One of the most wonderful parts of life is that we all have the power to dive into beautiful books and be transformed. No matter how stressful life can become, we're offered the gift of finding a quiet space and immersing ourselves in other worlds and modes of thought.
As a writer, from a young age I've been prone to diving into literature with joy and have been partially shaped by some amazing writers. In my mind, there are a number of books that literally have the power to help transform the way you experience both reality and possibility.
I'm hoping you'll enjoy the following reads as much as I have. Just be prepared to never look at the world the same after reading them.
As a Man Thinketh
This is an old book that is full of wisdom. This wisdom is so powerful that it can completely change what you think of your existence and may even completely reframe how you see the world at large.
It was written by James Allen in 1903 and begins with the words: "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he, not only embraces the whole of a man's being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life."
In other words, we are all exactly what we conceive in our own minds, and these thoughts extend to everything that we do and everything we become.
I remember reading these words when I was about 22-years-old. My mom had an old, tattered version of the book that I had seen for my entire life. Little did I know that opening it up and reading it humble words would completely change the trajectory of my life. I realized that my own limited thought patterns didn't have to exist anymore. I was freer than I ever knew.
I won't share any more than this, but I STRONGLY suggest that you read it!
A Return to Love
I'll never forget the moment I finished A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson. It was such a profound and heart warming read for me that I was a bit sad it was all over.
The reason? I needed so badly at that time to return to myself — to rediscover what makes me tick again. Reveling in her words was so amazing for my soul and I'm thinking it may be for yours as well.
The Alchemist
This is a tale about following your dreams and living out your destiny with passion. It's an easy read, but so profound and inspiring. The main character Santiago goes on a trek of a lifetime to find his purpose and true love.
One of my favorite passages reads: “And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
This and numerous other parts of the story made me think deeply about why I was put on this planet and how I can dig down deep inside to bring my purpose to the forefront.
Siddhartha
Siddhartha is the story of Buddha written from a somewhat creative perspective. It really takes you into the mindset of what it means to live mindfully and with intention.
For me, it opened my mind and played a huge role in shaping the way I see the world today.
Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Peaceful Warrior is a complete life game-changer. It walks you through a process (in the form of a powerful tale) of getting into the now and learning how to master your mind.
I personally think every human being should read this masterpiece. It's one of the most powerful allegories for helping you learn to grasp the moment, the significance of being human, and how you can overcome your limited thought patterns and grow by leaps and bounds.
Last Words
These five books only scratch the surface! There are so many powerful stories that are transformational. In the coming weeks, we're going to be diving into many more.
Have any books you'd like to share? Please share in the comments section below!
