Self Growth Books

I once read that those who read live a thousand lives before they die, while those that never read live only one. Reading is medicine for the soul, whether it is a gripping fiction (my

favourite is I Am Pilgrim) or a historic account, reading can transport you to many places while staying exactly where you are. Self growth/help books, though they are not as relaxing as Harry Potter, are something I enjoy. They really expand your awareness and perspective on life and help you to see a larger picture. Here are some books that I liked (in no particular order), including both heavy ones and some slightly smaller easier to digest reads. Happy reading!

Keep Calm and Carry On

This is a cute and sweet little motivational book that I often pull out and flick to a random page for some inspiration and hope. It contains many different quotes, proverbs and motivational boosts. One of my favourite reminders come from this petite guide, 'Don't worry about the world ending today, it's already tomorrow in Australia'.

Treasure Yourself

I got this book when I first became ill and it is the one thing that got little fourteen year old me back into a state of hope. Miranda Kerr has always been one of my biggest role models, she radiates a sense of peace, understanding and compassion. The book begins with a beautiful story of a caterpillar's transformation; in order to fly, the new butterfly must first struggle through its cocoon to strengthen its wings. Miranda discusses her life journey in the beginning of the book while the second half contains affirmations. It is a fantastic account for those who wish to incorporate affirmations into their life, it's also really pretty and gorgeously designed.

It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done

I found this book in my study a few months ago, it belongs to my dad but I really like it. Similarly to 'Keep Calm and Carry On', it contains many sayings and verses from inspirational people, ranging from Oprah to the Dalai Lama to Le Bron James. I really like opening it when I'm having a hard day for a boost of strength and willpower. 

The Secret

This book changed my life. I say this with full conviction and honesty as I really truly mean it. I first stumbled across the movie in August of last year and I then bought the book the following day. I saw the way it came into my life as a sign from the universe or God (whoever is up there!). It discusses the law of attraction and acts as a manual on how to incorporate it into your life. When I first heard about it I thought it was another one of those online gimmicks but something inside me told me to look into it a bit more. I've read the book several times since and I can whole heartedly say that I am a true believer in the law of attraction, that our thoughts truly do become things. I'm not going to lie and say it is easy to have complete faith in as for me I know my mind constantly doubts my intentions and the 'what ifs' creep in. I have manifested many things into my life (both good and bad) since grasping a greater understanding of the law of attraction but I am still learning a lot. This particular movie/book is a little out there and slightly old fashioned but it became the benchmark for which I further expanded my knowledge and awareness. It's not everyone's cup of tea, in fact some people think I'm a little crazy when I talk about it but others whole heartedly believe and trust in it too; it is working miracles for them and their happiness. There is many way in which you can learn about the law of attraction but I believe every single being should read this book, you have nothing to lose but perhaps everything to gain!

Big Magic

I bought this after reading my favourite novel 'Eat Pray Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is a fantastic piece of work that helps you connect to your inner creativity and develop a bond with 'inspiration'. Elizabeth is realistic, funny and down to earth in her approach which I find really helpful. Her concepts are enjoyable and more easy to grasp compared to other self help books. I really can't wait to read it again, it's a must buy for those who want to tap into their inner creativity and take the leap to follow their dreams. 

You Are Amazing

I received this book in a gorgeous parcel from my amazingly beautiful friend Leona a few months ago. I read it from start to finish when I opened her gift and it made me cry. It's really uplifting, light and encouraging. This little tool is brilliant to keep with you in your hand bag or school locker for some potent and touching words of self love and belief. Thank you Leona. (I can't find this online).

The Power of Now

Another life changing book. I found it thought provoking yet draining and quite difficult to read...but in a really good way. I've read this three times now, I learn something new and leave feeling different each time. I would advise studying it with a highlighter or pen to underline and pencil in anything that you feel resonates with you. Many of my friends and family members have read this, I truly believe it should be on school booklists as it really helps you put life in perspective and enables you to understand your role in your own suffering. 

The Little Book of Mindfulness

This little gem was gifted to me by another beautiful friend of mine. It is simplistic and authentic in its approach towards enlightenment and peace. It is another really handy guide as an introduction to mindfulness and can be opened on any page for some momentary wisdom! I would advise anyone who is beginning to experiment with their spirituality and inner happiness to perhaps invest in a few small guides like these to slowly but surely ease into it.

Heart Thoughts

Another book that a gorgeous friend got me, I'm so lucky! This is a stunningly designed text filled with affirmations of every kind and variation. Not only is it pleasant to look at, the affirmations are powerful, affirmative and bright. Many affirmations can be found online and you could opt to design or print your own. Saying that, this book is simply beautiful and a great option for those who prefer an easier and more robust access to inspiration.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that you may find a book for you! What are your favourite self growth books? There are so many more wonderful reads out there but I hope these few will suit a wide range of readers and learners.  Feel free to ask me any questions about these and blog requests in the comments below or anonymously in the ASK section of my blog.  Click here to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on new blog posts.

Lost at Last 

Have you ever found yourself completely lost? You had your whole life planned out, down to each intricate detail. Everything would be perfect and you would be in control, life would be good at last. But then fate got involved, change decided to mix things up and surprise chose to upheaval your plans. Now nothing is as it was meant to be, your future feels ruined and your life an inescapable mess.

This was supposed to be the year of my life, I was going to finally begin my journey to freedom. I thought I would be exploring eastern Europe with my best friend, road tripping through west America with my family, hoping for a straight A leaving cert, packing my bags to study business and French in Trinity, celebrating my 18th birthday in Paris, dancing at Electric Picnic and living my life like a ‘normal’ teenager. 

Yet here I find myself, perhaps with you, on a completely different and unexpected path. We feel like we’ve been abandoned in the middle of a large open meadow; we don’t know where to go, we don’t know which way to turn, we don’t even know right from left or up from down. We could become immensely overwhelmed at the sight of the towering trees, the cacophony of the screeching crows and the smell of the wild evergreen. We could cry with fear over how scared we are, scream in anger at the world for placing us here and faint at the thought of all the different stony routes out of this clearing. Alternatively, we could pick up the budding yellow rose next to us and smile at its intricate beauty, laugh with the rhythm of the sweet sounding swallows and gaze in awe at the infinite, deep blue sky. The choice is ours, it’s just a matter of perspective. We may feel lost, scared and confused at our own life situations but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing, in fact this feeling could be the very thing that will set you and I, both, free. 

In order to be found we must first be lost.

So tighten up your ponytail and put on your walking shoes because your journey is just beginning! Pick a path and don’t look back (…in anger lol) and try not to sneak a glance at other people's routes either. The person next to you may be miles ahead or far behind but they too have their own bridges to cross, mountains to climb and tunnels to crawl through. 

You have a choice, to take a chance, to make a change.

Thank you so much for reading this post, I hope what I have learned along my journey can be of some benefit to you. Please leave any suggestions or questions below in the comments section or anonymously in the ASK section of my blog. Click here to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on new blog posts. I hope you enjoyed!

lots of love & peace & happiness

Lauren x

Thank You

It is not happiness which brings us gratitude, it is gratitude which brings us happiness. Gratitude is like a magnet, the more grateful you are, the more you will receive to be grateful. The benefits gratitude can bring you are endless. It's proven that those who express their grace are happier, sleep better, are kinder and even have better immune systems! Here are someways I discovered to help me on my gratitude journey.

1. Gratitude Journal

The best way to express your gratitude is through, well, expressing it! There are many different ways in which you can illustrate how grateful you are. I use a gratitude journal to recall 5-10 things I am grateful for every day. The secret to gratitude journaling is depth over breadth; studies show that those who express greater gratitude for a small number of things rather than little gratitude for a lot of things, are happier. Try and be specific, rather than writing that you are grateful for your family everyday, pick a specific moment that you experienced that day of which you are grateful, for example, 'I am grateful that my sister did my ironing today'. Through doing this you will increase your present awareness and notice more thing of which you are grateful for. You can use an old copy, a voice recorder app or the notes section on your phone. Alternatively, I printed off these mini gratitude posties and stuck them into random pages of my normal diary for days when I don't feel like journaling twice.

2. Affirmations

I once read that the words 'I AM' are the most powerful words in the world as what you put after them shapes your reality. You believe what you tell yourself! Begin each day with a grateful heart. When you wakeup each morning, look in the mirror and repeat the words 'I am grateful'. You may not believe what you speak but your mind is listening and so is the universe. The vibes you exclaim are the vibes you will inevitably reclaim. I plan on doing a post on positive affirmations and their benefits in the future.

3. Secret Symbol

A good method I use to practice gratitude is through secret symbols. I used to keep 'gratitude rocks' in my pencil case and every time I looked at them I would recall one thing I am grateful for. You could use a bracelet, pen, your screensaver or anything as your secret gratitude symbol. Every time you see it, it will act as a reminder to count your blessings.

4. Routine

Alternatively, another way you can incorporate gratitude into your daily life is through making it part of your daily routine. I was once advised to carry out one ritual with complete awareness and mindfulness everyday. I decided to also adapt this idea for expressing gratitude. Every time I brush my teeth I mentally list things I am grateful for. You could incorporate this into your routine in many different ways; go on a gratitude walk, have a gratitude bath, drink a cup of gratitude tea!

5. Silver Linings

'Every cloud has a silver lining'. No matter how dark or dreary your present moment may seem, there is always something to be grateful for. Even if you can not see it now, your pain has positivity. You can introduce gratitude in perhaps the most powerful way through negative experiences, during or after they occur. It doesn't have to be awfully traumatic, it can be something as simple as having to park your car in the space furthest from the shop...'I am grateful I have legs to walk the rest of the way, I am grateful I have a car to drive me here, I am grateful I have money to buy things, I am grateful.' Notice how this will begin to transform your perspective, your thoughts and your smile!

6. Reflection

Everything you have gone through has brought you to where you are today. Take time to reflect on all that you have in your life. Your life may not be perfect, you may feel you are in lack but in reality you are exactly where you are meant to be. 'Maktub', an ancient Arabic alchemist proverb encompassing destiny, literally translates 'it was written'. What if our whole life was in fact written in the stars, if everything was indeed happening for a reason and if we knew that in the end, it would all be OK? Perhaps we would recognise life as a gift, enjoying and accepting the journey (both the up and the downs) more. Reflect on your chosen path, look at how every little moment has made you into the amazingly, beautiful person you are today. Out of all the trillions and billions of cells in the universe, a collection were perfectly formed together to create YOU! You get to experience humanity, you get to breathe, think, see, hear, love. Through every hardship, every difficulty and every seemingly insurmountable mountain, you survived, you overcame and you conquered. You are alive and you are you. There is nothing more you could want; we are born with nothing, we die with nothing; life is the gift. 

Something to remember with practicing gratitude is to hold awareness for any guilt appearing. Recently I found myself becoming so upset at how selfish I thought I was, there are people out there with nothing yet here I am still finding fault in my own life. We could be fleeing civil war in Syria but instead we're worrying about how many likes our Instagrams get. It was pointed out to me that others' suffering does not undermine or discredit your own. An illness is an illness, suffering is suffering. You may have a broken leg, expressing gratitude for your leg will hopefully increase your happiness but you will still have a broken leg. This applies to all other hardships and aspects of your life. Gratitude can however give you a clearer mind and a more proactive mindset to help you take action towards healing your 'broken leg'.

I am grateful for YOU.

I am so thankful that you took the time out to read this. What is one thing you are grateful for today? Comment below how you express your gratitude. You can subscribe to my blog below through typing in your email address. Please leave any suggestions or questions below in the comments section or anonymously in the ASK section of my blog. Click here to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on new blog posts. I hope you enjoyed!

lots of love & peace & happiness

Lauren x

1. Go With the Flow

You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf', a quote that my beautiful friend Sarah once told me. The ocean teaches us the art of surrendering all which you think you know and accepting what is. The sea knows no boundaries, it moves with the wind, flows with the currents, manoeuvres through the shape of the land over which it flows...what if we could be like that too? Surrendering to what is does not mean giving up or that you are happy with a situation. Through acceptance you will gain a clear perspective on how to initiate change. Eckhart Tolle describes in his book 'The Power of Now' that if you are drowning at sea, flailing around in the water, screaming that it's unfair and gasping to stay afloat will not change your situation. However, through accepting what is and surrendering to 'the flow' (literally) you can then make a more informed choice on how exactly you are going to save yourself.

2. Never Give Up

Each time a wave kisses the shoreline it's immediately pulled back, but it returns constantly, it never gives up. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. However, like snowflakes and finger prints, each wave's ebb and flow is different yet hopeful in whatever it aims to achieve. The sea teaches us how to keep going in adversity and to try and try again.

3. You Are a Force of Nature

Have you ever stood with your toes in the damp sand to only be soaked by a giant wave seconds later? Nature is unstoppable, uncontainable, uncontrollable...and so are you. Do not underestimate the power of your mind, body and soul. Like a tsunami you can move mountains, like the rain you can cleanse souls and like steam you can rise again. You can do whatever you set your mind to, you contain all the power within yourself. We have more in common with the sea then we think, after all, we are both salt water mixed with air.

4. You Can Change

A few weeks ago I found myself in tears explaining how I feel like the fluidity of water. 'I feel like liquid. I don't know who I am...I don't know my boundaries...pour me into a cup and I will be that cup, pour me into a glass cube and I will willingly become the cube. I will do anything to make others happy but it leaves me feeling fake, fraudulent...lost. Oh my God am I Polonius from Hamlet?!?'...(yes this was a genuine conversation, lol at me). The reply was simple yet terrifying, 'Ah yes, an adaptation of the chameleon effect in psychology, sometimes seen in extreme perfectionists, like you'. When I was replaying this conversation in my head and trying to figure out ways in which I could become more in line with my core values, I questioned why I had described the feeling as water-like rather than that of a reptile? It clicked with me that perhaps some part of me new that I have the power to change. Unlike a chameleon, water can diversify. It can form into strong towering ice bergs, light fluffy clouds or even soft yet dense vapour. We are not confined to the person we were last year, yesterday or even five seconds ago; we can constantly change and grow into who we truly are and want to be.

5. There's More to You

'Her sentences were icebergs with just the tip of her thoughts coming out of her mouth, the rest kept up in her head'. We are all aware of the Titanic tragedy, who could have known that something which appeared so defined and distinct was in fact much more immense than anyone could have ever imagined. Like icebergs, there is so much more to you than meets the eye. I don't know the real you; your biggest fears and dreams, your favorite memories, your deepest secrets, just as you don't know mine. There is so much more beneath everyone's perceived surface level. Someone may seem happy and successful but perhaps they are miserable and lonely within. Next time you feel an urge to judge a person or situation, try and think of a floating block of ice, you never know what is occurring underneath.

1. Smile

So simple but so effective! It's proven that by simply turning the corners of your mouth your brain releases endorphins which make you happy. Even if you feel the complete opposite, smiling can actually trick your brain into thinking you are in a good mood. I remember a lady told me to always use the 'Mona Lisa' smile (an unrecognisable upturned lip); when you talk, walk, breathe and even sleep (if you can hehe), by simply doing so your mind is in a constant state of underlying peace and happiness irrespective of your thoughts. So smile while you still have teeth!

2. Mindfulness

'Just be mindful!', perhaps one of the most popular yet aloof piece of advice I and many others have received and given...but what does it mean? For a long time I didn't really understand what it meant to be mindful, the word itself is contradictory but through reading different books and articles and trying it for myself, mindfulness really inhabits the act of being mind-less rather than mind-full. It involves living fully in the present moment and being completely in the 'now'. When you are first introduced to this you might think it is an airy concept. I remember being told to stare at a leaf for one minute and notice every little vein, spec of green and caterpillar hole, it immediately brought a halt to my whizzing thoughts but my friend thought it was absolutely rubbish and got into an argument with the poor lady! A simple way you can introduce mindfulness is through your breath. Try taking big deep slow breaths through your nose. Listen to the sound of the inhale and exhale. Focus completely on the feeling of the air passing through your nostrils, down your throat and into your lungs. Imagine a beautiful colour passing through your body spreading love, peace and happiness to each fingertip and toe, to every nook and cranny. Watch the way your belly rises and expands. If your thoughts begin to drift away, bring the awareness back to your breath. Breathe out every last drop of air until there is no more left inside you. Repeat this process for one minute and notice how you feel afterwards. Try not to punish yourself if your mind constantly drifts to its thinking state, it is completely natural at the beginning and how we as humans have been groomed. Hopefully you will feel a little more relaxed, at ease and clear headed. Now imagine being like that all of the time; that is mindfulness! I will be doing a post all about mindfulness soon.

3. Gratitude

'Remember the time you prayed for everything you have now.' Isn't that amazing to think about?! I know I am definitely guilty of not stopping to smell the roses and realise just how lucky I am. It's proven that people who express daily gratitude are happier and also live longer! You woke up this morning, you have eyes that can read these words, you have technology to communicate with others, you have clothes, food, water, shelter and many more; there is always always something to be grateful for even in the midst of scarcity and depletion. I definitely want to do a post about gratitude in the future but tonight before you go to sleep, why not try writing or recalling a list of ten things you are grateful for? It will fill you with so much love and gratefulness for simply being alive. 

4. Treat Yo' Self

Something that I definitely struggle a lot with is treating myself but I'm starting to realise that it's not a selfish act but actually a selfless one. I am beginning to understand that as humans we can't constantly push ourselves to be busy and working all the time and that we do deserve rest. If like me you struggle with immense guilt at the thought of being nice to yourself try and think about the fact that in the long term it will boost your mood and productivity levels, thus helping others. A little goes a long way and treating yourself everyday can do wonders for your happiness. It doesn't have to be extravagant or costly; paint your nails, listen to your favorite songs, have a bath or light a candle. Do something that you love and makes you feel good. For me it's sitting down with a cup of black coffee while playing sudoku on my phone or watching an episode of Fun For Louis in bed at night. How will you treat your self today?

5. Random Acts of Kindness

Random acts of kindness (RAK's) are a win win situation for everyone. It makes both the giver and receiver feel amazing! I try to do at least one RAK a day whether it is something as simple as texting my friend a positive quote or making my parents a cup of tea. There are hundreds of ways you can express kindness towards someone today, even just telling someone you love them is sure to make you and others happier.