I recently received a complimentary package of inspirational non-fiction books from Howard Books and am excited to share about these books! I was not required to post about them, all opinions are my own. These books are filled with uplifting, motivational, and inspiring stories and life lessons.
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Angels on Earth by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
This book is subtitled “Inspiring Real-Life stories of Fate, Friendship, and the Power of Kindness.” Angels on Earth is divided into seven topical sections, each with at least two stories that fit the theme. The themes include: Kindness, Yesness (how when we act out of kindness, we will begin to default to “yes” instead of “no”), Outwardness (we are responsible for one another), Awareness (becoming aware that people are in our lives for a reason), Uniqueness (we are all uniquely suited in our own ways), Clearness (having a vision to see things others may not), and Connectedness (honoring the ways we are connected to each other). The author’s previous book is called An Invisible Thread, and through her experience of writing that book, she has come across many stories of kindness and how people can become like angels on earth to others around them. These stories are short, but have a huge impact. They have been very inspiring for me personally, challenging me to reach outside of my selfish little bubble and look for ways–from the very simple to the more complex–to touch another person’s life. If you’re feeling caught up in yourself, like nothing you do makes a difference, Angels on Earth is an excellent book to pick up in order to see that every single one of us can be a blessing to others.
Sensing the Rhythm: Finding my Voice in a World Without Sound by Mandy Harvey and Mark Atteberry
The first time I had heard of Mandy Harvey was on last year’s America’s Got Talent, where she was the recipient of Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer (putting her straight from the auditions into the live shows). Mandy was a gifted singer and musician pursuing her music dreams in college when she began to go deaf, and within a few months, she became profoundly deaf (unable to hear anything below 95 decibels in their better ear). She has managed, against all odds, to continue to sing, write, and perform music–and in that process, Mandy has become an inspiration to so many people. Throughout this book, she talks about the different lessons she has learned along her journey. Despite your own personal obstacles, her words of wisdom can be applied to your situation. Mandy unabashedly gives credit to God and her faith, and has some very thoughtful and transparent words to say about (and to) people who say that her deafness is because her faith isn’t strong enough. The chapter entitled “There’s no one quite as hurtful as a Christian trying to justify God.” is very powerful. There are so many profoundly insightful things she has to say that definitely had an effect on me and how I look at others going through difficult situations. The chapters in this book are short, but very readable and full of advice applicable to everyone.
Believe Bigger: Discover the Path to Your Life Purpose by Marshawn Evans Daniels
Daniels begins this book by telling the story of her past. She was a prominent sports attorney with famous clients. She had followed the path for her life that she felt God was directing. At twenty-nine, she met a man who treated her like a princess. They became engaged and she was thrilled to look forward to being his wife and the “bonus mom” to his three children. Daniels began shutting down her business in anticipation of the wedding and moving to another state to be with her new family. Just six days before her wedding, she discovered that he had been unfaithful to her and broke things off. But these things are just the background of what comes next in this book. It is a book about learning about your purpose, your true calling, and how to follow God’s lead toward that purpose.
I’m currently at a crossroads in my own life. My youngest child is about ready to graduate from high school and head to college. I’ve been struggling for a few years trying to discover God’s next steps for me. Marshawn Daniels pointed me in the right direction and has been walking me step-by-baby-step through learning my path. This book uses a Purpose Map: Five Stages of Divine Reinvention. Discovery, Talent, The Gap, Gifts and Influence are all of the zones that she directs the reader through, and then at the end she talks about how to activate and move forward. Let me say–I have been in tears and prayer more times throughout the reading of this book than I had ever imagined I would. God knew that I needed this book right when He brought it into my life, and hopefully you will say the same thing. I have much more pondering, journaling, praying, and planning to accomplish, but I can say that Believe Bigger is a book that all women should read, study, and take to heart.
Lest you think this is more of the same old self-help content that you’ve read a hundred times, it’s truly not. Daniels has some fresh takes on what it looks like to really discover your purpose. It’s for anyone, at any stage of their life or career path. It’s also ideal for those who like practical application, not just inspirational messages (not that those are bad), but if you’re looking for how to discover your purpose and path, practical steps are essential.
All three books come highly recommended by me and each have a unique, uplifting take on life. Thanks so much to Howard Books for sharing them with me.
