Inspiring reflective books

I find that books in different stages of my life, have offered me inspiration and guidance throughout my life.

I continue to look out for recommended books that can offer inspiration and allow me to reflect. I often share inspirational quotes from the books I have read on my facebook page, pinterest and with my clients.

Today, on National Library Day, I thought I would share a couple of my favourite books I keep close to hand.

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran’s

This book was given to me by a dear friend when we were working together in South Africa in the mid 90’s.  At the time I was coping with a bereavement and the words in the book offered great comfort.

Since then I have found that the book has helped me during different stages on my life and has become my best inspirational book. I have found the more I read it and share it with my clients the more I come to understand the words.

It talks about love, family, work and death. The words give inspiration and comfort to many of my clients.

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”

The Road Less Travelled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth (Classic Edition) by Scott Peck

This book famously begins with the words ‘Life is difficult’ and takes you on  a life profound journey. It reveals that once we know the worst then we are free to see what is beyond.

The book looks at our spiritual growth, love, parenting and relationships and puts self-discipline at the top of the list of our values.  This is a book is for anyone who is willing to open themselves to the pain of change and challenge.  It is a book that I often delve into and just choose the sections that I wish to read.

“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

This hugely influential autobiography about the early years of African-American writer and poet Maya Angelou describes the struggles she endures from an early age and her passage into growing into a young woman.

It can be an uncomfortable read at times but it takes you beyond the darkness as the book but gives you a powerful sense of hope in the reader.  It is an inspirational book giving many motivational quotes as Maya shows you can shine through whatever is thrown at you.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

 What books or quotes inspire you? Do you find quotes helpful?

 

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