Self-improvement Book List

I’m all about self-improvement. I’ve learned that there’s a reason we’re the way we are and that we can change the things we don’t like about ourselves. Here is a list of books that I’ve read along the way that have changed me for the better. They may be of use to you or they may not, but I thought I’d pass them along. I’ll update this list as new books arise.

1. Healing Your Aloneness: Finding Love and Wholeness Through Your Inner Child by Erika J. Choich and Margaret Paul. Ever feel like you NEED to be around people? Do you need other people’s approval to feel good about yourself? This book is amazing. It him home in so many different ways. After reading this I felt strong. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted and I felt happier than I had in a very long time.
2. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book by Don Miguel Ruiz. The writing is a little strange and some of his wording rubbed me the wrong way, but the message…the message is so important. The one that hit home the most was “not to take anything personally”. I’ve really been able to look at someone who’s not treating me very nicely and say “that’s their issue, not mine”.  I’m not saying if you’re acting like a complete dick that it’s the other person’s fault, but in general when someone comes at you for no obvious reason, it’s something going on inside THEIR head. It helps you to not care what others are thinking of you. And once you achieve that, you can completely be yourself.
3. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Pocketbook Guide to Fulfilling Your Dreams (One Hour of Wisdom) by Deepak Chopra. Want to feel “zen-like” and live a more peaceful life? Read this book. Do it!
4. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. This became a phenomenon when the writers were guests on Oprah. It talks a lot about the law of attraction. It’s good because you get into the habit of verbalizing what’s good in your life. The more you say it the more you feel it. Even something as simple as “I’m thankful for the sun that rises every day”. At least for me, it helps. I found myself walking around with a smile on my face. Honestly peaceful.
5. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose (Oprah’s Book Club, Selection 61)by Eckhart Tolle. When they say this book will change your life, they’re not kidding. If you’re ready for it, it will. If you read it and think “huh, I don’t really get it” then you’re not ready for it and you don’t need it at this time. For me this book gives detailed instructions on how to live in the now. How to appreciate the journey. How to let go of past demons. How to pause that constant movie/dialogue in my mind. How to stop reliving the past and anticipating the future. And the biggest epiphany for me out of this book was to find that I was confusing my relationship with my identity, which it is not. Once I realized that, I was able to let go of the neediness and just enjoy the relationship, instead of always being fearful that I’d lose it and in turn lose my identity. I finally feel free in that way. Another must-have for anyone looking for peace, happiness and the knowing of their essense.
6. The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by The Arbinger Institute. Learn to see people as people rather than objects. Learn compassion and choose peace.
7. No One’s the Bitch: A Ten-Step Plan for the Mother and Stepmother Relationship by Jennifer Newcomb Marine and Carol Marine. For those of you who are in the role of “step-mom” or if you’re a bio-mom dealing with your ex-husband’s new wife, this book is a necessity! The authors of this book are a mom/step-mom team who got over their issues for the sake of the kids and wrote a book together. Learn what the other person is thinking and feeling. Learn how to move past the insecurities that have made people think a step-mom and mom SHOULD hate each other. Learn how to become friendly with the “other woman” and leave the stress behind.