Inspirational Books You Shouldn't Live Without

I always feel a bit of a slump when October hits. Everything in my life seems to slow down and even my internal speedometer starts dipping below full pace. Is that just me, or do we all experience this kind of life-slump? Let's operate on the "it's only me" assumption, and let's just say that you were in the audience last Saturday hearing Elizabeth Gilbert speak about "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear." What you would have walked away with was the feeling that fear is a terrible passeneger in your life. The worst part about it is that no matter how hard you try, fear will always be in the car. You just have to get in the drivers seat every day and tell fear "I am driving today, so get in the motherf*%$#@ng back seat." I have sat in the passenger seat while fear drove my car around. Of course I didn't realize I was doing that, no one willingly lets fear drive their car around, but I was. I was awestruck listening to Elizabeth (yes, we are on a first-name basis...get over it) because I was hit with a "Yep. My God, yes. She knows me. She is boring holes into my skull with this fear stuff." I am going to be brave in spite of myself, and stubborn in my gladness. If you haven't already had a chance to pick up a copy of Big Magic, I recommend it.

In the arena of life, it isn't about how many times you get knocked down, bruised and battered as it may be...but that you keep getting up and going in to the arena knowing exactly what it is that you are about to face. I mean holy sh*$! Your area can be big, your arena may be small, but get your as in there and fight. Nothing in this world that was ever worth anything came to you easily. We have all had to fight for what we knew, somewhere deep in the depths of our souls that we deserved. We all deserve contentedness, and some of us have to fight a lot harder than others for it. Keep the fight going my friends. We will rise...though it may from ashes like Phoenix, we shall rise!

I hope this post has helped inspire you. You are brave. You are strong. You are worthy. You are enough.

Happy Reading!

Rising Strong

Rising Strong by Brene Brown

Penguin Random House Audio

This audio has been one of the best books I have listened to in a very long time. I know it may have made me seem crazy to the people driving or walking near me, but I found myself nodding over and over again at the words spoken by the author. In just the title, the word rumble jumps out at me. Of late, rumbles have been my M.O. One thing I can hang my hat on is that I have always gotten up from the rumble and continued to fight. In this newest book, Brene revisits vulnerability and what it means in our lives. When you dare to be vulnerable, you are, on a daily basis, volunteering to get your butt kicked by people. The truth is, if vulnerability is part of your life, you will inevitably get knocked down. Life cannot always be sunshine and stars. 

But, it is not so much about getting knocked down, but in showing up every day to be in the arena. Large or small, the arena is the test of strength. In theory, we show up to the "arena" every day. I feel like being vulnerable has allowed me to walk away the victor in the arena. I have been taking steps to put myself out there, and to be honest and open and to share some of what I have with others. Has that always made me feel accepted? Hell no! I feel like I have been virtually hit...hard. I would be lying if I said I did not feel bedraggled by life, and all of the troubles I have recently faced. But you know what? I am so much stronger than I ever thought I was. The appropriate timing of this audio has provided a perfect ointment for the bumps and bruises of my life. Many thanks for the audio. I highly encourage you to get it for yourself. 

Happy listening!