When I was younger, I read books for 2 reasons only – either because they were part of my school work or to feed my youthful exuberance. From my early twenties, I realised I particularly enjoyed reading books that dwell on life, spirituality, purpose, personal development, career and challenges common to mankind. Some of these books have helped define my values, fine tune my purpose and reinforced key principles that have shaped the woman I am today. I took sometime to reflect on the books that have made the most impact in my life and I thought to share 5 of them with you this week. These books are life-changing books and I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

 1)  The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth I’m I Here For? – Rick Warren

This book has been called the bestselling non-fiction book in history having sold more than 32 million copies since its release in 2003. Rick Warren did a brilliant job of explaining the all-important question ‘What on earth I’m I here for?’ using a Christ-centered approach that is rooted in the word of God. The principles taught in the book helps Christians of all ages to make the best of their Christian faith whilst finding their place in life and in their Christian walk. You can call it the perfect manifesto for all Christians living in the 21^st century as it is a call to Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism. The Purpose Driven Life further helps its readers to look beyond the myopic and selfish human tendencies of thinking about oneself and what we want God to do for us into seeking how we can daily live a selfless life that God intended for us in the first place.

2) Outliers: The Story of Success – Malcolm Gladwell

Outliers is one book that makes you think critically about success – why some people become successful and why others don’t. His theory of clocking 10,000 hours to become skilled or an expert in any life vocation is also something that I am still greatly fascinated by and I find myself exploring this concept day in day out. I also couldn’t agree more with his notion that not all ‘smart’ people (that is, people with high IQs) become successful. Therefore, one cannot rely on innate abilities alone for success to happen. However, when smartness is combined with the effective use of the right opportunity (seizing the moment at the right time), then success happens!  As I have read in scriptures, life is a game of ‘time and chance’  (biblical reference). In other words, one must use Time wisely in order to maximize ones Chances of success in life. Although I do not know if the writer is a believer, but I always enjoy books that points me back to my faith whether or not the writer intended it to be so or not.

3) The Resolution for Women – Priscilla Shirer

I remember buying this book after watching Priscilla preach at a Hillsong Conference. You could see her passion and love for the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and I just wanted to keep listening to her and her message of knowing your identify in Christ Jesus. Buying this book has been a great investment and every now and then, I see myself turning to the back page to read again the 14 Resolutions for Women which is beautifully crafted on the last page. The book is a must read for every Christian woman –  young, old, single, married, career woman or homemaker. Priscilla is gifted not only in teaching the word but also in writing some gospel truth about the way we are to conduct ourselves and live our lives as Daughters of the Most High God. The Resolution for Women reminds us of who we are in Christ; the values that we should never trade regardless of how unpopular such values have become in today’s society as well as the importance of contentment in our Christian faith.

4) Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead – Sheryl Sandberg

I started this blog after reading Lean In. You see, when the thought of starting a blog first came to me, I thought it would be hard for me to embark on a writing journey all by myself. So I talked myself out of it several times by convincing myself that my writing would not be good enough. My greatest fear at the time was that I would fail woefully! While I did consider myself to be bold and courageous in some aspects of life, I realised that my deepest fear was somehow tied to my greatest passion. Thanks to Sheryl and the popular quote from the book, ‘What would you do if you were not afraid?’ broke the yoke of fear within me and this has stayed with me ever since. So even when I see a new opportunity and I’m tempted to close my mind to it, I remember this quote and I say to myself, ‘What is the worst that can happen?’ Lean In is a great book for millennial women and I cannot recommend it enough especially if you are in that place where you are afraid to make a move, or seize an opportunity just because you fear what people will say, you think you think you are not qualified enough or you feel inadequate for the role. The book offers practical advice on how, as a woman, you can Lean In by letting your voice to be heard in the workplace and not being afraid to take up leadership roles whenever the opportunity presents itself. Never forget that life’s scariest decisions often offers the greatest rewards, joy and accomplishments.

 5) Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle of Your Mind – Joyce Meyer

I first read this book when I was in the university at a time when I was dealing with depression and trying to figure out life after graduation. Whilst reading this book and for the first time in my Christian life, the scripture that talks about Christians not wrestling against flesh and blood but principalities in the highest places became real to me. Joyce Meyer did a beautiful job of making her readers to understand that there is a war going on and our MIND is the battlefield. Therefore, being a Christian does not stop us from having doubts, fears or being anxious and drowning in negative self-talks. This is because our mind is a battle ground for the enemy and we can only defeat the enemy through the sure promises found in the Word of God. The book thought me how to use the Word of God to claim back victory anytime I find myself in that lonely and self-destructive road of disbelief, fear, anger, negativity and depression. With practical steps and using her personal experiences, Joyce helps her readers to develop spiritual strategies on how to fine-tune the devil out of their minds by overcoming negative self-talks and criticisms. It boils down to gaining control of one’s life by first gaining control over one’s MIND.

Do you have books that have influenced you a great deal? Do share them with me so I can go check them out… Thanks in advance …lol!

Here is to a productive week.

XX

Categories: Home, Lifestyle, Spirituality

Tags: Books, Chance, christianity, faith, fear, Inspiration, life, Life-changing Motivation, Opportunity, Overcoming, Purpose, Resolution, success, women