Last year, I published my first annual list of favourite reads for the year, inspired by Bill Gates own blogging tradition. My own reading preference is anything that uplifts and inspires me. Here are a few standouts from my 2017 list:
How the Secret Changed My Life, by Rhonda Byrne. I love reading stories about how other people use universal principles, such as those described in The Secret, to create miracles in their lives. It is my favourite form of inspiration. Theory is all well and good, but give me examples and I’m much better equipped to make similar things happen in my own life. It’s the reason I pass on so many of my own stories. It’s like rocket fuel. There’s a great mix of stories in this compact little book covering all kinds of manifesting. Read it and get fuelled up!
What Happened, by Hillary Rodham Clinton. This is a strangely inspirational book, given that it’s a painful postmortem of a “losing” campaign for US president. I say “losing” because she received millions of more votes than the “winner” but lost anyway! Wacky politics aside, this is a very good book. I urge all free-thinking women to read it, then pass it on. Full of wisdom, insight, intelligence, humanity, hope and, yes, pain, it is a powerful manifesto on seeking to do good in the world, and digging deep in the face of failure. Packed with great sayings and quotes, my favourite sums up my admiration for her and the next phase of her extraordinary life: “Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible to do.” Pope John XXIII. A call to women everywhere who feel the pull to do all the good they can. Brava!
Angels in My Hair, by Lorna Byrne. A lovely memoir about an Irish mystic who has seen and conversed with angels her whole life, but was told not to share her experiences until later in life. Even though her life has been difficult, and people treated her as mentally disabled because she was different than other children, her stories and experiences with Spirit are fascinating. The biggest message in this book is to ask the angels for help with everything. Lorna describes vast numbers of “unemployed” angels wanting to help us in every way, but very few actually ask. A word of caution: she believes in the devil, which I do not. To me, the devil is a myth created to spread fear and obedience. Otherwise, it’s a great book.
Sara, Books 1, 2 & 3, by Esther & Jerry Hicks. I read these children’s books the year prior and loved them, but last year John read all three books aloud at bedtime, twice! He’s so good to me. Sara meets a guide, an owl called Solomon, who teachers her and her friends about the Law of Attraction. Solomon is every bit as wise and joyful as our own guides that it was like listening to them through the eyes of a child. I’m sure we’ll be reading this series over and over again for years to come.
