What I'm Reading Now
You Are Enough: Revealing the Soul to Discover Your Power, Potential and Possibility
I wanted to like this book. The title resonated with me and expected to get tools or insight on how to embrace our ‘enoughness’. While the book itself is well written, I just didn’t find it substantial in terms of guidance or self-help. Another reviewer said it was filled with too much flowery psychobabble. I would completely agree.
The message of surrender and acceptance is one that embraced a while ago. I don’t need to improve since I am already perfect as I am now. In fact, I’m known for saying that experiences are right and perfect for me in the moment (even if I don’t care for them). Although, there is always something new to learn, so I read this.
The book most definitely didn’t inspire me to throw down $3,000 for the bootcamp mentioned several times. I’ve read Discovering Your Soul Signature and found it more helpful. This book felt much more muddled and fluffy. There are plenty of high rating so perhaps others will find it more helpful than I did.
Books
Welcoming the Unwelcome: Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World
This mix of wisdom and heartfelt reflections by Pema Chödrön recognizes the inherent goodness in all of us. Even those we find challenging provide opportunities for growth and personal development.
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If Cats Disappeared From The World
I watched the 2016 movie on a flight and wanted more. The story asks the challenging question on how do you decide what makes life worth living? How do you separate out what you can do without from what you hold dear? It is a moving story that takes you on one man’s journey of self discovery.
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Signs of Emotional Abuse: How to Recognize the Patterns of Narcissism, Manipulation, and Control in Your Love Relationship
One of the first books I read after finally accepting that I had been in an abusive marriage for over a decade. I wept almost all the way through as I had horrifically lived through each of the covert tactics described in the book. If your partner has a way of reinforcing your self-doubt, turning the tables on you to make you feel crazy, selfish, and unlovable, this book is for you.
Meditations
Insight Timer
I was fortunate to find Insight Timer when I needed it most. I had struggled to meditate for years until I discovered the guided meditations here. Insight Timer is the world’s largest FREE library of more than 90k guided meditations, 11k teachers & the world’s most loved meditation timer.
Since I was deep in the process of recovering from narcissistic abuse, I was looking for meditations that would guide me. I found some, but not many meditations that specifically covered some of the things I was dealing with at the time. That was when I decided to start creating my own guided meditations. Since the beginning of 2019, I’ve created over 20 meditations. I branched out from my original purpose some time ago and found that I enjoy the creation. Not to mention all the lovely messages I get from kind listeners.
There are plenty of other meditation apps and Insight Timer is free, all the time.
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Bethany Auriel-Hagan
I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to guided meditations. Bethany gave me hope, calm and guided me gently to be in the moment.
Some of my favorites:
Awaken to a Clean Slate
From Pain to Peace
Becoming
Odds and Ends
Melanie Tonia-Evans
I stumbled across Melanie when I was at my lowest point. This narcissistic abuse recovery expert, healer, author and radio host provides healing methods that allow you to thrive. Her Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Program (NARP) walks you through the healing process to create an abuse-free life. Worth every penny.
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Writing Journal
I frequently get asked what I use to journal in daily. I’ve been using these plain, simple journals for years. I like the size as they travel well and the paper has a nice feel. This is what I give friends as gifts when I encourage them to start journaling.
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Angel Blessings: Cards of Sacred Guidance & Inspiration
These cards were a gift many years ago and I’ve always found them to be a great journal prompt. I don’t use them all the time but on the days that I pull a card, I find the message or guidance to be perfect for my journaling that day.
I read everyday. I’m sure that Amazon loves my voracious reading habit.
Fiction
Such a wide variety of genres: from murder mysteries like the Commissaire Adamsberg series, The Three Evangelists and every Agatha Christie to historical fiction such as the Kopp Sisters and even the nonsensical Noir: A Novel.
Non-Fiction
The non-fiction I reads runs from self care books like Whole Again and The Passion Test, to more business-related subject matter with Get Together and the 12 Week Year followed by more current topics such as The Psychology of Pandemics.
I usually have 2-3 books going at the same time.
The fiction I read in the evenings before bed as a way to wind down my day.
The non-fiction is usually savored over a cuppa joe on a lazy Sunday morning.
Disclosure: There are a few affiliate links on this site. Which just means I receive a small percentage of sales if you wish to purchase. There is no cost to you. I only recommend tools, books and services that I either use or people I know personally. Integrity and authenticity are of the highest importance to me.