1. The Art of Resilience: 100 Paths to Wisdom and Strength in an Uncertain World by Carol Orsborn. New York: Three Rivers Press/Random House, 1997.While pursuing my doctorate in the History and Critical Theory of Religion at Vanderbilt, I was exposed to the greatest thinkers of all times and eras addressing why some people thrive no matter what, while others become victimized by life’s circumstances. This book aims to inspire by discussing the stages of recovery from life’s blows. |
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2. Contemplative Prayer By Thomas Merton. New York: Image Books, 1996I love everything I’ve read of Thomas Merton, but this is the one of his I read when I was downsized, and I notice that most of it is underlined. Merton reminds us not to define ourselves by our jobs, material wealth, or externals of any kind, but rather to develop a relationship with the divine, independent of external judgment. Also helpful for those of us who seek escape through spirituality, by reminding us that the contemplative life’s purpose is ultimately to re-engage with the world to effect positive change. |
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3. Dark Nights of the Soul by Thomas Moore. New York: Gotham Books, 2004.Moore dives into the mystery of human suffering, offering insight and inspiration. |
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4. Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life by James Hollis, Ph.D. New York, Gothan Books, 2005.This helpful and inspiring book by a Jungian analyst busts the myths of the perfect ever after image of adult life and puts turbulent emotional shifts at midlife and beyond into developmental context. |
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5. The Five Stages of the Soul: Charting the Spiritual Passages That Shape Our Lives by Harry Moody, PhD. New York: Anchor Books, 1997. Interweaving psychology, myth, and literature, Harry Moody charts the passage through five stages of spiritual awakening, most initiated by crisis. |
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6. Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton. New York: W.W. Norton, 1973.May’s willingness to strip away convention to face, struggle with and ultimately honor her whole self–warts and all–provides comfort to one who is also struggling, whether the stripping away was self-chosen or not. |
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7. Warrior of the Light: A Manual by Paulo Coelho. New York, Harper Collins, 2002. I like most everything by Coelho (prior to 2009). This is a book of thoughts about embracing the uncertainty of life, and rising to meet our own unique destinies. |
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8. Overcoming Life’s Disappointments by Harold Kushner. New York, Anchor Books, 2006. Kushner wisely uses Moses as a role model for learning to cope with frustration. Hey, we only got downsized out of jobs. Moses worked at a single goal for 40 years, and was denied entry into the promised land–but still managed to keep his faith. |
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9. Scarred By Struggle, Transformed By Hope by Joan Chittister. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 2003.Joan, a Catholic nun, loves the story of Jacob struggling on the banks of the Jabbok as much as I do, and uses it as the book’s metaphor for facing life’s difficulties with grace. |
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10. Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living by Pema Chodron. Boston: Shambhala, 1994. Learning to embrace rather than deny the painful aspects of our lives, and move on with compassion and joy. Pema is a Buddhist nun. |
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11. To a Dancing God by Sam Keen. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1990.Autobiography in the context of theology and philosophy. A great read for anyone in the mood to rebel against any kind of authority, divine or otherwise. This book inspires readers to tell their own stories and reclaim the notion of life as a sacred adventure. |
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The pain certainly didn't feel good to me. Understanding why we are the way we are is a good thing. When I was 12 I got food poisioning..Ecoli..my Dad had planned a fishing trip for months..my Mom told him I was too sick to go..he said she has ruined
I hope you like the results you get. I am still using it since this original post from a couple of months ago. I am quite pleased. I have tried & discarded enough cosmetics to stock a small store. LOL
I agree you shouldn't "keep reading" but I don't believe in moving on to the next chapter if I speed-read the last one without comprehending it. Then I agree, move on, the better for having analyzed. Sometimes we stick with the old chapters because t
I read May Sarton’s journals, including this volume, as they came out-is it really that long ago? Funny how the first thing that pops into mind when I saw that title was lobster. In the midst of her soul searching and gardening, she always seemed to be popping lobsters into the boiling pot for guests.
In spite of the wisdom, the beauty of her words.. it’s those lobster memories that make my mouth water still. lol
That…and her love of flowers. In fact, I think she tended to be more comfortable with flora and fauna often than people–but I love her vulnerability and honesty. She speaks out loud the secret things many feeling people think, and somehow, that makes me feel more a part of the human race.
11 of the books that have helped me the most through difficult/tragic situations are; 1) The Bible 2) Stepping Stones To Recovery – Bill Pittman 3) God, Are You There? – Kay Arthur 4) Battlefield of the Mind – Joyce Meyer 5) Family Blessings – Rolf Garborg 6) 90 Minutes In Heaven – Don Piper 7) On A Personal Note – Rita McNeil
Allies in Healing – Laura Davis 9) The Road Less Travelled – M Scott Peck, MD 10) The Cross and The Switchblade – David Wilkerson 11) Each New Day – Corrie Ten Boom
I just keep reading them over and over, they give me strenght and hope.