I've finally carved out some time to read the past couple of weeks - something I truly joy. I have to admit, I've been very slow in jumping on this bandwagon. But after hearing from several people that "Eat, Pray, Love" is a must-read, I snatched it up from my library.
I can't lie - I wasn't blown over by this book and disagreed with several ideas throughout it. However, I found some little nuggets spread throughout that made it very worthwhile. I had some "Ah ha" moments.
Such as her theories on pleasure and differentiating it from entertainment. I also gleamed useful insight from her approach to spirituality. While I didn't see eye-to-eye with some of her methods - I appreciated her simplicity and focus. Definitely something that I needed to hear and apply to my own life.
I realized the importance of recognizing when it's time to surrender and when it's time to take control. That's huge, for me.
I believe we can all relate in one form or another and we've all been through similar experiences in our lives so if I can tuck away some honest advice and words of wisdom for a rainy day, I'm all over that. And that's what this book gave me ~ a pocket full of insight.
I hope it doesn't take me as many years to see the movie as it did to read the book. I guess I'm a little behind the times and I'm alright with that. :)
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Monday, September 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Latest Book
As some of you know, I challenged myself to read a minimum of two books per month for 2010. It's my way of feeding my brain, challenging myself and enjoying one of my favorite hobbies. I'm a true bookworm at heart.
I wanted to share a great book I read during March - "The Great Eight: How to be Happy" by Scott Hamilton. You might recognize the name since Scott is a famous Olympic ice skater with tons of medals and honors.
This was one of the most inspirational books I have read. It amazed me that someone who has had such a tumultuous, difficult journey at times could be so full of joy and gratefulness. He has chosen life and happiness over fear and bitterness. We have all experienced or will experience trials and valleys since life is not perfect, and it can be extremely hard to walk through those seasons of life trying to find the good and positive. My dad was recently diagnosed with cancer and is having surgery this week. I know how hard it is to put these words into practice and write them on your heart. I discovered this book at just the right time, definitely not a coincidence.
If you are looking for a book that could lift your spirit and help you appreciate your gift of life, this is definitely a must read. I realize how easy it is to fall in our own traps - traps of pity parties, jealousy, placing importance on non-important things (speaking from my own life). I've discovered that it's not good for me to dwell on why or how come, but instead how will this change me for the better and how can I give to others?
I never want to push a book or my beliefs on anyone, only share what works for me in hopes it might work for someone else too. Happy reading!
I wanted to share a great book I read during March - "The Great Eight: How to be Happy" by Scott Hamilton. You might recognize the name since Scott is a famous Olympic ice skater with tons of medals and honors.
This was one of the most inspirational books I have read. It amazed me that someone who has had such a tumultuous, difficult journey at times could be so full of joy and gratefulness. He has chosen life and happiness over fear and bitterness. We have all experienced or will experience trials and valleys since life is not perfect, and it can be extremely hard to walk through those seasons of life trying to find the good and positive. My dad was recently diagnosed with cancer and is having surgery this week. I know how hard it is to put these words into practice and write them on your heart. I discovered this book at just the right time, definitely not a coincidence.
If you are looking for a book that could lift your spirit and help you appreciate your gift of life, this is definitely a must read. I realize how easy it is to fall in our own traps - traps of pity parties, jealousy, placing importance on non-important things (speaking from my own life). I've discovered that it's not good for me to dwell on why or how come, but instead how will this change me for the better and how can I give to others?
I never want to push a book or my beliefs on anyone, only share what works for me in hopes it might work for someone else too. Happy reading!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Nuggets of Wisdom
I started my Spring cleaning this week. Let me tell you, it was long overdue!
While cleaning my bedroom I discovered a stash of my favorite quotes, sayings and expressions that I've collected over the years. Whenever something speaks to me or resonates with my own life, I either write it down or rip it out. I've found great nuggets of wisdom from magazines, desktop calendars, anywhere, and everywhere.
So from time to time, I'll share some of them with you. Hopefully they'll speak to you right where you need it. Who can't use some uplifting and encouraging words?
Friendship
Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words - but pouring them
All right out - just as they are -
Chaff and grain together -
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them -
Keep what is worth keeping -
And with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.
by Dina Maria Mulock Craik
While cleaning my bedroom I discovered a stash of my favorite quotes, sayings and expressions that I've collected over the years. Whenever something speaks to me or resonates with my own life, I either write it down or rip it out. I've found great nuggets of wisdom from magazines, desktop calendars, anywhere, and everywhere.
So from time to time, I'll share some of them with you. Hopefully they'll speak to you right where you need it. Who can't use some uplifting and encouraging words?
Friendship
Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words - but pouring them
All right out - just as they are -
Chaff and grain together -
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them -
Keep what is worth keeping -
And with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.
by Dina Maria Mulock Craik
Thursday, February 18, 2010
February Reading
Those of you that check in here on a regular basis, know that one of my goals for 2010 is to consistently feed my love of reading. I want to read a minimum of two books per month. I've already met my goal for this month and couldn't have picked a better selection.
The first book I read was Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover. My husband and I were first inspired by this guy in November, 2008. Since then, his principles have completely changed our financial situation and outlook. We are debt free (except for our mortgage), have an emergency savings established, have investigated and gotten the appropriate insurance coverages, and are now saving for our next car so we can pay outright for it (no more payments & interest for us!).
We've done all this by establishing a bi-monthly budget (something we never did before and is actually VERY easy!) and now tell our money where it's going. We've learned to live within our means and have discovered that when doing so, you really don't have to do without because your priorities will have changed. I can't tell you what a blessing this has been!
I already knew most of the ideas/concepts in this book and have put them into practice, but it was great reinforcement and encouragement to continue down this path. There are tons of actual, real-life stories from everyday people like you and me that help put everything into perspective. Plus, I got some more great ideas regarding retirement planning. A definite must-read!
The other book I read was Kirk Cameron's Still Growing autobiography. I loved "Growing Pain's" when I was a kid so I couldn't wait to read this book. I have to admit I was even more interested in his family and spiritual life though. Him and his wife have six children (yikes!) and live such a devoted Christ-following lifestyle. For anyone that is currently going through a spiritual search or wants to be uplifted, this book is for you.
The first half talks about his childhood and life on the show. It seems to jump around a lot by subject which I found a pain to follow. I would have preferred chronological age order, but no biggee. His faith story is in the second half of the book along with insight into his marriage and daily life.
Kirk is a very bold person and stands strong for his beliefs. This is something I really admire and made the book so enjoyable for me. In our society, celebrities are put on pedestals and money/possessions define their status. If we were all honest, we would admit most of us follow in this suit as well (to different degrees). It's great to see a person that has broken out of that mold, holds true to his convictions and lives them out on a daily basis. Very inspiring!
The first book I read was Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover. My husband and I were first inspired by this guy in November, 2008. Since then, his principles have completely changed our financial situation and outlook. We are debt free (except for our mortgage), have an emergency savings established, have investigated and gotten the appropriate insurance coverages, and are now saving for our next car so we can pay outright for it (no more payments & interest for us!).
We've done all this by establishing a bi-monthly budget (something we never did before and is actually VERY easy!) and now tell our money where it's going. We've learned to live within our means and have discovered that when doing so, you really don't have to do without because your priorities will have changed. I can't tell you what a blessing this has been!
I already knew most of the ideas/concepts in this book and have put them into practice, but it was great reinforcement and encouragement to continue down this path. There are tons of actual, real-life stories from everyday people like you and me that help put everything into perspective. Plus, I got some more great ideas regarding retirement planning. A definite must-read!
The other book I read was Kirk Cameron's Still Growing autobiography. I loved "Growing Pain's" when I was a kid so I couldn't wait to read this book. I have to admit I was even more interested in his family and spiritual life though. Him and his wife have six children (yikes!) and live such a devoted Christ-following lifestyle. For anyone that is currently going through a spiritual search or wants to be uplifted, this book is for you.
The first half talks about his childhood and life on the show. It seems to jump around a lot by subject which I found a pain to follow. I would have preferred chronological age order, but no biggee. His faith story is in the second half of the book along with insight into his marriage and daily life.
Kirk is a very bold person and stands strong for his beliefs. This is something I really admire and made the book so enjoyable for me. In our society, celebrities are put on pedestals and money/possessions define their status. If we were all honest, we would admit most of us follow in this suit as well (to different degrees). It's great to see a person that has broken out of that mold, holds true to his convictions and lives them out on a daily basis. Very inspiring!
Monday, January 25, 2010
And More Reading
So I'm finishing up my second book for the month, "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" by Jeff Hertzberg. I have to tell you, this is the best bread baking book (say that fast five times!) I've ever seen. The title is true to it's word.
I've always shied away from homebaked bread because of it's tedious and long process. But this book proved me wrong.
The idea is to mix a huge batch of dough on one day (quick & easy) and then you store it in your fridge for up to two weeks. Whenever you want a loaf of bread for dinner, take it out to rise for about 45 minutes and then just pop it in your oven for 30 minutes. What makes the process so easy is that you don't have to proof your dough, knead it, or any of that stuff. It's absolutely wonderful. I was also thinking this would work great for people that work outside the home - just make your dough over the weekend and then have fresh bread ready during the week.
The book suggests having a bread baking stone so your bottom crust will be crisp and crunchy. I just used a Pampered Chef stoneware dish and it turned out fine. You could even use a cookie sheet. I opted to brush some olive oil and salt on our bread as it was baking too. It was super yummy!
I'd include a picture but couldn't get one because that's how fast my family ate it up! But I have enough to make about four more loaves throughout this week. Anyone that truly knows me knows my childhood nickname was "starch queen". My family used to say I could live on potates and bread so I'm lovin' this!
Hope you give it a try too~
I've always shied away from homebaked bread because of it's tedious and long process. But this book proved me wrong.
The idea is to mix a huge batch of dough on one day (quick & easy) and then you store it in your fridge for up to two weeks. Whenever you want a loaf of bread for dinner, take it out to rise for about 45 minutes and then just pop it in your oven for 30 minutes. What makes the process so easy is that you don't have to proof your dough, knead it, or any of that stuff. It's absolutely wonderful. I was also thinking this would work great for people that work outside the home - just make your dough over the weekend and then have fresh bread ready during the week.
The book suggests having a bread baking stone so your bottom crust will be crisp and crunchy. I just used a Pampered Chef stoneware dish and it turned out fine. You could even use a cookie sheet. I opted to brush some olive oil and salt on our bread as it was baking too. It was super yummy!
I'd include a picture but couldn't get one because that's how fast my family ate it up! But I have enough to make about four more loaves throughout this week. Anyone that truly knows me knows my childhood nickname was "starch queen". My family used to say I could live on potates and bread so I'm lovin' this!
Hope you give it a try too~
Monday, January 11, 2010
Reading
I love to read. I would so much rather read a good book than watch tv. And when I find a book I really like, I can't help but pass it on and share it with others.
One of my goals for 2010 is to read two books per month. This may not seem like a lot, but when you run your own business and stay at home with two children, reading seems to fall by the wayside too much. I've decided to make it more of a priority this year for so many reasons. It helps me to relax and rejuvenate. I love getting into the characters' minds (something you can't always do with a movie) and experiencing different places and experiences. And anything that helps improve my life management skills is a definite plus.
So, I've already finished my first book. It's titled, "29 Gifts, How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life" by Cami Walker. This is a non-fiction book and very easy read. I was done after three days!!
The book is about a woman in her early thirties that gets married. One month after their wedding day, she experiences some terrible symptoms and is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The book goes through her journey of diagnosis, then anger and self-pity to acceptance and growth.
Through it all, she decided to implement a healing process recommended by a friend. She had to give a gift away every day for 29 days. The premise is to get away from a self-centered world and focus your attention on what you have to offer others, how you can brighten others' days, and how rewarding it is to mindfully give a gift to another.
I got a lot of inspiration from this book. I didn't agree with all of her spiritual practices but still learned a lot. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something that makes you think differently, stretches you a little, and reminds you of what's most important in life.
The book costs about $13-19, depending on where you buy it. But I feel that the money is not wasted because it's the type of book that can be passed on repeatedly and read over again.
Happy Reading!
One of my goals for 2010 is to read two books per month. This may not seem like a lot, but when you run your own business and stay at home with two children, reading seems to fall by the wayside too much. I've decided to make it more of a priority this year for so many reasons. It helps me to relax and rejuvenate. I love getting into the characters' minds (something you can't always do with a movie) and experiencing different places and experiences. And anything that helps improve my life management skills is a definite plus.
So, I've already finished my first book. It's titled, "29 Gifts, How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life" by Cami Walker. This is a non-fiction book and very easy read. I was done after three days!!
The book is about a woman in her early thirties that gets married. One month after their wedding day, she experiences some terrible symptoms and is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The book goes through her journey of diagnosis, then anger and self-pity to acceptance and growth.
Through it all, she decided to implement a healing process recommended by a friend. She had to give a gift away every day for 29 days. The premise is to get away from a self-centered world and focus your attention on what you have to offer others, how you can brighten others' days, and how rewarding it is to mindfully give a gift to another.
I got a lot of inspiration from this book. I didn't agree with all of her spiritual practices but still learned a lot. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something that makes you think differently, stretches you a little, and reminds you of what's most important in life.
The book costs about $13-19, depending on where you buy it. But I feel that the money is not wasted because it's the type of book that can be passed on repeatedly and read over again.
Happy Reading!
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