I’ve always loved reading, and maybe that’s what sparked my interest in writing. Over the years, I’ve read quite a lot of fiction mostly. Recently however, I’ve gotten into the habit of also picking up some non-fiction materials (or maybe I should say, I’ve been led to), and they have been very impactful to me and my life. There are quite a few, and if I were to list and talk about them all, there wouldn’t be enough pages, and you, my dear friends and readers, would get exhausted at some point. I’ve decided then to break it down into a list of what I consider the top 5, which I believe everyone should read at some point in their lives. These books have helped to shape and transform my life, and I hope they will be just as beneficial and a blessing to you or someone else too. So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the top 5 books that have changed my life forever:
1. The Game of life and how to play it, by Florence Scovel Shinn – The mind is a powerful tool, and that’s without a doubt. A quote from self-help writer, James Allen in his book “As A Man Thinketh”, states that “men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.” There’s a saying too, “you are what you eat,” but also, you are your thoughts, and with that, it becomes so crucial that we understand how to develop a healthy mind-set decorated with vibrant, positive thoughts. “The Game of life and how to play it” gives you all the keys needed to unlock the doors you never even knew were there; it gives you all you need to transform your own mind and change your circumstances, it lays down the staircase to elevate yourself, reaching higher heights you never even knew you were capable of getting to. If, according to science, we only really use up 10% of our brains, imagine if we really put that 10% to good use in a positive way?? This book had helped to change my life by transforming my mind entirely, giving me a new outlook on life, and I encourage you to give it a read or listen (whatever your fancy), as I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
Audio Book (YouTube): The Game of life and how to play it, by Florence Scovel Shinn
2. The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg and John David Mann – We really live to serve others, plain and simple. All that we acquire and have achieved is really meant to be shared with all those around us; our blessings are to bless someone else. “The Go-Giver” helps us to understand this a bit clearer, with laws that are essentially centred around the servitude of others; as the elevation of our own lives is synonymous with how much we put the interests of others above our own, and the success we experience is highly based on the amount of value we add to everything we do. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, that God loves a cheerful giver, and as God is the only one who has given us all we have, including the knowledge and inspiration to work for what we want, isn’t it only right to give back to Him and His children? It is said that heart and hand go together, and when your heart is filled with praise to God, your hand will demonstrate this by giving back. Clergyman Robert Rodenmayer once said “there are three types of giving; grudge giving, duty giving and thanksgiving. Grudge giving says, ‘I hate to’; duty giving says, ‘I ought to’; thanks giving says, ‘I want to’.” I would say, try to practice the latter as much as you can; learn to give willingly and cheerfully. It’ll surely bring you more joy than you can ever fathom. When you have a chance, I encourage you to read/listen “The Go-Giver” it truly is an eye and heart opener.
Audio Book (YouTube): The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg and John David Mann
3. Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki – Interested in not only accumulating, but also understanding how to access and manage real wealth? Then this is the book I definitely recommend. I’ve learned so many lessons in this book on money matters; lessons I sometimes I wish I’d learned earlier, but then again, I give thanks that they came anyway and when I look at it from the bigger picture, I guess it was in the perfect time. Give this book a read/listen, and even if you have already at some point earlier in your years, I’d encourage you to do so again, now with an enlightened and transformed mind, and fresh eyes. You’re welcome.
Audio Book (YouTube): Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
4. The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren – There is nothing more fulfilling than living a life on and of purpose. Not just any purpose, but the only one that really matters; God’s purpose for your life. How do you figure out what that is? This book will help; it’ll give you all the answers to questions you never even thought about, questions you didn’t even know you needed to be asking. This is a 40-days challenge, you’ll do one per day, and I can assure you it will be the best 40 days ever. I was led to this book some months ago; I had done day one and left it there, back when the world had its claws wrapped around my neck, deep in matters that don’t and won’t even matter anymore when it all passes away. I was semi-lost at that time, too caught up in my own world, drowning in it as the waves came crashing; it wasn’t until a major event happened (for which I was the blame) that I realised I was self-destructing and slowly losing my way, when God sent someone to help pull me up and lift my head above the water. She reintroduced me to this book, at the very moment I needed it (unbeknownst to me), and it was truly a life-changing type of blessing! I can’t express just how much you NEED to read/listen this book; you may not know it right now, but I promise you, you really do. This is me bringing the donkey to the water, as the saying goes, but whether it decides to drink of it or not, is entirely up to it. Try it out; you have absolutely nothing to lose (only gain, I guarantee you).
Audio Book (YouTube): The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren
5. The Holy Bible – Want to know how to not only live this life, but live it well?? This is your instruction manual! All that you need, and require for this life God has given you (like the song lyrics), right here in these pages. Some persons may find it difficult to understand and follow—at least I did, at one point—and that’s understandable, the language, especially of earlier versions does that, but as many of you may already have and know there are apps that will help you through it; the Holy Bible (Bible Gateway) is one such app, with different translations and dictations that will help you to better understand. When I started [again, on a serious level], it was recommended that I began with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), as that is where the story of Jesus is, and it would help me get to know Him more, who He really is—it did help, a whole lot! I would encourage you to start there too, or if you prefer somewhere else, then do you, but definitely, the Gospels is a top pick for me, when it comes to where to begin the reading journey.
Next, I want to tell you about the Bible Project app; this is an amazing tool! It breaks down a lot of the books, chapter by chapter and even dramatizes them too, for better understanding. You can choose to listen/watch them before starting a book/chapter and so when you get to the word itself, it gives you some insight.
Again, the best way to gain wisdom and knowledge on how to live this life, is really through the Bible, there’s no other way really; if you have a desire to get to know God, then read His word, that’s where He is. And if you’re wondering how He speaks to you, one way is also through His word. And as the songwriter also says, He doesn’t speak in vain; no syllable is empty or void. He is forever true to His word and promises to you. But again, I can only take the donkey to the water, and hope it makes the choice to drink.
Get the BibleProject on the Play Store (Android)
And that’s how I close out this list. I do hope these will bring you a blessing and peace, as they did for me. Take some time for yourself and read/listen a little. Take charge of your life and how you live it, no one else can live it for you, and no one else can tell you how to live it (except God, through the Bible, of course).
Until next time, give more of yourself in service to others, add value and spread love in everything you do and everywhere you go, read more, reshape your future through a transformed mind-set, and as always, big up yuhself!
:D
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