“Give me money for my birthday so I can buy books for me to read throughout the year.”
That was my
request for my birthday in January this year (2021). Less than ten responded
but they gave generously. Now as I type this article, a day before 2021 ends, I
am so thankful to report I was able to buy 17 books from Book Depository
throughout the year with the money they gave! Though short of my goal – one
book a week (so 52 books) – I was kept busy and stimulated with the books I was
able to purchase.
Dear Life
by Rachel Clarke – a must-read book for all who will die especially at the
beginning of the year, when you celebrate your birthday. It was a difficult
book to read because I abhor death and the end of my sojourn on this lovely
planet. Even so, die I will so I read this book by a doctor working in the
palliative ward. The first time I saw this word was when I was undergoing
chemotherapy for my cancer and there was a special section in this part of the
hospital called the palliative ward. I later found out it was the place you go
to die (under the best medical care available). Dr Clarke covers all aspects of
dying in her narrative and the twist is when she has to experience the process
and pain of having her own father die. Down to earth, truthful, heart wrenching
but all real and necessary. Loved the book. Memento mori.
Design Your
Dream Life by Denise Walsh and The Miracle Equation by Hal Elrod – these two
books were bought because I embraced the teaching that you could create your
own amazing successful life if you decided what you wanted and followed a
template sure to give you your dreams. The only thing I finally realized from
these books were it is good to have an idea what you want, determine where you
are and where you want to be (the more challenging the better) and then work
your butt off doing 101 things that worked for many (but may not work for
me).Denise offered a well-covered 4 Phase plan – right mindset, work hard, deal
with obstacles. Hal also covered belief, being clear what you want and then
doing continuous extraordinary effort till you get it. I was disappointed
because I was expecting a surefire method that guaranteed my dream life. What I
got was old fashioned, repeated advice – know what you want and work hard to
get it and don’t stop till you do.
Feel The
Fear and Do It Anyway and Embracing Uncertainty by Susan Jeffers – I love these
books (especially Embracing Uncertainty) because Susan’s teachings help keep me
sane and give me hope during the many lockdowns and continuous fear of being
murdered by Covid. Susan’s teachings challenged many of my long held beliefs
that fed my fear, bringing new insights and perspective. Her exercises have a
powerful positive effect on me and and refer often to her books. Feel The Fear
was her earlier book and many of her ideas there are expanded in Embracing
Uncertainty (a jewel among the books I bought). Whatever happens I’ll handle
it, maybe is such a key mantra when dealing with uncertainty. Read the book to
discover what I mean.
#What Is
Post-Traumatic Growth? By Miriam Akhtar and Upside by Jim Rendon – beautiful
books that so positively introduced me to the world of Post-Traumatic Growth.
In my counselling opportunities, many claim to be having trauma and I really
wanted to know what it was and how I could help those who have experienced
trauma. I am so glad to discover that you don’t have to be destroyed by
traumatic experiences but instead, with the proper guidance and exercises, the
traumatic experience can be turned around to be a catalyst for growth in your
life. The next time a client says I am suffering from trauma, I know there is
hope for them.
Resilience
by Jo Owen and The Language of Emotions by Karla McLaren – another pair of
beautiful, practical and helpful books I got for my own on-going emotional and
mental wellbeing as well as for information I could use as I teach on Emotional
Management and coach clients on managing difficult emotions in their lives. Jo’s
book is laden with so much helpful information and covers 10 habits for
emotional and mental health that promotes a thriving life. So much to know and
do from this book. Karla’s book was a surprise. One, it’s the thickest book I
bought! Two, its content is a wonderland of information on our key emotions so
beautifully presented with personal experiences, amazing insights and practical
guidelines. Sometimes a bit woo-woo but put that aside and there’s so many gems
on emotional awareness. A must read for all serious about emotional awareness
and wellbeing.
The Power
of Mindful Learning by Ellen Langer, Scrum by Jeff Sutherland and Clearer,
Closer, Better by Emily Balcetis – these were hard books to digest, written by
‘clever people’ with research after research, case study after case study to
support their points. No personal anecdotes and opinions here, just truth and
facts backed by tons of scientific research. Love the mental workout these
books gave me, the amazing and solid findings and the truths discovered and
shared. Ellen’s book is a delight to read as she challenges so many beliefs
about learning, tearing them down with solid research and evidence and
replacing them with some amazing new truths. I wish I had read Jeff’s book many
years ago as it would have saved me so much heartache and failure at work – his
ideas on how to get things done is mind blowing. Lastly, Emily’s book – it’s
actually a book that lays out key steps you need to do to get a goal
accomplished. But she has broken the steps down and dug deep with so much info,
I am left drowning in the abundance of data. What makes reading this book
difficult is the lengthy case studies (stories) she shares to highlight her
findings. Just so long and so detailed. I kept wishing she would just get to
the point. To be honest, I have yet to finish reading these 3 books. I can only
handle a few pages most before my mind is fried but oh, how I love the truths
and wisdom I manage to find.
The
Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann – such a heartwarming, easy to read,
full of wise advice all wrapped in an easy to read narrative. A modern parable
that will leave your heart warmed and mind challenged. Love to read their other
books in this series.
The Seven
Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman – I finally bought a
Gottman book! After years of doing relationship counselling, I finally bought
the bestselling book by the best relationship expert and I was not
disappointed. So much to know and learn, apply (in my own marriage) and to use
in my counselling. An amazing resource and my go-to book when I need to help
those dealing with some key destructive problems in their marriage. Gottman has
many other books I will need to get and read.
Do The Work
by Steven Pressfield – when I finished reading the book (it didn’t take me long
as it was only about 100 pages long) I went: ‘What on earth did I just read?’
It made very little sense and left me wondering, maybe this one was just beyond
my mental capacity to understand. The only dud in my list of books bought.
Coaching
For Performance by Sir John Whitmore – the must read book for every coach, a
classic where so much coaching training and concepts have been built on and so
it made sense I get my own copy and read it to. Thanks Sir John for the GROW
model and introducing coaching to the world. A textbook I am thankful to own,
read and apply.
Birds Of
Borneo by Quentin and Karen Phillips – after enjoying the many birds that we
see daily in our farm and wondering what they were, I finally settled on this
well researched, beautifully illustrated field guide that has helped my wife and
I identify the many birds flying around the farm. Only downside is so far all
the birds we identify are usually said to be ‘the commonest’ of its kind.
Anyways, we are just glad we have so many common Borneo birds all around us
daily.
So there
you have it. All the books I bought, read and enjoyed. A big thank you and a
warm hug to all who gifted money to me so I could have books all year long to
buy, receive by mail, read and grow. Thank you.
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