Koncocoo

Best Motivational Growth & Spirituality

The Alchemist
A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." The charming tale of Santiago, a shepherd boy, who dreams of seeing the world, is compelling in its own right, but gains resonance through the many lessons Santiago learns during his adventures.
Reviews
"After deciding to travel to a Romani fortune-teller in a nearby town to discover its meaning, a gypsy woman tells him that there is a treasure in the Pyramids in Egypt. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is.”. The Alchemist Physical CoverAlong the journey, Santiago meets an Englishman who is in search of an Alchemist and together they continue their search for treasure. The essential message is that treasure is more worthy than gold."
"I purchased and began reading this book 2 years ago and, for whatever reason, I couldn't get into it."
"I have heard a lot of positive things about this book but couldn't bring myself to read it."
"I read it with an absolutely open mind for about half the book, and then had to force myself to choke down the rest. Paulo Coelho introduces you to the moral core of the story, which can and is summed up in a few paragraphs, probably at some point in the first ten pages. After that, apparently because he is incapable of nuanced writing, of metaphors, or of allowing the reader to decipher any meaning at all for himself, he instead decides to pound the exact same few moral points into your skull every single page, for exactly 182 repetitive pages. Instead of being berated by the omniscient narrator about chasing our dreams, thinly disguised as the seemingly only thought our one dimensional main character possesses? Which sort of ties in to the second largest flaw, maybe the first in order of importance depending on what your aim is, which is that this book is simply a dull, boring story, and rather poorly written, or possibly it's a children's book and I missed that because adults are reading it heavily in America. Just the same message reiterated again and again, the plot sort of being there as a vehicle for the mass repetition of the moral lesson. The omniscient narrator, clearly nothing but Coelho, spouts his belief about following a dream through the most superficial, paper thin main character in the history of literature. But no amount of mumbo jumbo repitition about Omens made this book appealing to my inner mystic, which really isn't that hard. Coehlo seems to be under the impression that you can have two characters look at each other, and use the word Omen, or personal treasure, and that is enough substance to intrigue the reader. But he fails to grasp that the reader actually has to feel intrigued and moved; by the plot, and by the characters."
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Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, andLead
From thought leader Dr. Brené Brown, a transformative new vision for the way we lead, love, work, parent, and educate that teaches us the power of vulnerability. Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable or to dare greatly. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena—whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation. Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen. --Seth Godin, New York Times bestselling author. ''The brilliantly insightful Brene Brown draws upon extensive research and personal experience to explore the paradoxes of courage: we become strong by embracing vulnerability, we dare more greatly when we acknowledge our fear. '' Daring Greatly is an important book--a timely warning about the danger of pursuing certainty and control above all. Brene Brown offers all of us a valuable guide to the real reward of vulnerability: greater courage.''. The invitation in this book is clear: We must be larger than anxiety, fear, and shame if we want to speak, act, and show up. The world needs this book and Brene's unique blend of warmth, humor, and ass-kicking makes her the perfect person to inspire us to dare greatly.''. So when she definitively lands on the one most important value we can cultivate for professional success, relationship health, parental joy, and courageous, passionate living . Brene Brown shines a bright light into these dark recesses of human emotion and reveals how these feelings can gnaw at fulfillment in education, at work, and in the home. If you're a student, teacher, parent, employer, employee, or just alive and wanting to live more fully, you should read this book. ''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. ''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. She has spent the past sixteen years studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy and is the author of three #1 New York Times bestsellers – The Gifts of Imperfection , Daring Greatly , and Rising Strong . Her latest book, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and The Courage to Stand Alone , will be released Fall 2017.
Reviews
"Last week I was sitting outside a coffee shop reading a book on my kindle when a youngish guy walked by carrying a coffee and a computer, looking for a place to sit. I promptly went back to my reading but I could feel his eyes boring into me as I anticipated the dreaded question. There's just something about the vast amount of information that I'm pressured to wrap into one or two sentences that completely overwhelms and paralyzes me. Part of me was tempted to lie to youngish guy by replying, "oh, it's just some silly novel." Allowing myself to be vulnerable led Patrick and I into a conversation for the next hour. Patrick, if you're reading this, c'était une joie pour vous rencontrer. This moment of unabashed vulnerability with Patrick was the beginning of a major shift in my life. She reinforces what I've known all along but been afraid of admitting--that vulnerability leads to happiness. Following Brene's advice and expertise garnered through her research and life stories, truly does work. It was the reading of Daring Greatly that prompted me to finally divulge my long kept secret of my history with an eating disorder; which wound up being my highest trafficked blog post of all time. If any of these questions ring true then I hope you'll read this book for yourself."
"More than half the book consists of chapters on relationships, marriage, having children, etc."
"In fact, "Vulnerability is the the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experiences." The main concern of Wholehearted men and women is living a life defined by courage, compassion, and connection. It comes down to this: If we don't embrace vulnerability, we are destined to live a lonely, detached, unfulfilling life. Wholehearted Parenting: Daring to Be the Adults We Want Our Children to Be. - Final Thoughts. - Appendix -- Trust in Emergence: Grounded Theory and My Research Process. - Practicing Gratitude. Daring Greatly doesn't focus on the area of love and relationships, but it offers invaluable tools for deepening our love partnerships. For going deeper into vulnerability in the context of a romantic relationship, check out The Couple's Survival Workbook: What You Can Do To Reconnect With Your Partner and Make Your Marriage Work by Olsen and Stephens. More generally, if you're interested in Browne's concept of Wholehearted living -- the contextual framework of Daring Greatly -- check out The Gifts of Imperfection. It's not altogether easy, but it's deeply relieving to understand that this essential skill is not about simply stepping out under a hail of deadly arrows. It's about leaving behind lonely and fearful self-interest, having courage that deeper connection eagerly awaits us."
"I have just stepped up in an area of my life that I found so difficult ( the fear of rejection was huge) and I am so happy to have had the courage to do that from reading this book."
"It's very interesting to see how shame runs through cultures, homes, friendships, work environments, personal talk, etc."
"Brené is a champion for change and this book is a gateway for all of us to join her quest for us to be intentional, courageous, change-makers!"
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The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
Nobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have survived more than fifty years of exile and the soul-crushing violence of oppression. In April 2015, Archbishop Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama's home in Dharamsala, India, to celebrate His Holiness's eightieth birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift for others. By the end of a week filled with laughter and punctuated with tears, these two global heroes had stared into the abyss and despair of our time and revealed how to live a life brimming with joy. "[An] exquisite book...An intimate glimpse into the minds of two of the world's spiritual guides, and their foundation for an attainable and practical approach to experiencing a more enriching and sustainable life of abundant joy." "This sparkling, wise, and immediately useful gift to readers from two remarkable spiritual masters offers hope that joy is possible for everyone even in the most difficult circumstances, and describes a clear path for attaining it." And it’s a book that vividly probes the very nature of joy itself — the illusions that eclipse it, the obstacles that obscure it, the practices that cultivate it, and the pillars that sustain it." For over three decades the Dalai Lama has maintained an ongoing conversation and collaboration with scientists from a wide range of disciplines, especially through the Mind and Life Institute, an organization that he co-founded. The Dalai Lama travels extensively, promoting kindness and compassion, interfaith understanding, respect for the environment, and, above all, world peace. In 1994, Tutu was appointed chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission by Nelson Mandela, where he pioneered a new way for countries to move forward after experiencing civil conflict and oppression. He is the founder and president of Idea Architects, a creative book and media agency helping visionaries to create a wiser, healthier, and more just world.
Reviews
"The Book of Joy lives up to its title and goes much further."
"Both the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu have risen beyond their respective religions to reach out to all humans regardless of their location."
"The best book that I read in 2016."
"It's not that the Dalai Lama and Bishop Tutu are saying "Don't have negative feelings; don't expect never to have bad things happen to you, don't despair over all the dreadful things that do happen in the world" -- rather find ways to accept these things and ways to think more kindly and productively and ways to focus on helping and understanding others, even when those others are sometimes not acting kindly toward you or others."
"Absolutely stellar!!!"
"This book is a gift to the world."
"I am only on the third chapter, but I read this book more slowly than most books I have."
"I am using the book as sort of a study / meditation source, reading some, pondering, etc."
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Best Spirituality

The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)
“I have been in the human potential / personal development movement since 1973, when I did my first EST training and saw a whole new world of possibilities. Since then, I have studied religions, prayer, meditation, yoga, affirmation, visualization, and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming). “What Hal has done with his acronym SAVERS is taken the “best practices”—developed over centuries of human consciousness development—and condensed the “best of the best” into a daily morning ritual. “As my rich dad often said, “I can always make another dollar, but I cannot make another day.” If you want to maximize every day of your life, read Miracle Morning.”. ========================================. What if you could miraculously wake up tomorrow and any—or every area of your life was transformed? What if I told you that there is a "not-so-obvious" secret that is guaranteed to transform any—or literally every area of your life, faster than you ever thought possible? What’s now being practiced by thousands of people around the world could perhaps be the simplest approach to creating the life you’ve always wanted. "Every once in a while, you read a book that changes the way you look at life. If you really want your life to improve, read this book immediately." Reading his first book, Taking Life Head On! After 6 days of fighting for his life, Hal proved that we all have the ability to overcome any obstacle and create the life of our dreams. Not only did he walk, he became an ultra-marathon runner, hall of fame business achiever, international Keynote Speaker, Success Coach, husband, father, hip-hop recording artist, and multiple time #1 bestselling author of "The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed To Transform Your Life... (Before 8AM)" and "Taking Life Head On: How To Love the Life You Have While You Create the Life of Your Dreams"—two of the highest rated and most acclaimed books on Amazon.com. Hal has appeared on dozens of radio and TV shows, and he’s been featured in numerous books, including The Education of Millionaires, Cutting Edge Sales, Living College Life in the Front Row, The Author’s Guide To Building An Online Platform, The 800-Pound Gorilla of Sales and the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
Reviews
"I almost didn't get the book because I read the 1 star reviews and they said it was a simplistic redo of the same messages many others had done. I heard Hal Elrod on a webinar and was excited to read the book based upon his presentation, there were a lot of 5 star reviews and I decided to get it. To exercise has been on my goals list for five years and I just couldn't get back to it until I read Miracle Morning."
"A few weeks ago I was exhausted in tears thinking I didn't have "me time". What time alone I had at the end of the day I just wasted watching tv."
""Whether you want to make significant improvements in just a few key areas, or you are ready for a major overhaul that will radically transform your entire life--so your current circumstances will soon become only a memory of what was--you've picked up the right book. You are about to begin a miraculous journey, using a simple, but revolutionary process that is guaranteed to transform any area of your life... all before 8:00 am." After 6 minutes of that (near-)death experience, he spent several days in a coma and awoke to discover he had suffered brain damage and was told that he may never walk again. He defied the odds and proved we're all capable of overcoming obstacles while creating the life of our dreams. If you've been looking to jump start your life--or just take it to the next level--there's no better place to start than by dialing in your morning routine and Hal is the perfect guide to help us discover the "not-so-obvious secrets" to rockin' it before 8:00 am! good job of helping us architect our miracle mornings--whether that's a 6-minute plan to start or 60."
"First off, there are a lot of good ideas outlined in the book that I'm looking forward to implementing to improve my mornings and be as productive as I can possibly be. "Thousands of people have reached their potential after utilizing The Miracle Morning." There was so much fluff and shameless self-promotion that had the book not been downloaded on my iPad I would've thrown the physical copy away after ripping out the pages that were actually useful."
"Once on the website, you need to register and get sucked into more commercial advertising and never get the information that was said to be there."
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Best Creativity Self-Help

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
When can I stop proving myself?In The Gifts of Imperfection, Bren頂rown, PhD, a leading expert on shame, authenticity and belonging, shares what she's learned from a decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Living--a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough, and to go to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. Each guidepost is the focus of a chapter that contains illustrative stories, primarily from her own life; definitions, including the difference between shame and guilt; quotes from such diverse sources as Diane Ackerman and E.E. She intersperses her own personal journey with research and clinical observations of others of the work of living a “wholehearted” life, or “engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness.” The point is to embrace life and oneself with all the imperfections, releasing the stress of overdoing and overworking.
Reviews
"Moreover, I had recently been dumped in my 'perfect' engagement by my fiancee who had been cheating on me with a male coworker. Changing my mind on reading this was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I have ever made and I am a much better person for it. This is important because thoughtful people need to confront these things in order to overcome them and develop not just a positive mindset; but, a *realistic* one that doesn't ignore the potentially negative cognitions that arise. But, allow me to be clear: if you have just been dumped, divorced, or experienced a break-up, then I think this is a great book for you. I think this is the right approach, since qualitative research is well-suited to derive meaning from the experiences of people. CONs. -for the uninitiated (read: myself), I thought that guidepost 8 wasn't as clear in defining the concept of stillness. First, I grew-up with a very domineering father and reading this book has made me truly comfortable with him for the first time in my life."
"I read "Daring Greatly" about 6 months ago after watching Dr. Brown's TED talks and that book honest to goodness changed my life. I found this was a little shallow and abstract, whereas Daring Greatly so eloquently and articulately put words to ideas we understand intuitively, and it really enhanced my emotional vocabulary. Some of it (shame vs guilt, for example) was redundant of Daring Greatly (and other texts for that matter) and her discussion of ideas like intuition, spirituality, and numbing were vague and unhelpful to me. She had a section after each chapter called DIG deep where she listed ways that she tries to employ these strategies, and she often said "Amen" at the end of some quotes. She was also a little judgmental in this book (towards others and towards herself) and I could ironically see her striving for perfectionism (like in order to be perfect she needs to become "wholehearted," so she is actively working to employ these strategies rather than actually embodying them). Additionally, unlike Daring Greatly, this reads a little bit like a checklist (see comment above) of things you should do: 1. don't be a perfectionist 2. The Gifts of Imperfection seemed to get sidetracked by specifics (dancing, jewelry making, her childhood house in New Orleans) and it never reached that universality that was so healing in Daring Greatly. In contrast, it felt like Brene Brown had found her own voice in Daring Greatly, and no longer needed to continually reference others' work and could just share her research and the conclusions she reached from it. All in all, while The Gifts of Imperfection was a nice book that offered a little refresher of Brown's understanding of "wholehearted living" with some ideas about intuition and faith, creativity, and song and dance, it was not as sophisticated or inspiring as her latest book Daring Greatly, which really felt like a true culmination of her research and experiences."
"I've been through 6 therapists, I've struggled with depression for nearly twenty years, never could finish anything I started, and everyone always assumed I had ADHD. Not until therapist number five did someone point out to me that ADHD is often mistaken for anxiety and he was sure that was my problem."
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Best 90-Minute Short Reads

15 Minutes to a Better Interview: What I Wish EVERY Job Candidate Knew
If you get no value out of this book, and it doesn't improve your interviews - RETURN FOR A FULL REFUND* I AM THAT CONFIDENT ABOUT THE VALUE OF MY EXPERIENCE. In 15 minutes or less you can transform how you interview using a highly condensed set of recommendations in this book. If so their guidance may get you an interview, but won't give you insight into what goes through the manager's head when you aren't hired for the job. "I have never taken the time to write a review for a book, but I felt compelled to share my experience with the author and other job seekers...I knew this was an area where I needed some guidance. This should be in everyone's library to read at least a few days before the interview so you can really digest some of the wisdom that the author is shares." I honestly attribute the book to helping me land my new job as it formed the foundation for my interview preparation work." It is critically important that you come in prepared and are able to understand the intent behind each question so you can frame your answer around what the interviewer is looking for. I know you will find my extensive experiences from the other side of the desk helpful, and look forward to hearing about your success.
Reviews
"I purchased the audio version and took almost 6 pages of notes from this book."
"Great for candidates and recruiters."
"Quick & useful read, took longer than 15 minutes because I read it twice."
"Recommend to anyone going to be intereviewed."
"I wish I had read this book much earlier."
"It says 15 minutes (likely implying that it's a 15 min read), but if you want to really absorb the info, you might want to read a little slower and make notes."
"No nonsense and information you can immediately use to greatly improve your interview chances!"
"Purchased after I went through an interview that did not result in a job offer."
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Best 90-Minute Self-Help Short Reads

Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It
In December of 2011, I gave a talk to an audience of scientists, Pentagon officials, politicians, and CEO's on the secret of life and how I'd figured it out the previous summer. Afterwards, people came up individually and told me how much what I'd shared meant to them. I've trekked to one of the highest base camps in the Himalayas, meditated with Tibetan monks in the Dalai Lama's monastery, earned my US Army Infantry patch, walked 550 miles across Spain, lived in Paris, been the only non-black, non-woman member of the Black Women's writers' group, written a novel, held the hands of dying patients, and worked with some of the best people in Silicon Valley.
Reviews
"I have used it with great success with many of my patients - I've come to the conclusion, that for many people who suffer from anxiety and depression, also seem to lack the ability to have self-compassion or love themselves..."
"And in between eating, and working, and going out and showing how cool and happy I was by having massive drinking nights with my buddies, I started searching. I read all the self-help books from my Dad's shelves, all the Tony Robbins and Brian Tracy and Zig Ziglar, and I loved it. I bought my own books, `Change Your Thinking', `Authentic Happiness', `How To Change Your Life in 30 Days'. And so I'd close my book and go home and I'd eat, and my deep down worries that maybe I wasn't so special after all would drift away. When my (first) marriage ended, my husband wondered how he hadn't seen it coming just by looking properly at my bookshelf. I've ticked off many challenges, said no to a bunch of `you gotta dos', and I'm enjoying my ongoing development. But when I read Kamal's book and I looked in the mirror and tried to - without blinking - say `I love myself', I cried. You don't stop to think about whether the things you're working your life away for reflect self-love or just quiet desperation. The direction of my life has changed in the past 8 or 9 days since reading this book. The real me, the one I've been hiding without knowing it, thinking won't be good enough, is coming out to play."
"Trying hard to do away with some negative programming that resurfaced when I broke no contact. Forgot to add that the rewiring for negative memories, that come to mind, is good stuff."
"Real Truths are simple."
"I bought this book for my mom and a copy for myself so we could discuss it together."
"Read this book and then read it again...as if your life depends on it ...because it does!"
"It uses a simplistic, brute force kind of approach to learning self-love, but this is a necessary part of overcoming long ingrained patterns of poor self-esteem. I have found this to be true with many programs of self-help, but I think this book could have additions about a more long term practice - it could be developed much further."
"I'm hearing this message of knowing and live your truth over and over."
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Best Alchemy

The Alchemist
A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." The charming tale of Santiago, a shepherd boy, who dreams of seeing the world, is compelling in its own right, but gains resonance through the many lessons Santiago learns during his adventures.
Reviews
"After deciding to travel to a Romani fortune-teller in a nearby town to discover its meaning, a gypsy woman tells him that there is a treasure in the Pyramids in Egypt. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is.”. The Alchemist Physical CoverAlong the journey, Santiago meets an Englishman who is in search of an Alchemist and together they continue their search for treasure. The essential message is that treasure is more worthy than gold."
"I purchased and began reading this book 2 years ago and, for whatever reason, I couldn't get into it."
"Although the Alchemist reads somewhat like a fable, a story with a moral or philosophical message - its pastoral simplicity and the constant weave of insights and wisdom with regard to a higher consciousness, is refreshing and inspiring."
"I knew I would love this book."
"It was shorter than I had thought it would be and although I enjoyed the philosophy behind it, the story seemed to just kind of meander.. maybe that was the point?"
"This is, without a doubt, one of the best books you will ever read in your life."
"This book made me want to pack up and travel all around the world to live out my own journey."
"I finally got this book and read it, now I am rereading it again."
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Best Occult

The Alchemist
A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." The charming tale of Santiago, a shepherd boy, who dreams of seeing the world, is compelling in its own right, but gains resonance through the many lessons Santiago learns during his adventures.
Reviews
"After deciding to travel to a Romani fortune-teller in a nearby town to discover its meaning, a gypsy woman tells him that there is a treasure in the Pyramids in Egypt. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is.”. The Alchemist Physical CoverAlong the journey, Santiago meets an Englishman who is in search of an Alchemist and together they continue their search for treasure. The essential message is that treasure is more worthy than gold."
"I purchased and began reading this book 2 years ago and, for whatever reason, I couldn't get into it."
"Although the Alchemist reads somewhat like a fable, a story with a moral or philosophical message - its pastoral simplicity and the constant weave of insights and wisdom with regard to a higher consciousness, is refreshing and inspiring."
"I knew I would love this book."
"It was shorter than I had thought it would be and although I enjoyed the philosophy behind it, the story seemed to just kind of meander.. maybe that was the point?"
"This is, without a doubt, one of the best books you will ever read in your life."
"This book made me want to pack up and travel all around the world to live out my own journey."
"I finally got this book and read it, now I am rereading it again."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Personal Transformation & Spirituality

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, andLead
From thought leader Dr. Brené Brown, a transformative new vision for the way we lead, love, work, parent, and educate that teaches us the power of vulnerability. Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable or to dare greatly. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena—whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation. Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen. --Seth Godin, New York Times bestselling author. ''The brilliantly insightful Brene Brown draws upon extensive research and personal experience to explore the paradoxes of courage: we become strong by embracing vulnerability, we dare more greatly when we acknowledge our fear. '' Daring Greatly is an important book--a timely warning about the danger of pursuing certainty and control above all. Brene Brown offers all of us a valuable guide to the real reward of vulnerability: greater courage.''. The invitation in this book is clear: We must be larger than anxiety, fear, and shame if we want to speak, act, and show up. The world needs this book and Brene's unique blend of warmth, humor, and ass-kicking makes her the perfect person to inspire us to dare greatly.''. So when she definitively lands on the one most important value we can cultivate for professional success, relationship health, parental joy, and courageous, passionate living . Brene Brown shines a bright light into these dark recesses of human emotion and reveals how these feelings can gnaw at fulfillment in education, at work, and in the home. If you're a student, teacher, parent, employer, employee, or just alive and wanting to live more fully, you should read this book. ''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. ''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. She has spent the past sixteen years studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy and is the author of three #1 New York Times bestsellers – The Gifts of Imperfection , Daring Greatly , and Rising Strong . Her latest book, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and The Courage to Stand Alone , will be released Fall 2017.
Reviews
"Last week I was sitting outside a coffee shop reading a book on my kindle when a youngish guy walked by carrying a coffee and a computer, looking for a place to sit. I promptly went back to my reading but I could feel his eyes boring into me as I anticipated the dreaded question. There's just something about the vast amount of information that I'm pressured to wrap into one or two sentences that completely overwhelms and paralyzes me. Part of me was tempted to lie to youngish guy by replying, "oh, it's just some silly novel." Allowing myself to be vulnerable led Patrick and I into a conversation for the next hour. Patrick, if you're reading this, c'était une joie pour vous rencontrer. This moment of unabashed vulnerability with Patrick was the beginning of a major shift in my life. She reinforces what I've known all along but been afraid of admitting--that vulnerability leads to happiness. Following Brene's advice and expertise garnered through her research and life stories, truly does work. It was the reading of Daring Greatly that prompted me to finally divulge my long kept secret of my history with an eating disorder; which wound up being my highest trafficked blog post of all time. If any of these questions ring true then I hope you'll read this book for yourself."
"In fact, "Vulnerability is the the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experiences." The main concern of Wholehearted men and women is living a life defined by courage, compassion, and connection. It comes down to this: If we don't embrace vulnerability, we are destined to live a lonely, detached, unfulfilling life. Wholehearted Parenting: Daring to Be the Adults We Want Our Children to Be. - Final Thoughts. - Appendix -- Trust in Emergence: Grounded Theory and My Research Process. - Practicing Gratitude. Daring Greatly doesn't focus on the area of love and relationships, but it offers invaluable tools for deepening our love partnerships. For going deeper into vulnerability in the context of a romantic relationship, check out The Couple's Survival Workbook: What You Can Do To Reconnect With Your Partner and Make Your Marriage Work by Olsen and Stephens. More generally, if you're interested in Browne's concept of Wholehearted living -- the contextual framework of Daring Greatly -- check out The Gifts of Imperfection. It's not altogether easy, but it's deeply relieving to understand that this essential skill is not about simply stepping out under a hail of deadly arrows. It's about leaving behind lonely and fearful self-interest, having courage that deeper connection eagerly awaits us."
"It's very interesting to see how shame runs through cultures, homes, friendships, work environments, personal talk, etc."
"I have just stepped up in an area of my life that I found so difficult ( the fear of rejection was huge) and I am so happy to have had the courage to do that from reading this book."
"Brené is a champion for change and this book is a gateway for all of us to join her quest for us to be intentional, courageous, change-makers!"
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Mysticism & Spirituality

Twenty Four Hours A Day: Meditations
This best-selling meditation book for those in recovery offers daily thoughts, meditations, and prayers for living a clean and sober life. On the surface, the life that Mr. Reggie Smith is presently living seems quite unassuming. He is married for 25 years, the father or four children, three grandchildren and lives quietly in their tree-lined subdivision in Cobb County Georgia. The point that Reggie makes more loudly with his life, than he could ever say with words, is that there is a great deal going on in our families and communities that we are not talking about and people are dying needlessly from STIGMA, and the lack of information. You see, Mr. Smith is among the more than 1 million (registered) people in the United States living with HIV. Yes, Reggie Smith, author of the much loved book "Surrender To Heal" - 7 Ways To Rise Above The Battlefield Of Life, is a long time survivor of HIV/AIDS. He asserts that there are many long-term survivors who have been having success using a holistic approach to healing and his life is certainly proof that it works! Hailing from the mean streets of the Southside of Jamaica, Queens (NY), the neighborhood that produced L.L.Cool J, Russell Simmons, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar, he survived the war that was waged against young black men in urban America, only to find himself, like many of his peers, a potential casualty to biological terrorism. The devastation of AIDS in our society, especially in the Black community, has created an ongoing post-traumatic stress reaction not unlike that of September 11th and the DC Sniper, except it is much more pervasive and cost our society much more in the way of financial and human capital. These daily readings contain most of the material used in the booklet "For Drunks Only" and other AA literature; also some passages from "the Big Book," Alcoholics Anonymous. Permission to use the universal spiritual thoughts expressed in this book, without using direct quotations, has been granted by Dodd, Mead & Co., New York City. The author hopes that these daily readings may help members of Alcoholics Anonymous to find the power they need to stay sober each twenty-four hours. I will bury every fear of the future, all thoughts of unkindness and bitterness, all my dislikes, my resentments, my sense of failure, my disappointments in others and in myself, my gloom and my despondency. Then I must surrender my life to a Higher Power, put my drinking problem in His hands and leave it there.
Reviews
"Gave as a gift & the receiver of the gift is loving it."
"Wonderful everyone should read this book. I read it daily. A great way to start the day. I have been reading it for years."
"Critical book for anyone serious about recovery."
"So great to have this on my phone."
"I have been using this book for 42years."
"The per son I bought it for as a gift loved iy."
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Best Personal Success & Spirituality

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, andLead
From thought leader Dr. Brené Brown, a transformative new vision for the way we lead, love, work, parent, and educate that teaches us the power of vulnerability. Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable or to dare greatly. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena—whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation. Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen. --Seth Godin, New York Times bestselling author. ''The brilliantly insightful Brene Brown draws upon extensive research and personal experience to explore the paradoxes of courage: we become strong by embracing vulnerability, we dare more greatly when we acknowledge our fear. '' Daring Greatly is an important book--a timely warning about the danger of pursuing certainty and control above all. Brene Brown offers all of us a valuable guide to the real reward of vulnerability: greater courage.''. The invitation in this book is clear: We must be larger than anxiety, fear, and shame if we want to speak, act, and show up. The world needs this book and Brene's unique blend of warmth, humor, and ass-kicking makes her the perfect person to inspire us to dare greatly.''. So when she definitively lands on the one most important value we can cultivate for professional success, relationship health, parental joy, and courageous, passionate living . Brene Brown shines a bright light into these dark recesses of human emotion and reveals how these feelings can gnaw at fulfillment in education, at work, and in the home. If you're a student, teacher, parent, employer, employee, or just alive and wanting to live more fully, you should read this book. ''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. ''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. She has spent the past sixteen years studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy and is the author of three #1 New York Times bestsellers – The Gifts of Imperfection , Daring Greatly , and Rising Strong . Her latest book, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and The Courage to Stand Alone , will be released Fall 2017.
Reviews
"Last week I was sitting outside a coffee shop reading a book on my kindle when a youngish guy walked by carrying a coffee and a computer, looking for a place to sit. I promptly went back to my reading but I could feel his eyes boring into me as I anticipated the dreaded question. There's just something about the vast amount of information that I'm pressured to wrap into one or two sentences that completely overwhelms and paralyzes me. Part of me was tempted to lie to youngish guy by replying, "oh, it's just some silly novel." Allowing myself to be vulnerable led Patrick and I into a conversation for the next hour. Patrick, if you're reading this, c'était une joie pour vous rencontrer. This moment of unabashed vulnerability with Patrick was the beginning of a major shift in my life. She reinforces what I've known all along but been afraid of admitting--that vulnerability leads to happiness. Following Brene's advice and expertise garnered through her research and life stories, truly does work. It was the reading of Daring Greatly that prompted me to finally divulge my long kept secret of my history with an eating disorder; which wound up being my highest trafficked blog post of all time. If any of these questions ring true then I hope you'll read this book for yourself."
"In fact, "Vulnerability is the the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experiences." The main concern of Wholehearted men and women is living a life defined by courage, compassion, and connection. It comes down to this: If we don't embrace vulnerability, we are destined to live a lonely, detached, unfulfilling life. Wholehearted Parenting: Daring to Be the Adults We Want Our Children to Be. - Final Thoughts. - Appendix -- Trust in Emergence: Grounded Theory and My Research Process. - Practicing Gratitude. Daring Greatly doesn't focus on the area of love and relationships, but it offers invaluable tools for deepening our love partnerships. For going deeper into vulnerability in the context of a romantic relationship, check out The Couple's Survival Workbook: What You Can Do To Reconnect With Your Partner and Make Your Marriage Work by Olsen and Stephens. More generally, if you're interested in Browne's concept of Wholehearted living -- the contextual framework of Daring Greatly -- check out The Gifts of Imperfection. It's not altogether easy, but it's deeply relieving to understand that this essential skill is not about simply stepping out under a hail of deadly arrows. It's about leaving behind lonely and fearful self-interest, having courage that deeper connection eagerly awaits us."
"I enjoy this book a lot and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to read it, it’s a book that will change how you see yourself and the rest of the people in the world."
"This a really important book for living well and learning how to tune out the noise of people who pile shame and guilt on others."
"Brene Brown is helping us to repair the fractured way many of us grew up to think and believe, and she does it with humor, empathy and lots of great story telling."
"Absolutely could not get into it."
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Best Philosophy & Spiritual Growth

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
The Untethered Soul , spiritual teacher Michael Singer explores the question of who we are and arrives at the conclusion that our identity is to be found in our consciousness, the fact of our ability to observe ourselves, and the world around us. By tapping into traditions of meditation and mindfulness, Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness and self-realization. This book, copublished with the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), offers a frank and friendly discussion of consciousness and how we can develop it. The accuracy and simplicity of this work is a measure of its pure mastery.” — James O’Dea , past president of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS). It is the clearest statement I know of who we are and what we face in our emerging humanity.”. — Jean Houston , philosopher, psychologist, and author of A Mythic Life and Passion for the Possible “Deep spirituality is within your reach in this book. It may take more than one reading and many hours of introspection, but The Untethered Soul is a must-read for anyone in search of greater understanding of themselves and of the truth.” — Louis Chiavacci , senior vice-president of Merrill Lynch, ranked in Barron’s top fifteen US Investment Advisors. “This publication has released boundless joy for the hungry souls of the world.” — Ma Yoga Shakti Saraswati, founder of Yogashakti International Mission and recipient of Hinduism Today’s Hindu of the Year 2000 award. With great eloquence, wit, and compelling logic, Singer’s brilliant book completes this thought by showing them to be two poles of the same selfless devotion.” — Ray Kurzweil , National Medal of Technology recipient and author of The Singularity Is Near. Singer takes the reader on a journey that begins with consciousness tethered to the ego and ends having taken us beyond our myopic, contained self-image to a state of inner freedom and liberation. Michael A. Singer’s book is a priceless gift to all who have futilely searched and yearned for a richer, more meaningful, creative life.” — Yogi Amrit Desai , internationally recognized pioneer of modern yoga.
Reviews
"I read the audio version of this book multiple times, bought copies of it for clients, and shared it with friends. After reading Michael's book, I simply allowed irrelevant, erroneous, totally made up thoughts to just float on by without attaching my emotions to them. It means you're no longer an emotional puppet on the string of everyone else's behavior, attitudes, decisions, choices, etc. I LOVED the audio version of the book because the person who read it was perfect for the content. I've read TONS of other books on similar topics but the way Michael conveyed the material was unique and different and I really GOT IT!"
"Some of the points made in The Untethered Soul are: 1. Learn to relax and stay open no matter what. Do not identify with the experiences you are observing. Facing the fact of bodily death can help you to realize that all of the observed is temporary. Do not allow painful experiences from the past to influence the present. If you want a life full of joy and love you must make a commitment to having a life full of joy and love. Learn how to live from your heart, not from your ego. The Untethered Soul is my second most favorite book on the subject of how to transcend the ego and how to realize the true Self and directly experience that perfect infinite consciousness that has only joy and love and has no suffering. My most favorite book on that subject is THE SEVEN STEPS TO AWAKENING which is a collection of quotes by these seven authors: 1."
"I see life and the spiritual journey differently, and though I do believe we all should strive for a happier life and a more peaceful spirit, I don't believe it is desirable to live without some unhappiness, some worries, some fears. The author contradicts himself many times, but more importantly doesn't indicate any awareness that he has contradicted himself. Thus, while the author makes many statements throughout that I agree with, he also constantly is making other statements that contradict previous ones, giving me the impression that he is just writing a stream of consciousness of statements cherry-picked to resonate with a broad range of spiritual-enlightenment-seekers, without much regard to whether those statements gel together to form a cohesive whole. Structure. I would not want to take that away from anyone, but sadly, it is not the book for me."
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Best Men's Personal Spiritual Growth

As a Man Thinketh: Classic Wisdom for Proper Thought, Strong Character, & Right Actions
Each of the aphorisms and quotes in this book reveals simple yet revelatory techniques that will empower you to strengthen your character, harness constructive thoughts, and create the life you've always wanted. ``This little volume (the result of meditation and experience) is not intended as an exhaustive treatise on the much-written upon subject of the power of thought.
Reviews
"I am well educated by modern western standards - I have a masters degree in electrical engineering, and a masters degree in business (MBA)...I am middle-aged so I have had plenty of time to witness life on earth...I was also in the US Navy at an early age...I hope this gives you a context for my review........I have to honestly say, without any reservation, from the bottom of my heart - that this is the single MOST IMPORTANT book - rather EDUCATION - of my entire life...Nothing else comes close....If you are seeking true happiness, inner peace, would like to really internalize "why you are here", this is the best work around....If you want to learn how to deal with your resentment, prejudices, and maybe most-importantly, ego - this book will do it for you."
"The first time I was able to put the knowledge I learned from this book into practice was a emotionally explosive moment as I realized that I finally was able to control my thoughts and take a hold of my mind."
"The most shocking thing you'll notice if you open A Course In Miracles is the deceivingly pretentious introduction that never fails to spark intrigue. It takes browsing a few pages to realize that actually, it is required, because it is the only spiritual message there is. It is the same message we hear from anyone that has ever grown into spiritual high levels and tried to tell us how to join them. BUT, to my surprise, and unlike the stories I heard in both, catholic-elementary AND catholic-high-school (such was my luck) --- this book interprets things correctly. You do the right thing, but you do not take revenge because the results of the actions of s/he, whom you perceive as your perpetrator, are NOT up to you, but up to a higher power. Here they are: 1.- INFINITE PATIENCE DELIVERS IMMEDIATE RESULTS. The first time I read this one I laughed. I needed to open a new bank account, and I knew these things take forever. When the bank representative asked for the usual documents and apologized for the computer being slow, I took it as a sign. Stepping into the present with an open heart (as you would if you really wanted it to work), gives you an advantage... You are operating from infinity. 2.- A MIRACLE IS A SHIFT IN PERCEPTION. The power of an alchemist lies not in turning dust into gold. That is just a metaphor to show the strength of the mind that lies behind such a miracle. A real miracle is one that happens when in spite of desperation, hurt, defeat, bankruptcy, we still shift our perception from lack, to abundance. We have our feet on the ground, we know where we are, but we also trust the infinite force that is keeping us alive right now, and we know we are abundant, in this moment, because we are here. The stuff of alchemists... 3.- I DON'T PERCEIVE MY OWN BEST INTERESTS. This one blew my mind right of its skull. There is a story of that enlightened monk who, one night, gets a visit from the parents of the teen-age girl that lives next door. A year later the parents come back and apologize, they tell him their daughter confessed that the child was fathered by the butcher. Check out the next two lines... "The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance.""
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Best Spiritual Growth

Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
For the millions of Americans who want spirituality without religion, Sam Harris’s latest New York Times bestseller is a guide to meditation as a rational practice informed by neuroscience and psychology. caught my eye because it’s so entirely of this moment, so keenly in touch with the growing number of Americans who are willing to say that they do not find the succor they crave, or a truth that makes sense to them, in organized religion.” (Frank Bruni, columnist, New York Times). “The fact is that Waking Up lends a different picture of Harris (at least to me): an intelligent and sensitive person who is willing to undergo the discomfort involved in proposing alternatives to the religions he’s spent years degrading. His new book, whether discussing the poverty of spiritual language, the neurophysiology of consciousness, psychedelic experience, or the quandaries of the self, at the very least acknowledges the potency and importance of the religious impulse—though Harris might name it differently—that fundamental and common instinct to seek not just an answer to life, but a way to live that answer.” (Trevor Quirk, The New Republic). “The great value and novelty of this book is that Harris, in a simple but rigorous style, takes the middle way between these pseudoscientific and pseudo-spiritual assertions . It will shake up your most fundamental beliefs about everyday experience, and it just might change your life.” (Paul Bloom, Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Yale University and author of "Just Babies: The Origins of Good and Evil" ). “Waking Up is a rigorous, kind, clear, and witty book that will point you toward the selflessness that is our original nature.” (Stephen Mitchell ). “Sam Harris points out the rational methodology for exploring the nature of consciousness and for experiencing a transformative understanding of possibilities. “As a neuroscientist, Sam Harris shows how our egos are illusions, diffuse products of brain activity, and as a long-term practitioner of meditation, he shows how abandoning this illusion can wake us up to a richer life, more connected to everything around us.” (Jerry Coyne, Professor of Biology at the University of Chicago and author of "Why Evolution is True" ). The book’s length is one of its charms: He never belabors any one topic or idea, sticking around exactly as long as he needs to in order to lay out his argument (and tackle the rebuttals that it will inevitably provoke) and not a page longer.” —Washington Post. “This is an inspiring book, holding out as it does the possibility of a rational understanding of how to construct the good life with the aid of science, free from the accretions of religious superstition and cultural coercion.” —Financial Times. He has the rare ability to frame arguments that are not only stimulating, they are downright nourishing… His discussions will provoke secular liberals and religious conservatives alike, who jointly argue from different perspectives that there always will be an unbridgeable chasm between merely knowing what is and discerning what should be. As was the case with Harris’ previous books, readers are bound to come away with previously firm convictions about the world challenged, and a vital new awareness about the nature and value of science and reason in our lives.” —Lawrence M. Krauss, Foundation Professor and Director of the ASU Origins Project at Arizona State University, author of The Physics of Star Trek, and, Quantum Man: Richard Feynman’s Life in Science. Harris makes a powerful case for a morality that is based on human flourishing and thoroughly enmeshed with science and rationality. “Expanding upon concepts posited in the End of Faith and Free Will , neuroscientist Harris draws from personal contemplative practice and a growing body of scientific research to argue that the self, the feeling that there is an “I” residing in one’s head, is both an illusion and the primary cause of human suffering…. The great value and novelty of this book is that Harris, in a simple but rigorous style, takes the middle way between… pseudoscientific and pseudospiritual assertions, cogently maintaining that while such contemplative insights provide no evidence for metaphysical claims, they are available, and seeing them for ourselves leads to a profoundly more salubrious life.” (Publishers Weekly). Sam Harris is the author of the bestselling books The End of Faith , Letter to a Christian Nation , The Moral Landscape , Free Will , and Lying . Dr. Harris is cofounder and CEO of Project Reason, a nonprofit foundation devoted to spreading scientific knowledge and secular values in society.
Reviews
"Especially when as a young Buddhist one of the first things I remember learning is Buddha's admonishment to "Never believe in Dogma. When you just take that teaching into heart and try on the concepts Karma & Reincarnation; it makes the 8 fold noble path a moot point. Between Sam Harris and Stephen Batchelor's writing they extend the Buddhas admonishment for experiential learning by applying 21st century rationality to the inquiry. These two writers and their writing gives a good intellectual foundation to wade into spirituality with healthy dose of 21st century agnosticism."
"I grew up in a Christian family and then earned degrees in Philosophy and Neuroscience."
"Perhaps most important because Sam Harris has, for the past several years, been a strong and outspoken critic of organized religion of all stripes. If Harris kept his message in this same vein, he would stay safe and continue to be accepted as a credible spokesman for the atheist perspective for a long time to come. Harris is a long-time (25+ years) meditator, seeker after wisdom, student of a variety of spiritual practices and disciple of various teachers and gurus in several Eastern traditions. Two of the funniest parts, having to do with burst pipes and a rat in Kathmandu, demonstrate that he can easily poke fun at himself. First he tears down every organized religion known to man as a bunch of irrational, destructive beliefs that only harm society, and then he takes the position that on the other hand, authentic spirituality is the most worthy pursuit one can possibly engage in. To say that this book is a watershed moment for spirituality might be hyperbole, but just as Harris made it safer for atheists to come out of the closet, he does the same for those on the path of awakening."
"One of the biggest questions that really stuck with me after reading this book was "Is there a form of happiness beyond the mere repetition of pleasure and avoidance of pain? The facts pointed out by Sam Harris on the split brain are amazing and was the cause of some great discussions with my peers. I agree that there isn't a region of the brain that holds a seat for a soul known as self for us to talk to when we are lost in thought or just speaking out."
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Best Spiritual Growth Self-Help

The Alchemist
A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." The charming tale of Santiago, a shepherd boy, who dreams of seeing the world, is compelling in its own right, but gains resonance through the many lessons Santiago learns during his adventures.
Reviews
"After deciding to travel to a Romani fortune-teller in a nearby town to discover its meaning, a gypsy woman tells him that there is a treasure in the Pyramids in Egypt. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is.”. The Alchemist Physical CoverAlong the journey, Santiago meets an Englishman who is in search of an Alchemist and together they continue their search for treasure. The essential message is that treasure is more worthy than gold."
"I purchased and began reading this book 2 years ago and, for whatever reason, I couldn't get into it."
"The boy makes connections with various people and nature and the ebb and flow of life learning to listen to omens or signs as well as his heart."
"Reading this a couple weeks after I moved to a new state for the first time really opened my eyes."
"The style of guidebook reminds me of the Little Prince."
"This is the only book I have ever read front to cover without stopping.. seriously, I could not put it down."
"The trek from Spain to Egypt and the people encountered lend credence to the premise that he is seeking a treasure."
"Nothing too complex or difficult to understand so worth the family reading if you like fables."
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Best Women's Personal Spiritual Growth

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, andLead
From thought leader Dr. Brené Brown, a transformative new vision for the way we lead, love, work, parent, and educate that teaches us the power of vulnerability. Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable or to dare greatly. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena—whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation. Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen. --Seth Godin, New York Times bestselling author. ''The brilliantly insightful Brene Brown draws upon extensive research and personal experience to explore the paradoxes of courage: we become strong by embracing vulnerability, we dare more greatly when we acknowledge our fear. '' Daring Greatly is an important book--a timely warning about the danger of pursuing certainty and control above all. Brene Brown offers all of us a valuable guide to the real reward of vulnerability: greater courage.''. The invitation in this book is clear: We must be larger than anxiety, fear, and shame if we want to speak, act, and show up. The world needs this book and Brene's unique blend of warmth, humor, and ass-kicking makes her the perfect person to inspire us to dare greatly.''. So when she definitively lands on the one most important value we can cultivate for professional success, relationship health, parental joy, and courageous, passionate living . Brene Brown shines a bright light into these dark recesses of human emotion and reveals how these feelings can gnaw at fulfillment in education, at work, and in the home. If you're a student, teacher, parent, employer, employee, or just alive and wanting to live more fully, you should read this book. ''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. ''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. She has spent the past sixteen years studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy and is the author of three #1 New York Times bestsellers – The Gifts of Imperfection , Daring Greatly , and Rising Strong . Her latest book, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and The Courage to Stand Alone , will be released Fall 2017.
Reviews
"Last week I was sitting outside a coffee shop reading a book on my kindle when a youngish guy walked by carrying a coffee and a computer, looking for a place to sit. I promptly went back to my reading but I could feel his eyes boring into me as I anticipated the dreaded question. There's just something about the vast amount of information that I'm pressured to wrap into one or two sentences that completely overwhelms and paralyzes me. Part of me was tempted to lie to youngish guy by replying, "oh, it's just some silly novel." Allowing myself to be vulnerable led Patrick and I into a conversation for the next hour. Patrick, if you're reading this, c'était une joie pour vous rencontrer. This moment of unabashed vulnerability with Patrick was the beginning of a major shift in my life. She reinforces what I've known all along but been afraid of admitting--that vulnerability leads to happiness. Following Brene's advice and expertise garnered through her research and life stories, truly does work. It was the reading of Daring Greatly that prompted me to finally divulge my long kept secret of my history with an eating disorder; which wound up being my highest trafficked blog post of all time. If any of these questions ring true then I hope you'll read this book for yourself."
"In fact, "Vulnerability is the the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experiences." The main concern of Wholehearted men and women is living a life defined by courage, compassion, and connection. It comes down to this: If we don't embrace vulnerability, we are destined to live a lonely, detached, unfulfilling life. Wholehearted Parenting: Daring to Be the Adults We Want Our Children to Be. - Final Thoughts. - Appendix -- Trust in Emergence: Grounded Theory and My Research Process. - Practicing Gratitude. Daring Greatly doesn't focus on the area of love and relationships, but it offers invaluable tools for deepening our love partnerships. For going deeper into vulnerability in the context of a romantic relationship, check out The Couple's Survival Workbook: What You Can Do To Reconnect With Your Partner and Make Your Marriage Work by Olsen and Stephens. More generally, if you're interested in Browne's concept of Wholehearted living -- the contextual framework of Daring Greatly -- check out The Gifts of Imperfection. It's not altogether easy, but it's deeply relieving to understand that this essential skill is not about simply stepping out under a hail of deadly arrows. It's about leaving behind lonely and fearful self-interest, having courage that deeper connection eagerly awaits us."
"I have just stepped up in an area of my life that I found so difficult ( the fear of rejection was huge) and I am so happy to have had the courage to do that from reading this book."
"It's very interesting to see how shame runs through cultures, homes, friendships, work environments, personal talk, etc."
"Brené is a champion for change and this book is a gateway for all of us to join her quest for us to be intentional, courageous, change-makers!"
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Best Divination & Personal Growth

Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead
Whether we know it or not, we all experience the touch of the Divine in our lives every single day. Why do I feel so alone?” And often, “Who am I really?” For the passionately spiritual and the bemusedly skeptical alike, she created Outrageous Openness . Tosha Silver has a beautiful, believable, honest voice, and she is a delightful companion.” (Tama Kieves best-selling author of Inspired & Unstoppable: Wildly Succeeding in Your Life’s Work!). "This book offers readers a highly unusual gift – a way to release the exhausting pursuit of the ego’s wishes and dreams, a path to living with joy, peace and contentment. Tosha Silver's wisdom goes down as easy as a mint milkshake and leaves you feeling so free you'll want to do cartwheels on the beach. "Tosha Silver is an empathetic guide along the ever-present seam between the everyday and the sacred, letting us know that we can pull a thread of aliveness for ourselves at any time." She graduated from Yale with a degree in English Literature but along the way fell madly in love with metaphysics and yogic philosophy. This book is adapted from her popular column at Examiner.com, a top 100 website that reaches over 37 million unique visitors a month.
Reviews
"It is her stories that crack open my faulty follow through and teach me to relax into my own "outrageous openness" of ability. I read this book yesterday and didn't want it to end, but when it did, I knew, KNEW I had the tools I'd been seeking since 1997 to live a wide open life! I thank all the authors and spirit guides I've read previously, but I tell you, this book will show you the way through Tosha's easy, clear, fun and no strings attached honesty and ridiculously righteous power. At the end of the story, the woman is moving and catches a string of lights from the garage next to her and rather than stopping, lets the string rip off the garage exterior as Tosha and the other tenants watch the commotion trailing behind her. Outrageous Openness frees me to live a life open to prayer, help, and miracles 24/7."
"Tosha Silver uses clear direct real-life examples to embody the philosophy that (a) those on the spiritual path are here to learn from experiences, not force God to be a personal Santa Claus (b) your attitude transforms your experiences."
"Tosha Silver understands at a deep level that we can and should invoke the Divine with confidence at any time, all the time."
"Read it for book club, and was so sad when it was over."
"Outrageously outstanding read!"
"Halfway through reading the book I decided I needed to own it."
"The author shares stories from her own life that more than illuminate what it feels like to live in relationship with divine flow."
"Realizing that the universe WANTS GOOD THINGS for you, so we can let go and allow inspiration to come instead of making long to-do lists and taking frantic action. And one of my favorite concepts that I use all the time, is that worrying about someone is like sending an express mail package of muck and mildew to them."
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Best Spiritual Healing

The Secret
By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible. Detractors will be appalled by this as well as when the book argues that fleeting negative thoughts are powerful enough to create terminal illness, poverty and even widespread disasters. The audio version of this controversial book, read by Byrne and contributing authors such as John Gray and Neale Donald Walsch, is uneven at best. Mostly, this audio is hampered by its confusing and disjointed organization—techniques that worked reasonably well in the print version and the movie, such as cutting every few seconds from one enthusiastic expert to another, make for a choppy and somewhat bewildering listening experience.
Reviews
"When I first began to read this book I honestly thought it was a crock and a waste of my time and money. When I initially disagreed with one of the authors viewpoint with in the book and scrutinized another's personal life through research I was almost stop reading, but I decided to continue reading anyway. As the book unraveled and began to reveal "The Secret," and how to apply it into my life immediately, I allowed myself to be open in receiving whatever insight I could in order to help me overcome several difficulties in my life and achieve a better quality of life overall. This is a life changing book and I see why it has sold millions and millions of copies around the world."
"When I do my evening gratitude exercises, I feel like I am writing the most important chart of my life. And it helps to sleep better :). I also picked a special pen, and now the whole process becomes sacred."
"I like this little book a lot but i think i will be regifting it as reading pages of The Secret book on a daily basis is enough for me."
"This is a great way to start your day and stay focused."
"mother-in-law loves the movie so we bought her the book for Christmas."
"I chose this rating due to liking the material, this is what I want to study and felt attracted to, is not a coincidence that you are one with the Uniververse."
"This was a very interesting book I forced myself yo keep an open mind on the concepts."
"Great read and useful ideas to try."
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Best Family & Personal Growth

The Success Principles(TM) - 10th Anniversary Edition: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Get ready to transform yourself for success with #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Canfield! Praise for the first Edition of The Success Principles: “Canfield’s principles are simple, but the results you’ll achieve will be extraordinary!” (Anthony Robbins, author of Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power). “If you could read only one book this year, you have it in your hands.” (Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Swim with the Sharks without Being Eaten Alive). “I have personally learned a lot from Jack Canfield and I trust you will too.” (John Gray, Ph.., author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus). Since its publication a decade ago, Jack Canfield's practical and inspiring guide has become a classic that has helped hundreds of thousands of people achieve success. The Success Principles ™ will teach you how to increase your confidence, tackle daily challenges, live with passion and purpose, and realize all your ambitions. Not merely a collection of good ideas, this book spells out the 67 timeless principles and practices used by the world's most successful men and women.
Reviews
"First, he lost his millions including his friend and went broke and in debt after reading the book what he learn from his employer is opposite on the book. Believe it or not I learn to maintain my prayer, meditation, my intuition as I learn from the book, the Dr. formula of events, my core genius, the yellow alert that is how I discover Law of Attraction after reading the book on February and end after 2 or 3 weeks."
"this is the perfect book if you want complete success."
"This one book is a very complete "collection" of the many principles that have been around for a long time; it is the most Complete Collection I know of."
"Excellent book!"
"Excellent read great read for anyone who want to learn the steps to improve their quality on life I enjoyed the read although its a lot but trust me its worth the read my life changed from read this book!"
"Even before I have finished reading the book, my husband and I are seeing the Law of Attraction in work. My husband and I were able to renegotiate a contract (that had come to an end), with a 50% increase over the previous amount. A client that was closing down distribution points throughout the Caribbean due to the slow down in business, reconsidered and allowed us to continue, after we were able to show them the benefits to them of keeping our distribution point."
"I have the original version and it's worth every penny."
"This book is filled from cover to cover with practical advice for making positive changes in your life."
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