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Five Books That Shaped My Soul-Journey | The BridgeMaker

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Five Books That Shaped My Soul-Journey Posted: 30 Dec 2009 04:39 PM PST Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home. - Matsuo Basho Article written by BridgeMaker contributor Paul D. Fitzgerald. Follow him on Twitter. Share My original thought was to simply identify five books reflecting my area of expertise by naming recent books that I’ve enjoyed reading. On reflection, I decided to be a bit vulnerable and offer books that significantly impacted my soul-journey. Each of these books opened new vistas for my understanding of God, grace and hope for the human condition. To Thine Own Self Be True: The Relationship Between Spiritual Values and Emotional Health - Lewis M. Andrews Andrews opened a middle ground between a pastoral counseling/spiritual care model that was anything except the “value free” approach then current based on a medical model. In fact, my old model depended upon bringing judgments into the sessions. His’ “ethical” model embraced traditional values of honesty, tolerance and self-reliance as part of people-helping process. Without judgment, he opened a way to understand “very few psychological maladies… are natural states, nor need to be endured…. each of these negative states has roots in a particular judgment or manipulative habit; and it is through understanding the proper connection and by taking some simple remedial steps to correct our conduct that many of our emotional troubles can finally be alleviated.” The Denial of Death - Ernest Becker Although Baker’s book won a Pulitzer Prize, its value has been significantly under appreciated. His thesis is that “the idea of death, the fear of it, haunts the human animal like nothing else; it is a mainspring of human activity — activity designed largely to avoid the totality of death, to overcome it by denying in some way that it is the final destiny for man.” He opened a doorway to understand the impact of shame on human behavior which he understood as the fear of death and the fear of life; the needing courage to be heroic in some way to justify a place in creation in the face of reality that is overwhelmingly fearful and the use of illusion to cope with the dilemma. Shame and Pride: Affect, Sex, and the Birth of the Self - Donald L. Nathanson Nathanson builds on Silvan S. Tomkins’ innate affect theory research. My fascination was on the concept of internalized-shame. He answers the fundamental question “why do we do such things to ourselves and other people?” by identifying four clusters of ineffective life-patterns that we unconsciously choose to defend against more personal shame. He outlines a global understanding of internalized-shame as lying behind the cultural, social, religious and political dysfunction in the world as we know it today. Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage, and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus - Robert Farrar Capon Capon, a feisty, humorous, out-of-the-box Episcopal priest, began the process of helping me redeem a gracious understanding of the Christian view of God and a healthy view of grace. Using the Gospel parables with expert precision, he exposes a view of God 180° different from the traditional Western view of an angry God. His writing allowed me to live within a Christian paradigm with intellectual integrity. The Inescapable Love of God - Thomas Talbott Talbott’s book, while very controversial from my background, opened another door to a gracious understanding of God within the parameters of the Christian faith that has drawn me deeper into the faith. It challenged many of my unquestioned assumptions about the nature of God, grace and has allowed me ways of speaking about hope, courage, emotional and relational healing to those within the Christian community. Likely, these books tell you more about me and my journey within the Christian faith that most anyone wants to know. It was refreshing to me to review my journey and remember that at “just the right time” these significant books changed my life. Dr. Paul Fitzgerald is a Life Coach and offers several dimensions to help clients move toward personal wholeness and create a fulfilling life. You may contact Dr. Paul at drpaul@heartconnexion.org. Five Books That Shaped My Soul-Journey

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The Extraordinary Life: Five Books that Maximize Your Potential | The BridgeMaker

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The Extraordinary Life: Five Books that Maximize Your Potential Posted: 28 Dec 2009 03:09 AM PST We all have the extraordinary coded within us, waiting to be released. - Jean Houston Article by BridgeMaker contributor Ralph Jean-Paul. Please visit him at Potential2Success.com. Share In high school I rarely read books outside of the classroom. Back then, I felt that everything I needed to know about life could be found by watching MTV, ESPN, and The Simpsons. In my early 20s, however, I realized that in order for me to make it in the real world, I needed to work on my personal development. That was when I began reading books of all kinds. I loved to read biographies as well as books on religion, money, health, and relationships. I fell in love with the idea that no matter what issue I was facing, someone had already written a book to help me solve that issue. When I started my blog Potential 2 Success, I had a simple vision in mind; to offer result driven personal development. My blog is really about applying the talents you already have, and acquiring the skills you need in order to succeed in all areas of your life. I have read so many great books that creating a list of five was extremely difficult. So, I narrowed it down to five books that made an immediate impact on my own personal development and helps show me the way to the extraordinary life. The Art of Exceptional Living - Jim Rohn This book introduced me the profound and practical teachings of Jim Rohn. I discovered this book about two years ago and I still find myself referring to it often. The Art of Exceptional Living breaks down the components of what it takes to live an extraordinary life. I have only seen the book offered in audio format which is great because you get to hear Jim Rohn present the material in an entertaining and dynamic fashion. The first time I heard this book, I can remember saying, "That makes so much sense" over and over again. This book has a lot of fundamental principles as well as profound statements that had me reaching for a pen so I could jot down notes. Jim Rohn talks about how a person can increase their value in order to get more out of life. He then goes on to talk about how important personal development is and what a person can do to build lifelong success habits. This is a must-read for anyone serious about their personal growth. Talent is Overrated - Geoffrey Colvin It is easy to assume that great athletes, business people, and performers are able to succeed on the basis of their talent alone. The truth is that there is a lot of work and effort that goes into becoming the best at what they do. Will Smith once said that he doesn't consider himself talented but he does consider himself skilled. I thought that was a brilliant statement and follows the philosophy that I try to share on my blog. Talent is an amazing thing to have. But talent can fail a person if they are not particularly skilled in what they do. That is why the book Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else resonated with me. The book looks at several examples of how extraordinary achievers practice and perfect their craft. Using examples from the arts, music, sports, and business, author Geoffrey Colvin attempts to prove that greatness takes sacrifice and effort. This book is really about choice. The achievers in the book were not only talented, but they also chose to dedicate their time and energy so that they could become best at what they do. The Magic of Thinking Big - Dr. David Schwartz When I first got this book I didn't expect too much from it. The title seemed very simplistic and I was just hoping it was at least an average personal development book. But after I read it, I went around telling as many people as I could about this gem that I had discovered. To my surprise, many people already knew how great the book was. Apparently, I was late to the party. The Magic of Thinking Big is clear and well written. I love the way the book unlocks the possibility of your mind and positive thinking. There are several examples of people's reaction to different work and life situations. Dr. David Schwartz explains that if you want more out of life, think bigger. There are also several examples of how to enhance your interactions with the people come across every day. Simply put, this book teaches that success is not an accident and that almost all obstacles can be overcome. Personality Plus - Florence Littauer Personality Plus by Florence Littauer offers a method of understanding others by first understanding yourself. This book was recommended to me by a friend who is in the sales business. He told me that he read the book and it changed his life and the way he related to everyone around him. I casually told him I would pick it up but I never made it a priority. When I finally got around to buying the book, I began reading it that same night. My intention was to read a few pages and go to bed. I ended up reading the first four chapters that night. I couldn't wait to go to work the next day to test what I had learned. I think of myself as someone who is good with people. I love meeting new people and interacting with different personalities. Although I am confident in my ability to get along with others, Personality Plus caused me to view people in a whole new light. After reading this book, I began to apply what I learned immediately. Sure enough, they worked extremely well. I was amazed! The book includes a personality profile test the reveals your unique temperament. Then, the book explains the strengths and weaknesses of each temperament. By knowing the personality types of other people, it became easier for me to bond with them. I also became more accepting of the faults of the people around me. The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness - Stephen R. Covey The follow up to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The 8th Habit takes you to a whole new level. The book challenges the reader to "find your voice and inspire others to find theirs". This is not one of those books that you can just rush through. I benefited more by reading one chapter per month. By doing this, I was able to slowly integrate what I learned into my life. This is one of the books that encouraged me to share my insights on life with the world. When I found this book, I was still searching for my "voice". I knew that I wanted to do more with my life but I wasn't sure what. Truthfully, I didn't have the courage to claim my destiny. After reading this book I found the courage to go after my big goals instead of settling for mediocre success. The 8th Habit also comes with a free DVD that is worth the price of the book. It has several segments that reinforce what is presented in the book. There are also several inspirational videos. Greatness is something that we all posses. I think this book can help anyone find theirs. Did I leave one your favorites off of the list? What books have helped you live an extraordinary life? Ralph Jean-Paul is not only committed to his own personal development, but he is also committed to the personal development of everyone he comes in contact with. This desire to see growth in himself lead him to begin to mentor others. Ralph also found his purpose when he began to speak at universities, corporations, associations and other organizations. To learn more about Ralph, please visit Potential2Success.com. The Extraordinary Life: Five Books that Maximize Your Potential

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High Dive In The Bathtub

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Transcendental

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10 Year-Long Lessons We Can Learn from Santa | The BridgeMaker

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10 Year-Long Lessons We Can Learn from Santa Posted: 21 Dec 2009 06:12 PM PST Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. - Charles Dana Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook. Share I wish this time of the year had a Pause button. The week before Christmas has always been a special time for me. The tastes, smells, sights and sounds warm my heart and continue to fill me with excitement and anticipation. To make this week more special, all of our children are home for Christmas. It's fun to celebrate our family traditions together. One tradition that ended last year, however, is setting out milk and cookies for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Emily, our 11-year-old, overheard the older kids at school give the lowdown on Santa. That night Mary Beth and I told our daughter that while Santa is not an actual person, he can live in each one of us when we choose to believe in his spirit. The spirit of Santa also makes for a very good teacher. Santa reminds us to be good and to ask for what we want. The lessons Santa teaches at Christmas are important ones we can carry into the rest of the year. After raising four children to believe in Santa Claus, I have discovered 10 year-long lessons that will make the other 11 months full of wonder and excitement, too. Be good for goodness sake. When our actions are consistently good ones, then we have little to fear. It can often feel like we are not rewarded for the good things we do. But we are watched and a scorecard is being kept on the good things we do – sort of like Santa's book that keeps track of who is being naughty and nice. The score is not displayed on a giant scoreboard or announced in a public arena. The score is quietly written onto our souls instead. The higher the score the better we feel. Focus on the needs of others. Our unselfish acts are the ultimate gifts we give. When our attention is placed on the needs of others then we will receive more than expected. Be the Santa for everyone in your life and then ready yourself for the most fulfillment you will ever receive. When giving, give from the heart. Follow your heart. Allow it to guide your actions when selecting the most appropriate gifts possible. Listen intently to what is being requested and then respond with love and care. Feel the magic in your life. Santa Claus is the ambassador of wonder and surprise. Many children wake early on Christmas morning to see what Santa has brought. This feeling of anticipation, along with a tinge of exhilaration, is a part of makes this time of the year so magical. As adults we can experience this same sense of excitement, and magic, when we take the time to look for the wonder in our lives. It can be found every morning when we realize the day ahead has been offered as a gift, provided in the perfect size and made just for us. Take the time to hear others. Santa is a really good listener. Part of his legend has millions of children from all over the world sitting on his lap and whispering into his ear the things they want most for Christmas. Santa nods and then repeats back what he hears to make sure he has it right. Even though Santa may not be able to deliver on every request, he lets the child know he is listening and hears what she has to say. When we give others our full attention and take the time to hear what they have to say, then we are providing a truly meaningful gift. Believe you can fly Although reindeer really can't fly, it's fun to think they can – at least once during the year. We can't fly either in the physical sense, but one lesson we can learn from Santa Claus is our dreams do not bound us to the ground. When we let go and allow hope to guide us, we can soar as high as we would like to go. Know where you live. Christmas, and spirit of Santa Claus, is a feeling as much as it is a day. For me, this feeling lives in my heart. When I live from my heart, I feel happier, peaceful and more encouraged. For me, living from the heart means I make decisions and choices based on what my heart tells me to do and what feels right. Know where you live and when you find it's from your heart, then the world may feel brighter all year long. Remember to laugh. Santa's "Ho Ho Ho" is as iconic as his red suit. His large and boisterous laugh is unmistakable and provides a good example of why laughter is so important – because it's contagious. It's hard not to laugh when we hear others laugh. Remember to laugh and then enjoy the symphony of laughter you create. It is more important to give than to receive. So, why is it better to give than to receive in the first place? Even though we live in a "want it right now" world, Santa reminds us that when our focus is more on the giving part and less on the receiving part, then, ironically, we are able to find more fulfillment for ourselves in the long run. There's a good reason why Santa's legend continues to live year after year. And that reason is found in the basic truth that when we give of ourselves, and expect nothing in return, then we are providing the most authentic love possible. And when we share authentic love we are, in turn, filled right back up with it. Take time to enjoy the cookies. Santa Claus is a busy man on Christmas Eve. He has millions of stops with very little time to get everything done. But, he still takes the time to take a bite from a cookie and then enjoys a sip of cold milk to wash it down. We can learn a lot from his habit. No matter how busy we are, or how busy we think we are, there is still time to enjoy the cookies. And when we do, we are able to enjoy our lives a little more along the way. Emily has now joined her siblings with the knowledge of Santa Claus, but Santa's spirit still lives in the Blackwell house. The gifts are ready, the baking is done and the house is decorated. This week promises to be a joyful one because each of us will be Santa for the other. On Saturday, however, the Pause button will be released and our lives will being playing to their ordinary routines again. My Christmas wish is we keep the feelings of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning close to our hearts and remember Santa's lessons all year long. 10 Year-Long Lessons We Can Learn from Santa

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Four Seasons Hotel 四季酒店

Four Seasons Hotel 四季酒店
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Five Books of Wisdom | The BridgeMaker

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Five Books of Wisdom Posted: 19 Dec 2009 05:08 AM PST Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life. - Sandra Carey Article written by BridgeMaker contributor Lorraine Cohen. Please visit her at Powerfull Living. Share When I was asked to select my five favorite books that reflect my area of expertise with clients and support my own personal soul journey, it was a challenge to only come up with five titles! Having had the pleasure of interviewing Neale Donald Walsch, James Twyman, and Paula Langguth Ryan, I can whole-heartedly include their books as some of my faves to recommend. So, here is my list for 2009: The Proof: A 40-Day Program for Embodying Oneness by James Twyman with Anakha Coman. The new book offers a 40-day plan to consciously experience and embody what it feels like to be ONE with all of Creation. The phrase, "I Am that, I Am " was the focus of James' book, The Moses Code: The Most Powerful Manifestation Tool in the History of the World, and he invites us to remember and know that as spiritual beings, we are part of a collective conscious that connects every thing that exists in every form as part of the ONE, God, The Creator of All That Is, Higher Power . The Proof invites you to invest in a spiritual evolutionary journey rather than one focused on personal growth. The book also encourages you to take a conscious journey to dissolve the layers of separation and pain to invite healing, transformation, wholeness and integration of our humanity with our essential SELF and the Divine. This is the path of bringing Heaven on Earth for ourselves, the planet and the earth. The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. Imagine looking at every life experience with the perspective of possibility rather than seeing only problems, obstacles, and difficulty. The authors harmoniously and creatively weave insights and inspirational ideas through uplifting stories, parables, personal anecdotes, and fun exercises to become a more passionate communicator, leader, and teacher whose life radiates possibility into the world. Each of the practices offer a fresh perspective in how you look at yourself and others through your life experiences and conditioning by inviting you to stretch beyond limited thinking into a whole new attitude of possibility thinking. I'm often caught up in being too serious about my life and encouraged to "Lighten up" so I can be more playful in my outlook and response to LIFE. So when I read their practice, Rule Number 6 which means "Don't take yourself so g –damn (or darn) seriously", I had to smile. This book will expand your thinking in playful ways that will change the way you look at your SELF, your life and the world. The Right Questions: Ten Essential Questions To Guide You To An Extraordinary Life by Debbie Ford. This brilliant book offers ten profound questions that will dynamically change the choices you make to ultimately empower you to fulfill your life dreams. One of my favorite questions, "Am I choosing from my Divinity or am I choosing from my humanity? " has been a powerful question to ask when I am wondering whether I am following my head or my heart. Each of the questions she poses will make you stop and tune into what is real and true for you so that you can make conscious decisions that align with your heart and soul. For anyone who worries or fears making mistakes they will deeply regret, this book provides a roadmap to make the best and loving choices for the life you can here to live. Happier Than God: Turn Ordinary Life into an Extraordinary Experience by Neale Donald Walsch. The remarkable insights on these pages make it clear that every human being can move into the expression of spiritual mastery, turning ordinary life into an extraordinary experience. This book shines the light on the Great Principles of Life and Creation and invites us to claim our role of as deliberate Co-Creators with God to manifest our soul desires. Of all the books Neale has written, I believe Happier Than God: Turn Ordinary Life into an Extraordinary Experience, summarizes so beautifully and simply, the way the Universe works. For anyone who wishes there was a guidebook to manifesting our dreams and desires, Neale gives you the nuts and bolts of how to dance with the Universe in fulfilling your life purpose. Giving Thanks: The Art of Tithing by Paula Langguth Ryan. This is a must-have gem of a book to help you understand how to manifest abundance by aligning with the Universal Law of Prosperity. Paula beautifully explains how critical the act of tithing is in saying "thank you" to God for all the good we receive in our life and in the days to come. This book offers a systematic way to create true and lasting abundance in all areas of your life. I love Paula's book because it dispels a lot of myths about tithing and fears around lack and scarcity. She sprinkles stories, quotes, and anecdotes throughout the book which adds a personal flavor and charm in her teaching and encouragement to engage in the practice of tithing. In reading her book, I added tithing immediately into my life as my way of saying thank you, thank you, thank you and cultivating gratitude for all the good that blesses my life. I keep these five books of wisdom close so when I get lost in my personal dramas that disconnect me from my heart and guidance I know where to turn for help. I love them for their fresh perspectives and simplicity. I invite you to add them to your library and let me know what you think. I wish you all a blessed holiday and a glorious 2010. Founder of Powerfull-Living, Rev. Dr. Lorraine Cohen is a spiritual advisor, life coach, published writer, and inspirational speaker who is recognized as a cutting-edge expert in her field. Please consider her groundbreaking eBook How Do I Choose: A powerful five-step blueprint for making rock-solid decisions. Five Books of Wisdom

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