I'm a sucker for "self-help" type books. The problem is that now-a-day so many of them are nothing more than New Age clap-trap and are very dangerous to one's spiritual life.
I was not overly optimistic when I checked out "The Courage to be Brilliant", by Marta Monahan from the library. The title sounded a bit fishy, but the price was right. I have found it to be a very simple to read and quite inspiring book and would highly recommend it to anyone. Check to see if they have it at your library or grab a copy from Amazon (they have used ones starting at $1.91.)
From Amazon:
Have you ever believed that you can do more, be more, or have more? Do you see flashes of your lost brilliance in the accomplishments of others? Are you hiding your truth simply to keep the peace?At any given time I am usually reading four of five books. Each day I try to read something "intellectual" (usually history or politics), spiritual, self-improvement (which really can be the same as spiritual), and for fun there is always mysteries or novels. I just started Jane Smiley's new book, "Private Lives", and it looks like it will be as good as A Thousand Acres, for which she won a Pulitzer Prize.
If so, The Courage to be Brilliant is just for you. Marta Monahan, one of the USA's leading voices on personal achievement, shares her secrets for avoiding the dullness that comes from settling for less. Her Five Acts of Improvement begin working the moment you try them.
You will also discover:
• What holds you back and clouds your purpose
• The Three Levels of Thought and how they affect your actions
• How to develop your unique Five Acts of Improvement to alter the course of your life
• Why radical changes never work
• What to do if you cannot envision a life of brilliance
7 comments:
Thanks, Adrienne. I'm a sucker for self-help books, too. Lord knows I have a LIBRARY filled with them. ha! Anyway, glad you recommend that one. Have a peaceful night. Susan
Thanks for both the garden tips and book ideas. I just started Stephen King's Under The Dome. I'm not too impressed. Lots of gore and sarcasm, without much intrigue so far. It's been too hot here to go out and enjoy the yard. For now I wish I lived in Idaho (until January, when I'll wish I lived in Arizona.)
Susan - obviously we are not alone. Check out the "self-help" section at Hastings - a gazillion books. It's hard to sift through and find the ones that are decent. Too much New Age silliness has crept into the self-help movement.
Rosie - I read The Dome. It was a bit better than his last book I read, Duma Key. I couldn't even finish that one it was so boring.
His best, of course, is The Stand (IMO)
Some of his books after The Stand and Carrie became so off-color that they were hard for me to read.
Oh, I forgot to tell you. All 5 of the purple lilacs are leafing out. The 1 white lilac lost it's leaves. I still water them, hoping they're just dormant. I won't give up on them until next spring. You're a sweetie!
I love self-help books -- well, some of them, at least! I was actually more struck by your comment about things that are holding you back and avoiding settling for less. That really struck a chord with me. I'm enjoying this particular self-help book which I think of as more a guide to not compromising to the point that we lie awake at night with regret, because of too many compromises me. It's "Principled Centered Living" and talks about ethics, and pressures and how to protect yourself from common pitfalls and outside pressures, and generate simple (and creative!) solutions to everyday dilemmas. And it identifies hot spots for potential compromise at home and work.
Liz - thanks for the link. It looks like a pretty good book. I'll add it to my reading list. Constant reinforcement of one's values is important.
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