispers, whines, and needles us into poor self-esteem and self-confidence. It edits our thoughts, controls our behavior, and inhibits our actions. It thinks it is protecting us from being hurt or feeling abandoned, but all it really does is reinforce our feelings of shame and guilt, sabotage our intimate relationships, and incline us to self-destructive behaviors.
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chdrn There is a fundamental opportunity for happiness right within our reach, yet we usually miss it ironically while we are caught up in attempts to escape pain and suffering. Drawn from traditional Buddhist wisdom, Pemas radical and compassionate advice for what to do when things fall apart in our lives goes against the grain of our usual habits and expectations.
Show Up For Yourself by Janet Philbin Healing is an inside-out job. Philbin combines Eastern philosophy with Western psychology to gently guide you as you give your inner child a voice you can finally hear. You will be able to observe the faulty thoughts, lies, stories, and fears that you’ve held dear for so long. In so doing, you will be placed at the start of a rewarding journey to healing.
Buddhism For Mothers by Sarah Napthali Addressing the often-overlooked spiritual needs of mothers, this book discusses Buddhist teachings as applied to the everyday challenges and stresses of raising children. Offered are ways for mothers to reconnect with their inner selves and become calmer and happierwith the recognition that a happier mother will be a better parent. This realistic look at motherhood acknowledges the sorrows as well as the joys of mothering and offers real and achievable coping strategies for mothers to renew their lives on a deep level.
Peace at Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh In the rush of modern life, we tend to lose touch with the peace that is available in each moment. World-renowned Zen master, spiritual leader, and author Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how to make positive use of the very situations that usually pressure and antagonize us.
Toni Rocchetti is a copy editor helping authors strengthen their narratives, deepen character arcs, and find the story that is already in the draft. She reads 80+ books a year across literary fiction, memoir, and nonfiction — and writes about what she is learning along the way. Work with Toni →
