Favorite Books for Living Your Purpose
Many of my clients have found that reading during the summer months is a wonderful way to encourage introspection. The five books that I recommend here all have a theme of helping you to identify and live your purpose and passion in daily life. They are easy reads, chock full of ideas, tips and exercises, and thought provoking questions. Most of all, these books espouse an approach to life that is positive and meaningful. Many of them have been mentioned in past e-series topics, in the resource section; however, I thought that providing more details, and creating a 'short list' of books specifically focusing on purpose and meaning, would be helpful if these themes are resonating with you at this time.
A note about the exercises: some of my clients tell me that their only time for self-exploration is when they are off in the summer, and they have the time to enjoy and work through the variety of exercises to choose from in each book. Other clients want to skip the exercises for now, and find lots of value from the reading itself. Many of my clients keep a journal so they can access ideas they want to implement as they focus on aligning who they are with what they do throughout the year.
#1: The Energy of Money: A Spiritual Guide to Financial and Personal Fulfillment, by Maria Nemeth, Ph. D. Wellspring/Ballantine (1997).
There is more to this book than learning about money. There are twelve principles that will lead you on a spiritual journey and help you see 'who you really are.' Money is the example illustrated; however, all of the concepts and tools help you to use all forms of energy (including money, time, creativity, physical vitality, enjoyment, and relationship) in a way that reflects the intentions that have meaning for you. The book helps you take those intentions from 'metaphysical reality' to 'physical reality’ by creating goals that bring you joy. You will see how to recognize the internal conversations ('monkey mind') that get in your way, and how to move your attention to thoughts and beliefs that move you toward your dreams and goals. You will discover your 'standards of integrity' and learn what it means to be on a 'hero’s journey.'
This book is very powerful in helping you to examine your ways of thinking about yourself and others, and how to forgive. It uses very clear examples and stories that will help you to see new possibilities for financial and personal fulfillment.
If you want to reframe how you think about how you are using your energy, and find more satisfaction in life, this book will provide many of the answers and give you food for thought for a long time.
#2: LifeLaunch: A Passionate Guide to the Rest of Your Life, by F.M. Hudson and P. McLean. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Hudson Institute Press (1996).
This book provides a roadmap so that you can continuously renew your life and know what to expect as you go through small and large transitions. A model is provided to help you understand the Cycle of Renewal, along with the skills and tasks you need to accomplish in order move forward on your path.
If you want to identify your purpose, passions, where you have been, and where you are going, you will gain insight from reading this book as well as doing the exercises. The concepts are simple to understand and identify with, and may give you new ways to think about how to align who you are with what you do, especially during times of change.
#3: The Power of Purpose: Creating Meaning in Your Life and Work, by Richard J. Leider. Berrett-Koehler Publishers (1997).
#4: Whistle While You Work: Heeding Your Life's Calling, by Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro. Berrett-Koehler Publishers (2001).
Both of these books will make you think about your purpose and your calling. They bring home the point that purpose and calling are not job titles; they are both within you, just waiting to be discovered. Both books ask very compelling questions and offer strategies to help you identify your unique contributions and gifts. Leider provides powerful stories that will encourage you and provide ideas for thinking about what you are meant to do. He gives concrete advice so you can incorporate your calling into your day-to-day life.
#5: I Will Not Die an Unlived Life: Reclaiming Purpose and Passion, by Dawna Markova. Conari Press (2000).
Markova takes us on her own personal journey in a poetic style that captures our attention from the beginning. She writes from a cabin in Utah, where she is in solitude for several months, so that she can ask herself (and us) the very profound questions that encourage us to slow down and look inside. She sees that the “Western world is caught up in doing, doing, doing, doing - we become trained to do, in order to have, so in some distant future we can be.”
Markova brings us back to a place of silence and soul searching, so we can discover passion, love, the lessons of loss and anger, places that we still need to heal, what has brought fulfillment in our lives, and how we are all connected in community. Her near death experience and the quotes and stories are inspiring and moving. They are questions to ponder, more than answer.
Happy reading!
COPYRIGHT AND PUBLISHER INFORMATION
© Carole Rehbock. All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission from the publisher.
Carole Rehbock works with leaders, teams and individuals to facilitate forward motion to produce results. Learn more at www.rehbocksolutions.com or give her a call at 510-843-6417.
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