Here we are in the last month of 2016. What a year it has been. For me, it’s been one of magic.
When I started the year I took time to set an intention on how I wanted to feel. Then I took those words and put them in a collage next to my computer. I look at them everyday.
My words: creative, inspired, energized and big and bold in the center: Freedom.
Once I set this intention towards how I wanted to feel, I was directed to the writings of teachers, whose words have re-shaped my life in positive and profound ways.
Without further adieu, here are ten books that changed my life in 2016.
#1.) The Untethered Soul
The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer was actually recommended to me by a reader here on the blog. I’m so happy it came into my path. Singer’s words provided me with tools to heal and live a peaceful life. I had many moments of awakening as I read through it.
He helped me witness the situation of pain in a new light… from a space of awareness. He reminded me how to tap into the power of pure consciousness. He helped me discover the glorious witness side of my being, the part that’s made of pure love and light.
#2.) Letting Go: The Pathway to Surrender
David Hawkins’ book, Letting Go: The Pathway to Surrender, was the next profound book that fell into my path and was a perfect follow up to the Untethered Soul.
I’ve practiced the art of “letting go” ever since finishing this one, which is not an easy thing to do. Surrender is truly an art.
I learned that in order for emotions to release from my body, they needed to first be acknowledged, then let go. This practice of awareness and release is powerful. Talk about freedom.
#3.) It Didn’t Start With You
Mark Wolynn’s book, It Didn’t Start With You, came my way after I caught a snippet of the book in an article on epigenetics and past family trauma. I was immediately intrigued and ordered the book right away.
The stories and recollections in the book got me curious about my own family history. In exploration of this, I discovered many things that helped explain why I was raised the way I was raised and why I am the way that I am.
He helped me see the long term impacts of unresolved trauma and how that can get passed on to reappear subconsciously in future generations.
To decipher this past trauma, Mark’s big on the evaluation of language. Many times past hurt and trauma can be revealed in the way that we speak or write about our troubles. The writing exercises in the book were eye opening for me and helped me see that I carry beliefs and emotional baggage that didn’t start with me.
The book had a major impact on my life and prompted me to re-evaluate what I needed to address to heal.
#4.) Full Catastrophe Living
Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn was another book recommended by an endo sister in the Peace with Endo community.
I noticed big shifts in my life after reading this one. It’s a long 600 page journey filled with great wisdom.
Jon Kabat Zinn’s words are divine. He beautifully describes the magic of mindful living and goes into detail about the mindfulness stress reduction program and how this greatly benefits those of us living with chronic illness, pain and stress.
#5.) Women Who Run With the Wolves
Women Who Run With The Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, goes down as one of the best books I’ve ever read.
I loved the breakdown of the different stories in the book in regards to the female psyche and spiritual pull of the wild woman. I feel drawn to the wild woman within me, who I now see was silenced decades ago.
I know I will revisit this one again as the wisdom within was a lot to take in, even in the month’s time it took for me to finish it.
#6. The Universe Has Your Back
I loved Gabrielle Bernstein’s latest book, The Universe Has Your Back. This was the first I’ve read from Gabby, though I’ve listened to her speak several times and was drawn to her energy.
The core message within is to turn to love. The book is filled with exercises and meditations to help you be present, open, and surrender to the higher workings of God, the universe, however you describe it. She taught me how to become open to receive and how to relax in knowing that my desires can come true.
#7. Wishes Fulfilled
There’s magic in these words from Wayne Dyer in his book Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting. I could feel it as I absorbed his wisdom.
He helped me to see that anything is possible. This book changed my perceptions and awareness of using the powerful words “I AM”, in recognition that there is a part of God in all of us and our purpose and passion is an extension of that.
#8. Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Every book that’s made an impact on my life this year has in some way mentioned the ideas of Carl Jung. So, it made sense that 2016 led me to read Jung’s autobiography Memories, Dreams, Reflections.
I initially heard Carl Jung’s name in relation to his ideas on synchronicity: “an apparently meaningful coincidence in time of two or more similar or identical events that are causally unrelated.”
I’ve heard this idea of synchronicity relayed as silent workings of a higher power. It’s said that synchronicity is more likely to occur when you are in tune with your higher self and purpose. Having connected in this way through meditation and free flow writing, I can attest that this is true. I’m amazed at the miracles that have occurred in my life in synchronicity.
This was summed up in an extraordinary way as I read the autobiography of Carl Jung. A man whose name keeps appearing. A man I’ve felt drawn to. I could feel the energy in his words, which were some of his last words written before his life ended.
I am taken aback by how much I relate to his story, his upbringing, his teachings on “the shadow” and most intriguing to me, the idea of a collective unconsciousness and connection with all living things.
We are all part of this collective unconsciousness and we can impact it by going within. As summed up by a plaque my father gave me years ago with a quote by Jung, “Who looks outside dreams, who looks inside, awakens.”
Jung’s words are wise and couldn’t come at a more opportune time, as I’ve pierced the shadow of mine in a big way over the past couple of weeks.
#9. Medical Medium
I was immediately intrigued by the story of the author, Anthony William, in his book, Medical Medium. At an early age Anthony was connected with what he refers to as the spirit of compassion, or simply, “spirit”.
Through this connection with this divine being, Anthony is able to immediately read a person and know what their health issue is and how to heal it. And spirit is never wrong.
Because of this connection, Anthony has helped thousands of people heal from mystery chronic conditions. These are conditions that the doctors are stumped by. Your lab tests come back, “normal”. There’s nothing wrong with you. Worse yet, “It’s all in your head.”
One of my biggest struggles with the world of alternative healing are the confusing contradictory claims, I feel like Anthony set a lot of those theories straight in the book. I feel enlightened after reading it and am left feeling hopeful that I too can heal from chronic illness. I’ve started to implement his suggestions and am already feeling better.
#10. Anatomy of the Spirit
While I just started reading Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing by Caroline Myss, I am already impacted.
Caroline has helped bring attention to my own energy and how I relate to my sense of power or powerlessness. She’s already opened up my eyes to the impacts of past trauma, stored emotions and beliefs. Wowza. I’m excited to dig in deeper.
On the Positive Side?
The inspiring words on this list were recommended to me by others I’ve come in contact with on my healing path this year, or they fell into my path so I could not miss them.
I believe that we are given what we need when we need it, as long as we are open to receiving. What a great lesson that’s been this year.
Have you read any of the books above? Which books have impacted your life and/or healing journey?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Much LOVE,
