MARCH 15, 2021: BLOG #17
Books to Feed Your Creative Soul When You Need a Serious Pick-Me-Up
Disclaimer: The information you are about to read is based off of my own opinions. Not intended to be taken as professional advice. Just for fun to read and to maybe open up your mind to something new. Enjoy and thanks for taking the time to read my post!
Image by Daniel Hannah from Pixabay
As I continue my own creative journey, writing stories, lyrics, sarcastic-yet-inspiring-and-absolutely-true quotes, and these blog posts, or really just writing about anything for the hell of it, I’ve come across a few books that I wanted to share with you. Figured it might light that fire in you as it had in me. Maybe even give you that extra jolt of juice so that you can step into your power.
Kindle that fire. Like that episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender where Zuko gets into a funk when he tries to use his fire ability. So he and Aang have to learn how to firebend from the masters. (Season 3, episode 13: “The Firebending Masters”)
So below are your firebending masters.
This is not an exhaustive list. When I come across more, I’d love to spread the word about books that have come into my life and changed me.
1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert
If you haven’t heard of this, I’d highly recommend it. It’s written by the same author as Eat Pray Love, who, in my angsty teenage years, mocked and doubted because I’ve only ever heard of her book when the movie Eat Pray Love came out. And I thought “Pffft, a woman goes on a journey of self-discovery. Well isn’t that the same, cliché storyline spat out.”
I picked up this book when a writing class recommended it to me. And I was in awe. And I felt horrible for the quick judgments I passed about the author. Because Big Magic transformed me. Yes, I believed in the magic again! As a creative, this book brought the positivity, inspiration, and insight that felt so foreign in the arts where so many people gravitate towards the cynical, frustrated, tormented artist outlook about their work. Ironic, I know.
But this book isn’t just for people in the arts. This book is for people who want to live a fulfilling life. Because creativity, as Elizabeth Gilbert notes, is innate in all human beings. And creativity and self-expression is one of the greatest gifts of human beings. So read this. Recapture that magic in your life.
2. The Proximity Principle – Ken Coleman
Most of you have probably heard of Dave Ramsey, right? Well let me introduce you to Ken Coleman, a career coach who works with Ramsey (watch or listen to his show – The Ken Coleman Show – it’s wonderful!). And let me introduce you to this funny, amazing simple concept that we all actually know about but rarely put into practice.
It’s called the “Proximity Principle”. Ken Coleman believes that humans are created to do work. But that doesn’t mean miserably working at a job you despise, in a company or with a boss that sucks the life out of you. No! Coleman encourages finding work that’s fulfilling. AKA finding what you’re meant to do. Because each of us has a specific reason for being here and we all have a purpose, a role to fulfill, whatever that might be.
Looking for a career change? Feeling like your work doesn’t exactly light up your soul? Then read this book, or watch the show. Start taking the steps to live the life you want to.
Oh, and if you think, well I can’t just go after my dreams because I have to confine myself to this job in order to get money, then look at Dave Ramsey’s books and show (available on YouTube). No more excuses. Be the human you are created to be. Do the meaningful work you’re meant to do. Because you can do it!
3. The Geography of Lost Things – Jessica Brody
This one isn’t a self-help book. But, if you really think about it, isn’t every book really a self-help book? When you get called to read something. When you enjoy it and your heart sings reading it. When it makes you want to go back in and experience the story all over again because it gave you the most satisfying feeling. I digress. I could go on and on about that.
Why I recommend this book under my “Books to Feed Your Creative Soul” is because at one point, we’ve all felt lost in some way. For those of you who want to argue me on this, don’t lie to yourself, you have felt lost in some way. It’s part of being human. Part of our life journey. It’s normal.
However, when you’re lost, you don’t stay lost. You find a way to be found again. That’s also part of the journey.
This book is about appreciating things, feelings, people, places, situations, etc.
Ali and Nico go on a road trip up the West Coast from California to Washington after Ali’s father passes away and leaves her with his prized possession: a classic muscle car. In desperate need of money, Ali decides to sell the car to someone to get the money she needs. During the trip, Nico suggests that Ali tries to accumulate the money by trading up with others instead of selling her late-father’s car until they have an item worth enough to match the value she needs. You’re thinking what Ali’s thinking, whaaaat?!? Well in this journey, these two teens learn about how value is relative to the individual. Though junk to some and lost to the world because they hold little to no monetary worth, these items have value to others.
Here’s the words of wisdom, ready for it? Lost things don’t stay lost. Lost things or “unwanted things” are valuable when in the right hands. When it connects with the right people who are meant to hear, see, feel, and appreciate it. And that’s up to the universe to make these connections. Which the universe will do, so don’t scoff.
As an average person, I feel lost many times. I feel like I’m a nobody. That my creative works won’t mean anything. That I don’t mean anything. But your message, your works will fall into the right hands. And that individual or those individuals will find value in it. Everything is a treasure to someone.
No, you don’t need to go on a road trip to discover this, unless you want to which is totally cool! You can go on a spiritual road trip. Because those lost things are looking to be found. Just like you are.
