the book that changed me

I love books!  Hard copy, that is.  I really try to do the Kindle thing but my level of concentration is significantly reduced.  I can’t tell how many more pages I have left or the progress I’ve made just by feel.  It leaves me with the unnerving sensation of being untethered and unattached.  But give me an actual book and I am immediately grounded yet able to be transported into the words on the page. 

I have read many books through the years but there is always that one you remember as a turning point.  

I had already been fully submerged into my personal development journey - healing (body, mind & soul), learning to love myself, learning to decide things for myself and beginning to question the way I think about many things.  (I should point out that this journey did not exactly start out voluntarily.  Our greatest changes can come from our greatest challenges.)

Then I read this book...YOU ARE A BADASS.  How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life.  By Jen Sincero

It was the color of sunshine and that may have been by design.  

The author spoke like we were sitting over coffee or curled up on the couch talking about life.  She was not pretentious or pious but spoke as one who had just been through her own things.  It wasn't that what she was saying was something that I had never heard or even know instinctively inside. Maybe it was a validation of all of that.  Or seeing it in print made me believe it more. 

There is something to be said for people like Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle and other authors of this caliber.  They certainly can be inspiring yet not quite on our level.  She felt just a few steps ahead.  Like she had just been down this road and could offer more down to earth direction.

We underestimate our impact on people by believing that we have to have 'already arrived' to have the ability to give good guidance or direction.  When in reality - we only need to be a few steps ahead. 

If you are climbing Mt. Everest who is more beneficial to you - the guide already at the top that you can't see or hear or the guide just ahead?  

I remember the feeling.  Unstoppable. Capable. Like I could conquer anything.  While that doesn't mean that there were not more challenges along the way, the new perspectives stuck with me.  I revisit the book from time to time and recommend it to anyone starting on their self evolution journey - or anyone tired of feeling like crap about themselves.  
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Just like surrounding ourselves with the right people - surrounding and accessing (& re-accessing) the right messages whether it be in books/podcasts/blogs/articles/etc. is essential to help keep our momentum. Have staple items around you at all times that make you feel the way you want to feel about yourself.  

Quit trying to white knuckle your own motivation.  

Feed yourself intentionally with that which makes you feel unstoppable.  We all need a little boost every now and then.  Having those people and materials handy can ensure when the challenges come (and they will) you have an arsenal of resources.  People that can step in and remind you of your own greatness.

Sometimes we can carry others and sometimes we need to be carried.  The balance is off if we do not allow for the ebb and flow of giving and receiving.  Some think it is so virtuous to never need help.  If anyone ever says that to me I know that they are not being honest - with themselves OR me.  (And I know this because that WAS ME!)

So if you are in the market for a good self work read - give Jen Sincero a try.  She has since gone on to write two more books.  I haven't brought myself to start those as this one was the one that spoke so loud and clear to me.  She is quite colorful and that was part of her charm to me.  She does throw around a few four letter words…just letting ya know.

I'd love to hear the book that changed you or at least had a profound impact.  What you share may have a great impact on others too! 

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