This is the time of year we need to feel loved and welcome- and we all want to change and make 2010 the best year ever! So, let’s make that happen this year. I’m asking people to send in their favorite inspirational and life changing books so that others can benifit from the author’s wisdom. The books can be faith based, funny, about bipolar disorder, memoir, weight management and more. I will look over all of the books before they are posted. Hmmmmm . Can I add my own books! 🙂
Julie
I will add the first one- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. This book profoundly changed my life as it taught me to take care of myself and stop worrying about why others do what they do. I will never know unless they choose to tell me. It also helped with my paranoia. It’s definitely an odd book to read at the beginning, but when you get to the four agreements, I think you will be amazed!
From Marian in Oregon: You can read her comments below:
This one is from Jack Young:
You can read more in the comments section. Julie
I have benefited so much from your book, “Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder.” I first borrowed it from our local library and decided it needed to be in my home library, so I bought my own copy. I’ve read it over several times, and still use it for specific issues as needed.
Hello Sandra, I have been thinking of you. Your comments and support mean so much to this blog! Please let everyone know how you are doing and your plans for the holidays. I know you love them. I have done quite a few holiday posts and your suggestions on how to make them the best ever would be helpful- as you know, it can be a rough time for those with depression. Julie
Boy, could I use help in this area…I’m going to look for this book. Thanks
Hi Kathy,
The Four Agreements so completely changed my life- I am forever thankful! You can get an unabridged version on CD as well- read by Don Miguel.
julie
Hi, Julie,
What a nice note you wrote! Thanks!
This holiday, I’m taking it a little bit easier. I’ve had several issues with my health lately that sort of demand that I take it easier until they’re resolved.
{Julie, don’t put this in your blog, but I was diagnosed with Horner’s Syndrome in November after I noticed one of my eyelids was droopy and my pupil in that eye wouldn’t dilate. MRI’s and CT scans confirmed that it was caused by a tear in the carotid artery, so I’m now taking anti-coagulants in the hope that the tear will heal on its own in six months. In the process of figuring out what this was, I also learned that I have a cataract in my right eye, which explains why my vision isn’t what it used to be, and a hiatal hernia. I have to laugh about all of this – I mean, it is rather funny that trying to determine the cause of one thing reveals something else!)
I’m definitely not upset that I have to take it easy- I don’t have to feel pressured to bake or shop frantically or mail out Christmas cards. Instead, I’m doing some devotional reading, listening to holiday music, driving around and enjoying everyone else’s Christmas lights.
This Saturday, I’m meeting my two best buddies (we used to live on the same street and our kids all grew up together) for shopping and an early dinner. It’s a tradition we do each December.
Last year, I asked my room mother (I’m a teacher) if she could sort of spread the word that, instead of giving holiday gifts for me, I would greatly appreciate it if donations could be made to a family I support in a very impoverished section of Allepey, India. This week, she asked me if I would like the same arrangements made and I told her I would LOVE it! I have everything I need and so much of what I want – it’s lovely to be able to provide for someone who is in such a difficult situation.
Let’s see…I’ve gone to my son’s winter band concert this evening and plan to go to the high school’s choral concert next week. Next Friday, all the choirs of our church gather together for our annual Festival of Praise, which is a very popular event. I am really looking forward to that!
I purchased a live wreath for our front door. This weekend, I shall decorate it with a miniature pineapple, lemons, and whatever I think looks nice – similar to the wreaths they make in Williamsburg, VA. It’s one of my favorite holiday activities.
I shall take my favorite Christmas books to school and read them to the students in my class. I love doing that, and the kids always enjoy hearing them.
I shall use my holiday china. I received my first piece – a teacup – for my 16th birthday because I liked it so much! Still do! It’s a treat to bring it out each year.
It will be a VERY frugal Christmas this year, as I am starting graduate school in January and just paid for my first class – that was over $1000! Yes, it was tough to write out that check! (Luckily the books for the class were less than $70.) That doesn’t leave much to get by on for the rest of the month, and I refuse to use my credit card or go into savings to get Christmas gifts. I think if I wasn’t on the right medication for bipolar disorder, I wouldn’t hesitate to use credit or my savings. But my goal for this year – and for next year, too – is to reduce my debt. I’m so close to paying off my credit card, and then I can work on paying off my home equity loan. I have no intention of ever getting myself in debt like that again!
Speaking of graduate school, I am also applying for the Lily Reintegration Scholarship that you mentioned in a much earlier blog. All I have to do now is finish my essay and then mail it in. I won’t find out if I will receive a scholarship until July, but I think I stand a pretty good chance. Boy, would that ever help out! I will let you know when I hear anything.
I think the way to make the best of the holidays is similar to making each day the best it can be – look for the little blessings each day. There are miracles happening all around us if only we open our eyes and our hearts to them. It helps, too, to create a pleasant environment for yourself. You’ve done a great job talking about that – eliminating news that is difficult to hear of read about, etc. It’s okay to pamper ourselves!
I’ve gone on too long, so you’ll just have to edit tons! But it was nice to “chat” with you for a while. Take care, and may these final days of Advent be full of blessings for you, and may the Christmas season fill you with His love.
Sincerely,
Sandra
Julie, I just thought of another activity we all enjoy. We have several holiday-themed puzzles that we enjoy putting together, and we’ll bring those out for fun. We tend to have time for board games, too.
Okay, now I think I’m really done!
Sandra
The book Heaven by Randy Alcorn changed my outlook on life after death.
Hello, I just received a comment about the Kindle reader from a blog visitor who lives in Nevada. I accidently deleted the post (!), but did want to pass on the idea that a Kindle is a great investment if you read a lot- and, it can help with those who have a harder time concentrating on a book as you can change the size of the print, etc.
Thanks for the comment! julie
Marian in Oregon wrote: I love the following book:
The Illuminated Rumi: Jalal Al-Din Rumi (Author), Michael Green (Illustrator)
This book is so visually beautiful. I like it because I can open it up anywhere and there is something on the page at any moment. It gives me hope and makes me feel better.
( There is a picture of the book on the original post)
A book that I just read recently, “bipolar bare: my life
Two books that are helping me are: “In Search of Nirvana” (by A.M. Ghadirian, 1985; a spiritual perspective on alcohol and drug dependency; related to issues of a dual diagnosis), and “The Progress of the Soul” (extracts on Baha’u’llah’s teachings on spiritual reality). You could contact me if you are interested in acquiring either of these.