This summer has been one for the books. No, seriously I have read more books this summer than I have over the past year or two. There were three in particular that shifted my perspective. Well, let me be clear, I listen to audiobooks because my life isn’t conducive to me sitting down with an actual book in hand. I stay on the go and listening in the mornings while I get ready or while driving are perfect for me. Do what works for you honey and make no apologies about it.

The first book I digested was a recommendation from the fountain of knowledge herself, Oprah. I was listening to her on a podcast by Gwyneth Paltrow called Goop.  It was possibly one of the best Oprah interviews I’ve ever heard. There I was sitting listening to the interview and she started talking about a book that changed her life called Seat of the Soul. Well, she didn’t have to tell me twice, hell, it was Oprah. I downloaded it and listened, and she was right. It is life changing. It took me on an unconventional journey to my soul and broke down the ego in a way I’ve never heard before. It’s not the easiest read or in my case “listen,” but it is worth making it to the end. The seed was planted.

The second book I only saw once, but it jumped out to me in such a profound way that I immediately looked it up. There I was sitting on my granny’s couch being forced to watch The View or one of those shows like it, and this lady mentions how this book was a game changer for her. I thought to myself, “I need a game changer.” Whatever she said about this book made me pick up my phone and download it immediately. I didn’t even think twice about it. I felt drawn to the title: the untethered soul. To say that this book has been enlightening is an understatement. If you are struggling with identity and detaching from negative emotions, then I highly recommend this read. I would like to buy the author lunch…and dinner

This third book was haunting me. You read it right, haunting! I figured the universe wanted me to read it because it showed up on my Instagram timeline twice in one week and then the next thing I know someone randomly texted me and told me to read it. I’ve always been an obedient child (kind of, sort of) and so after ignoring the first three signs, I finally listened and downloaded You are a Badass after it came to me for a fourth time in a motivational video I was listening to. Okay, okay, okay, OKAY! So I took a listen, and it was pretty badass. So much so that I took notes. Out of the three, this was my favorite to listen to because of the manner it was read. I felt as if I were getting advice from one of my best friends. Because of this, I took some notes, and I’d like to share them with you. Now they are in no particular order, and they don’t cover the whole book. I just jotted down some things that randomly stood out to me. Each chapter started with a quote, and so I also shared some of my favorites.

Enjoy.

Quote: “You can start out with nothing, and out of nothing and no way, a way will be made.”

Get Started

Quote: “If you’re depressed, you’re living in the past. If you’re anxious, you’re living in the future. If you’re at peace, you are living in the present.”

Take Action

Quote: “Wanting to be something else is a waste of the person you are.”

Start Fresh and Focus

Quote: “If we really love ourselves, everything in our life works.”

Find Gratitude (my favorite practice)

How to forgive

1. Find compassion for them. Imagine them as a kid operating out of pain or ignorance.
2. Erase them from the equation. When you’re consumed by resentment, the lesson can’t get through
3. Decide you’d rather be happy than right.
4. Look at it from all angles
5. Throw a total shit fit. Alone. Then let it go.
6. Remember that you won’t even remember this.
7. Forget about it!
8. Love yourself!

Change your perception on yourself & life

Quote: “In order to kick ass you must first lift up your foot.”

Stop procrastinating

Seal the Deal