Feeding the Soul: Fave books from this year

I want to share with you some of my favorite books that I've discovered and read in these past few months of 2019.

These readings have expanded the way I lead my life, given me new perspectives on what it means to take responsibility for my actions, and shown me how beautiful life can be even among all the chaos and uncertainty.

So without further ado, here are my top four readings of 2019:

1. Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

I've written about this book in a previous post before and I can't help but talk about it again (see here). This is definitely my Number #1 reading I've been treasuring since I discovered it early in 2019. If you are interested in understanding suffering, learning how to find meaning amongst the tragedies and set-backs life throws at you, or trying to find the motivation when you feel stuck or trapped, then this is the book for you.

"...the meaning of life always changes, but it never ceases to be. According to logo-therapy, we can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: (1) by creating a work or doing a deed; (2) by experiencing something or encountering someone; or (3) by the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering."

2. 12 Rules For Life - An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson

Are you feeling that all the relativism in today's society is leaving you empty and lost? Take up Jordan Peterson's new book (or any of his YouTube videos for that matter) and rediscover the rock-like truth you've been missing. These twelve rules will take you on a journey of self-discovery that will help you move you towards becoming a better version of yourself. There is only one question to ask yourself before you read it: Are you ready to take responsibility for your self?

"There is no enlightened one. There is only the one who is seeking further enlightenment. Proper Being is process, not a state; a journey, not a destination. It's the continual transformation of what you know, through encounter with that you don't know, rather than the desperate clinging to the certainty that is eternally insufficient in any case. Always place your becoming above your current being."

3. Outliers - The Story fo Success by Malcolm Gladwell

I was late in getting to this one (I think it was first published in 2008), but better late than never! This book really gave a fun perspective about how to look at success in my life and in the life of the people who surround me. It also allowed me to internalize how important it is to think about my attitude when facing all the happy and miserable moments in my life. Attitude and personality are as important as experience and ability.

"It is not the brightest who succeed. Nor is success simply the sum of the decisions and efforts we make on our own behalf. It is, rather, a gift. Outliers are those who have been given opportunities - and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them."

4. Becoming Wise - An Inquiry into the Mystery of Art and Living by Krista Tippet

I think the title of this one gives it all away. It is truly an enjoyable book for those seeking to learn a little more about how different dimensions of our lives can connect and affect all that we do (and become). It is not enough to simply know information. We must also strive to become wise with the knowledge we have learned. And that is an incredible journey we can all take only if we are willing to ask the right questions and to look for something greater than ourselves.

"The connective tissue of these pages is the language of virtue - an old-fashioned word, perhaps, but one that I find is magnetic to new generations, who instinctively grasp the need for practical disciplines to translate aspiration into action. Our spiritual traditions have carried virtues across time. They are not the stuff of saints and heroes, but tools for the art of living."

Trust the process. Live the commitment