My Top 5 Favorite Books That Changed My Life

None of us are born with awareness and knowledge. We gain it through exploring, experiences, and by seeking things out to study. Today I thought I'd share with you my top five favorite books as each of them has changed my life in a different way. 

1. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - Richard Carlson

This book is my absolute favorite, and it is full of gold. It's written in an easy to read format of 100 different tips to lessen your stress, put things in perspective, and to lighten your heart. It's a quick read, or you can savor it by reading 1 tip a day and trying to implement that.

This is a book I re-read once a year and reference throughout the year as needed. I keep one copy for myself and have one copy at hand to give away to someone who may need it. I remember reading this book for the first time. I felt like it was written just for me, and that I could directly relate to the first 40 things he listed. 

2.  The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin is a happiness expert. This book chronicles her one year journey to conquer her "midlife malaise" by improving her happiness. She focuses on one area of life per month.  

• January- Boost Energy
• February - Remember Love
• March - Aim Higher
• April - Lighten Up
• May - Be Serious About Play
• June- Make Time For Friends
• July - Buy Some Happiness
• August - Contemplate the Heavens
• September- Pursue a Passion
• October - Pay Attention (mindfulness)
• November - Keep a Contented Heart
• December - Boot Camp Perfect

I loved her list called "Secrets of Adulthood" (facts that she realized about life) and her "12 Commandments" (a list of rules she wrote to live by).  It inspired me to write my own. I also really liked how she broke down clutter into different categories, aspirational clutter, crutch clutter, outgrown clutter, buyer's remorse clutter, freebie clutter, bargain clutter, conservation clutter, and nostalgic clutter.

3. The Harry Potter Series - JK Rowling

Not much needs to be said here, other than I'm a proud Gryffindor, I may have 2 wands, and I make a very cute Hermione at Halloween!

If you are wondering how they changed my life, I'd say that they keep me young at heart. The books transport you into a different world and I enjoyed the underlying themes of the series.

4.Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself- Dr. Joe Dispenza

This book is INTENSE. I describe this book as quantum physics meets self-help. I'd recommend the audio version of this book. Put it on and go for a walk.

In the last 1/3 of this book, Dr. Dispenza teaches you how to meditate. 

The message of this book is: Everything is created twice. First in your mind and second in reality. If you want something different in your life you have to think differently and become someone different 

5. The Simple Path to Wealth - J.L. Collins

If you find investing as intimidating as I did, this book is for you. I've been burned a few times in the past with financial advisors who had their interests ahead of mine. This book helped me take back my power, it educated me on all the hidden fees that they often pass onto you unknowingly. It gave me the confidence to do my own retirement planning and investing. You don't need to go that far and do everything yourself but, you should know enough to understand what your financial planner has you invested in and you need to know what questions to ask. It's truly a must-read.

I hope that you get a chance to read at least one of these books.  I'd love to hear from you if you do. Join the Facebook group and share your thoughts.