I've had a rough year and need some inspiration - any ideas?

[HopeDream]

Hi Everyone,

This past year has worn me out . I've experienced many small to medium set-backs and lots of uncertainty . I would really like to get a new perspective on things and reclaim a spirit of adventure and my zest for life.

Can you recommend any books/other resources that have inspired you, change your life, or gotten you out of a rut? Something that lifted your heart or made you feel wild and free?

Thank you so Much !!!!!!
Love and appreciation,

HD

 

[TooPatient]

Re: I've had a rough year and need some inspiration - any id

I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. They have LOTS of them to choose from. The stories are wonderful and I like that they break the books up into categories so I can read what I need at the time.

 

[partgypsy]

Re: I've had a rough year and need some inspiration - any id

Me: watching birds. Seeing them chirping, flying, scrabbling on the ground trying to get that worm it lifts my heart.

this is not a book but something I got recently and it's good.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life
taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

 

[february2003bride]

Re: I've had a rough year and need some inspiration - any id

There is a book I'm currently reading called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. It's very religious (Christian) and it's been hard for me to get through it as someone who isn't very religious, but the basis of the book has really opened my eyes to certain things in life, and made me appreciate things, to let go of certain issues.

 

[merilenda]

Re: I've had a rough year and need some inspiration - any id

I read a book a few months ago called "Life is So Good" by George Dawson. It's an autobiography of a man who learned to read at age 98, and with the help of a biographer, wrote his memoirs at age 101. I thought it was very inspirational!

 

[HollyS]

Re: I've had a rough year and need some inspiration - any id

Okay, I don't want to sound like an old fart here, but . . . Jan Karon's Mitford series of books have always put life in perspective for me. They make me smile, and cry, and give me hope in others, myself, and God. When I need a little spiritual pick me up, in the guise of entertainment, I reach for these books.

 

[dragonfly411]

Re: I've had a rough year and need some inspiration - any id

Me: watching birds. Seeing them chirping, flying, scrabbling on the ground trying to get that worm it lifts my heart.

this is not a book but something I got recently and it's good.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life
taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Would you be willing to re post this in the daily inspiration thread gypsy?

 

[dragonfly411]

Re: I've had a rough year and need some inspiration - any id

Hopedream - I'd recommend a book called Dance of the Dissident Daughter. It is by Sue Monk Kidd who wrote The Secret Life of Bees. It is a biographical book about her venture to become a more independent minded woman. There were many things in it that helped me to become the same.