For many, this certainly feels like the Age of Overwhelm. This is a beautiful read that offers practical strategies for easing the burden of overwhelm, restoring our strength and reconnecting with our resilience.
“How strange that the nature of life is change, yet the nature of human beings is to resist change. And how ironic that the difficult times we fear might ruin us are the very ones that can break us open and help us blossom into who we were meant to be.” ~Elizabeth Lesser, Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow
This is an inspiring guide on how to heal and grow in difficult times. It feels like essential reading for the times we are in.
We know what habits or self-care practices would make a positive difference for us, but we often struggle with maintaining those habits or even taking that first step. As Gretchen Rubin states, “The most important step is the first step. All those old sayings are really true. Well begun is half done. Don’t get it perfect, get it going. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Nothing is more exhausting than the task that’s never started, and strangely, starting is often far harder than continuing.” What habit would you start today if you could? Maybe you’ve already started a healthy habit and are concerned about maintaining that. I highly recommend Gretchen Rubin’s book, Better than Before. She offers many practical strategies for getting started and maintaining healthy habits. She also discusses the importance of self-awareness and knowing our tendencies when it comes to meeting expectations. If you want to learn more about the book, Gretchen or take a quiz that will help you understand your tendency when it comes to habits, visit: quiz.gretchenrubin.com
Painful life experiences can shift the way we think, feel and respond to those around us. If painful life experiences are left unresolved, their impact can be passed down, much like genes, from generation to generation. This book provides a powerful overview of how trauma can be inherited and how we can break the cycle of unresolved trauma. The book features powerful reflective exercises to connect with your core beliefs and language. If you find that unresolved family trauma is at the root of some of your own painful beliefs and emotional responses, this book serves as a guide for healing and breaking the cycle of family trauma.
“Your greatest test is whether you can still see the humanity of the people who disagree with you and people who hurt you. For when you are hurt, you will want to hate. But when you hate the ones who hurt you, you become the darkness that haunts your dreams. Love shines a light; love returns us to the path; love makes us brave.” ~ Valarie Kaur
A beautiful story of a young woman, Valarie Kaur, a Sikh activist, filmmaker, and lawyer. In a time when there is such polarization and divide in our country, this book calls us to look at others as brothers and sisters “You are a part of me that I do not know”. With captivating stories and an intimate look into the lives of the most vulnerable, she challenges us to see people from a space of curiosity, acceptance and love. This book truly is revolutionary.