Life is hard. Nobody said it would be easy however I have found that if you have access to tools and resources that can help you make positive changes in your life, it’s a blessing. I started this blog out of a place of pain however I have taken steps day-to-day to find healing and inspiration on my journey. Part of my own life journey involved more than healing from pet loss but also navigating through the chapters of my life. With that said, I’m going to share 5 books that helped me find the inspiration and courage to live my best life. Perhaps one of these books may help inspire you too.
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My top 5 Inspirational books!
1) Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud
If you have been following my blog over the past year or so, you may remember a post I did about my decision to leave my job called Lessons learned the day I left my corporate job and met one special fan. I left the world of finance to pursue growing my blog and my art portfolio and find my creative space. I’m an Aquarius and honestly have a creative side to me I just cannot deny. After 7 years of corporate life, commuting and working in an industry considered to be “safe and stable” I grew uninterested, unmotivated and uninspired. I began to ask myself, “What was I doing? Is this what I want to do the rest of my life? Maybe I should take a chance and try something new?”
One of the books that I came across that really helped to solidify my decision to move on to the next phase of my journey was a book called Necessary Endings: The relationships we have to end to move forward. What I love about this book is that it’s suitable for everyone. It really addresses the ideas of re-evaluating relationships of all kinds and deciding is this relationship feeding and serving my purpose or not. It applies to work relationships, romantic relationships and even platonic relationships. This book really helps you hold a mirror up to your current situation and really take an honest look at how this relationship is serving your purpose, desires, dreams and well-being. If it is not serving you, then you have to get real and make a decision. You may have to make a necessary ending in order to create a new beginning.
2) Live your dreams by Les Brown
The second book that really motivated and inspired me to feel good about trying to pursue my passions is Live your Dreams by Les Brown. If you do not know who Les Brown is, he is a motivational speaker and author from humble beginnings. He had a rough childhood and was told he was “educable mentally retarded” while in grade school. It was while he was in his formative years in school that he was blessed to have a positive role model teacher introduced in his life that gave him the courage and self-worth to not accept the opinions of others as defining his identity. With a dream, determination and an attitude of not taking “no” for an answer, Les Brown defied the odds and overcame many setbacks to become a successful motivational speaker and author.
Check out these 13 Quotes of all time featuring Les Brown.
I really enjoyed reading his book of inspiration and perseverance. One pivotal point to reminder is despite where you are in your life, do not allow anyone’s assessment of who you are define you. Only you are the author of your own story.
This really gave me confirmation to continue growing my blog because I believed in it’s purpose to help others find healing and joy. I also felt encouraged that I do not have to have everything all figured out, but just keep moving forward with the things that bring me joy daily. I think we as people are often sold a lie that you have to do things a certain way and on a specific timetable. The truth of the matter is, life is not black and white. It’s all different shades of colors and gray areas. And just like life all of our life stories do not fit a specific mold.
What one person achieves may not be aligned with the dreams of another person. What is good and positive for you may not serve any purpose for the next person. So remember, don’t let anyone crush your dreams or convince you that you can only make it so far. Do not allow other people to set limitations for your life. It’s a reflection of them and not you. Stay inspired, keep getting up when you get knocked down and continue to live and strive for your dreams. Everything will fall into place when the time is right. Success is achieved when opportunity and preparation meet.
3) The Thank you Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk
Thank you Economy by serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk is a great reminder that people who are business minded need to always remember it is not making money that’s most important but rather how you make your money. Essentially, when it comes down to business always remember the people you serve. Make your money with integrity. Remember your customers, your readers, or followers. Their input matters and without them, there is no success.
We have to remember to be thankful for the constructive critic, insight in addition to the sale. Trying to start a business should not be focused solely on dollars but rather helping to solve a problem. In the world of social media nowadays, it is also about connecting and building relationships. It’s those relationships that we are grateful for by default, help to grow a community of people who will support what you are trying to do.
As a new blogger and gregarious introvert, I found this very helpful and inspiring. I always knew I wanted to inspire on some level. Entering the world of blogging and social media, I found this book to be instrumental for me in learning new platforms and getting the courage to just try to put myself out there and share my story with others. It really showed me that in this age of the Internet building relationships online is the new way businesses and communites are built.
4) The Promise of a Pencil: How an ordinary person can create extraordinary change by Adam Braun
This is the true story of how one young man born into a life of privilege, decided to leave the life planned out for him and took a soul-searching journey across the world to India. While spending his time abroad he discovered the reality of how children live in poverty, yet have a wish for something so small like the promise for a pencil to one day go to school. In this defining moment the author transforms the trajectory of his privileged life to form a nonprofit charity called Pencils for Promise. This non-profit organization now provides hundreds of schools for children in need.
What I appreciated about this book so much was the author’s open mindedness to go against the grain and search and explore beyond his privileged bubble for meaning and purpose. This story was very inspiring, heartfelt and especially touching because he was accomplishing this all at a relatively young age.
This true story sheds light on the point that, a life of giving brings so much more fulfillment and purpose, compared to a life plan that looks great from the outside. All that glitters is not gold. Sometimes in order to find true fulfillment and happiness you need to break outside of your comfort zone. Escape that which is familiar to discover a brand new world you never even knew existed. You may just discover this new world exceeds your wildest dreams.
5) All Pets Go To Heaven: The Spiritual Lives of the Animals We Love by Sylvia Brown
Last, I came across this book after the passing of my cat Dusty. If you read my post 4 Reasons why I think pets have an afterlife you know I had experienced strange occurrences after my cats passed away. This book by medium Sylvia Brown helped give me confirmation that I wasn’t going crazy. What I experienced has happened to other bereaved pet parents.
She delves into and explores how our pets communicate after death and transition to life on the other side. She explores and answers questions like…
“Is my pet happy on the other side?”
“Are they healed?”
“Can they communicate with me?”
“Why am I having strange occurrences in my home? Is this normal?”
She also explains that the loving energy we share does not go away but just transforms. There is life in the hereafter. I’d recommend for anyone looking for validation or answers to questions about what happens after losing a pet. However, if you are looking for even more resources to find healing after pet loss check out my other posts.
8 Resources for healing after pet loss
5 Online resources for pet loss support
5 Ways I discovered painting helped heal my heart
This book really helped give me confirmation and validation for my feelings. I felt more confident that my personal experiences were not singular to me. I realized this happened to other grieving pet parents. The reassurance that the loving spirit energy of my cats Precious and Dusty are always around provided comfort for me. This really helped set me on a path to greater healing with time.
Your Thoughts?
So those are the 5 books that helped give me inspiration and courage to live my best life! Have you read any of these books? Is there one in particular you think you’ll want to read for yourself? Do you like self-help and inspirational reads? What are you currently reading? Comment and share your thoughts below.
Delores overby says
August 28, 2018 at 4:47 pmI purchased that book “Say yes to the prompting of the Holy Spirit “ very uplifting.
Kamira Gayle says
August 29, 2018 at 6:01 pmMe too! I’ll be doing a book review in the future.
Delores overby says
August 28, 2018 at 4:38 pmI remember reading Les Brown book some time ago. Will have to check out the other. At this point in my life I need to read uplifting books due to my illness. Thank you for sharing.
Kamira Gayle says
August 29, 2018 at 6:00 pmYes! Happy to share some inspirational reads.Stay tuned , more inspiration to come!
Beth says
August 27, 2018 at 9:59 amMost of my reading these days is of other people’s blogs. I just found and started watching a video about Adam Braun. I think I’ll read his book, he is great!
Kamira Gayle says
August 27, 2018 at 1:34 pmBeth,
Yes, definitely rent or buy the book! It’s a quality read. I think you’ll like it.
Sadie says
August 27, 2018 at 9:43 amI somehow always save your posts for Monday morning – they help brighten the least favourite day! This post did not disappoint. I especially like the sound of ‘The Promise of a Pencil’. I’m glad the author took the initiative to look outside his bubble of privilege for meaning. Beneficial to so many, including himself. I have ‘All Pets go to Heaven’. Perhaps time to have another read of it. Thank you.
Kamira Gayle says
August 27, 2018 at 1:33 pmSadie,
Thank you so much for the kind words and support! It’s very much appreciated. Yes I agree. Learning that the young man came from a life of privilege and reading how he chose to go against family tradition was very courageous and inspiring.
Cathy Armato says
August 27, 2018 at 8:02 amThese all sound like great books, of course I’m especially interested in Sylvia Brown’s book about pets going to heaven – because if my pets don’t go to heaven when they die, I don’t want to go either! I didn’t realize you worked in the financial industry, so did I! I worked for large financials and made that long, awful commute to NYC for many, many years – too many! I don’t miss it one bit. Thanks for sharing these, I pinned this post.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Kamira Gayle says
August 27, 2018 at 1:32 pmCathy,
Yes! I worked in an administrative capacity in finance and tax for over 10 years. I agree that commute is no joke. I do not miss it. LOL Thanks for pinning this post and glad these books peaked your interest!
Sweet Purrfections says
August 26, 2018 at 9:30 pmExcellent books! I remember seeking out books when I went through my divorce after 21 years of marriage. I wish I could remember the book that truly had an impact on me. I find I depend on other cat bloggers for support now.
Kamira Gayle says
August 26, 2018 at 10:55 pm😉 You are a strong woman who has endured a lot of things. I have definitely learned that starting a blog I too, like you, have found support in the most unexpected places. It’s a wonderful thing isn’t it?
The Dash Kitten Crew says
August 26, 2018 at 8:03 pmInteresting choices. I find the more I read the more a set of set of core ideas are broached by people in different ways. They are not new ideas but they are ideas seen from a different viewpoint – and this allows those concepts to be absorbed and used by different people.
Look at most of the ‘helpful entrepreneurs’ They all tell you to have Goals. To Focus. To do what needs to be done to reach your goals First. To Forgive yourself if you get it wrong but keep going. Honestly? Thousands upon of people are out there doing exactly the same thing – bottom line you can only do what you love to the best of your ability – if you are lucky you will grow and be happy. If you are very lucky people will listen to your voice and be inspired.
Kamira Gayle says
August 26, 2018 at 10:52 pmYou make a good point Marjorie! Sometimes you can here the same message a thousand times however it may be that one person with a different spin on it, for it to click and make a personal impact on you. I know reading Les Brown and Gary Vaynerchuk did that for me. I think also having a person you can identify with helps too. Both of these guys came from nothing and beat the odds to become very successful despite being told they wouldn’t amount to much. I know I can identify with that …not on every level, but their experiences with trial and error and certain struggles, I can relate too. Plus I just love Les Brown’s voice! LOL Thanks for sharing your viewpoint. Well said.
Jana Rade says
August 26, 2018 at 5:29 pmI don’t know if I like inspirational or self-help books. I’ve read some and they left me wanting. My experience is there was a lot of “gravy” and platitudes and very little useful stuff. The most inspirational in a practical way, in my opinion, is Scott Adams’ work.
Kamira Gayle says
August 26, 2018 at 6:02 pmJana,
Hmmm I haven’t heard of Scott Adams. I’ll have to look him up! Thanks for your insight.
Irene McHugh says
August 26, 2018 at 1:42 pmI haven’t read any of these books. The Power of a Pencil sounds the most intriguing to me, especially since I used to be a teacher. Currently, I’m reading two dog books. Inside of a Dog I’m listening to, and 101 Dog Tricks I’m reading as I learn how to teach the pups some new tricks, so that’s a slow read. LOL!
Kamira Gayle says
August 26, 2018 at 6:02 pmIrene,
Oh I had no idea! I give you nothing but RESPECT (as the late Aretha Franklin would say)! Teachers influence and provide so much for our next generation on so many levels. Oh…101 Dog Tricks…yep, that one may take a while! LOL
Holly says
August 25, 2018 at 5:30 pmThe power of the pencil sounds interesting. I used to be a big reader but I’m pretty much just into fiction these days
Kamira Gayle says
August 26, 2018 at 6:00 pmHolly,
Nice! I like a good fiction novel too! Who is your favorite author?
Ruby and Kristin says
August 25, 2018 at 8:24 amI haven’t read any of these books so thanks for the recommendations! I think the first one and the last one are the most appealing to me. Because animals are such a big part of my life, I will probably start with All Pets Go To Heaven. Anyone who has loved an animal probably wonders what happens after they pass on(and hopes they will be reunited again).
Kamira Gayle says
August 26, 2018 at 5:57 pmI’m glad these recommendations appealed to you. I really feel like at least 1 book someone can identify with. Yes! All pets go to heaven is really interesting and gives a fresh perspective about life after death. Interesting read indeed. I think you’ll enjoy it.
Michelle & The Paw Pack says
August 24, 2018 at 8:08 pmThanks for the suggestions! I’ll have to add these to my ever growing book list. I love to read, but do wish I had more time to do it.
Kamira Gayle says
August 26, 2018 at 5:56 pmI’m in the same boat honestly. I have a few good reads lined up! I’ll be writing another blog post update before the year is over.
Stephine says
August 24, 2018 at 4:07 pmThank you for the suggestions.
Kamira Gayle says
August 26, 2018 at 5:56 pmYou’re welcome!
Ruth Epstein says
August 24, 2018 at 3:30 pmThank you so much for sharing and I am for definite going to look into getting the book The Thank You Economy as lately I feel like I am walking around in circles and not getting anywhere.
Have a great weekend
Kamira Gayle says
August 26, 2018 at 5:55 pmYou’re very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed this post…and I know what you mean. I feel like it’s time to change things up a bit! Again! LOL
Kate says
August 24, 2018 at 2:25 pmI love all of these book suggestions! Definitely will be adding Necessary Endings to my list asap!
Also, I was totally just thinking about how it’s been nearly a year since my pup passed – must be a strange coincidence that I came across this post!
Kamira Gayle says
August 24, 2018 at 2:47 pmDefinitely check out Necessary Endings you won’t regret it. It definitely can apply to all facets of your life. Oh I’m so sorry about your pup. That book by Sylvia Browne is really insightful and may explain some things that you thought were odd after your puppy passed. Both are very helpful.
Karen says
August 24, 2018 at 10:38 amThanks for some great suggestions. I’m most interested in the Thank You Economy. I’ve seen several other people recommend it lately….must be a message I need to hear.
Kamira Gayle says
August 24, 2018 at 11:52 amKaren,
Yes it’s a quick read with really insightful perspective from Gary Vee. He also has great selection of You Tube videos to check out! I’d definitely recommend.
Kenneth E Overby says
August 22, 2018 at 11:42 amKamira,
I wrote a spiritual and inspirational book ‘Say Yes to the Prompting of the Holy Spirit’ It motivates and inspires people too.
Kamira Gayle says
August 22, 2018 at 5:29 pmKenneth,
Congrats. I actually bought a copy! I will be doing a second spiritual inspirational book review in the near future. Stay tuned…