Life is full of ups and downs. hopefully, at this point someone has explained it to you. You’re not always going to get what you want. life will not unfold the way you plan it to, or expect it to, every time. sometimes you will feel lost.
Although it’s obvious that obstacles and adversity are going to rear their seemingly ugly heads from time to time, it can still be a challenge for you to face them. they may seem insurmountable and you just aren’t sure how to get past them. Situations like this often leave people feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and lost. while it is not a pleasant experience, there is always an exit strategy. in fact, in most cases, there are several ways to get out of the predicament you’re stuck in.
You are reading: Books to read when your life is falling apart
I have found myself lost on more than one occasion in my life. When I was younger, I would turn to my family and friends when I had an unenviable feeling of being lost. usually his advice would be enough to get me through the issues I was dealing with. As I grew older and more independent, advice from loved ones was not enough. While my family and friends have provided invaluable guidance through some troubling events, it has also been beneficial for me to engage in further reading.
I’ve been lucky enough to read some very influential novels over the years. It is important to understand that if you feel lost and alone in life, the burden of responsibility falls on you first. you need to seek the knowledge that will benefit you. then you must completely soak your soul in this knowledge. I know the following books will help you as much as they helped me.
1. the art of happiness, dalai lama and howard cutler
written in 1998, this book is essentially an interview in which howard cutler questions the dalai lama. cutler is a psychiatrist who seeks to understand the purpose of life according to the dalai lama. The Dalai Lama, in turn, describes what he believes is the purpose of life: to be happy. however, the most important thing is that he believes that this happiness comes from no other source than from yourself.
It was very powerful to gain this understanding of happiness because I always assumed someone or something would make me happy. The book also details the techniques and tools you can use to implement a happier existence.
2. happiness: a guide to developing life’s most important skill, matthieu ricard
written by a french buddhist monk who is also a doctor in molecular genetics, dr. Ricard beautifully describes the ways in which happiness can be manifested. he argues that happiness doesn’t just happen by chance or luck. being consistently happy takes a lot of practice. Just like any other skill, happiness requires a lot of dedication and a lot of persistence.
3. the power of now: a guide to spiritual enlightenment, eckhart tolle
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The present moment is the only moment you have control over at any point in your life. In this book, Echkart Tolle portrays the importance of being present despite the mind’s desire to be anywhere but now. there is a natural reluctance for people to fully realize the power of the present moment.
The format of the books includes real-life questions asked tolle, as well as their detailed answers. many of the questions raised have to do with the mind and why living in the present is such a challenge for many people. tolle does a great job of clearing away the clutter the mind can create, thoroughly detailing how each person has the ability to enjoy the present moment. this skill will lead to a much more fulfilling and meaningful life. sometimes the simplest idea, like living in the now, can lead to the most powerful results.
4. the alchemist, paulo coelho
coelho uses a fictional story to portray the underlying theme of this book. you have the power to create your own destiny. only you have the ability to create the kind of life you want for yourself. A popular quote from this book is, “When you really want something to happen, the entire universe conspires to make your wish come true.” Obviously, you are required to work hard and be dedicated to achieving your goals, but the overall motif of this story is quite persuasive.
5. the charge: activating the 10 human impulses that make you feel alive, brendan burchard
I’m a huge fan of Brendan Burchard, so it was a no-brainer for me to buy his book in the summer of 2014. It’s an easy read that outlines simple action steps to infuse more spark into your life. it’s easy to get stuck in a rut where you feel like a robot just taking care of the next chore on your list. The good news is that your life doesn’t have to feel like this. this book is a great motivator to relocate your path in life.
6. the four agreements: a practical guide to personal freedom (a toltec wisdom book), don miguel ruiz
learn four basic agreements you can make every day that will change your life. these agreements are simple and will transform the way you live your life. They make you rethink all the previous agreements you have made with yourself.
7. the mastery of love: a practical guide to the art of relating (a toltec wisdom book), don miguel ruiz
Learning to love others is extremely difficult if you don’t first learn to love yourself. This book will help your relationships improve and become more meaningful. if you take the time to strengthen your relationships, it will be harder to feel lost and isolated.
8. siddhartha, hermann hesse
This is a classic novel about self-discovery. tells of one man’s spiritual journey to enlightenment. Although many of the themes in this book are Buddhist in nature, the message is universal and very powerful for anyone trying to find themselves.
9. I know why the caged bird sings, Maya Angelou
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learn miss angelou’s coming of age story. she was lost and experienced many headaches at a young age. this book teaches you a lot about perseverance and overcoming adversity.
10. be quick but don’t rush: finding success in the teachings of a lifetime, andrew hill and john wooden
mr. wooden is considered one of the greatest masters of his generation. In this book he shares his simple wisdom and how it translated into all areas of his life, not just coaching on the basketball court. His former players offer his insight into how his teachings built a foundation of success for them to carry with them throughout their lives.
11. sacred hoops : spiritual lessons from a hardwood warrior phil jackson and hugh delehanty
Often considered one of the best coaches of his generation, Phil Jackson is a spiritual teacher first and a basketball coach second. Whether you’re a basketball fan or not, this book offers exceptional value for anyone trying to live more mindfully and skillfully.
12. the last lecture, randy pausch
randy pausch was a carnegie mellon professor who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. before he died, he shared his last lecture with the public. in this book he imparted the wisdom he amassed because he knew it was his last chance to do so. his lecture focuses on fighting for his childhood dreams and how that guides him throughout his life.
13. the fifth agreement: a practical guide to self-mastery (a toltec wisdom book), don miguel ruiz and don jose ruiz
This book focuses on another deal that will help you master your own personal obstacles. Adhering to this agreement will help you become a master of his mind as well as his soul.
14. take responsibility for your life, mike oppland
this is a short ebook i wrote about taking responsibility for the events that happen in your life. The book focuses on ten action steps and situations in your life that you must take responsibility for in order to feel fully fulfilled. I peppered the book with many personal anecdotes. I was someone who was lost and unable to take full responsibility for how my life was going. once I took responsibility, I began to experience more satisfaction. Learn from my experiences and take responsibility for yourself.
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