Originally posted on MaseTV 7/7/13

As a recent college grad, I’ve found myself at a major point in my life where I really want to find myself. I know that I have no more time to waste procrastinating on what I want to do with my life, and the best way to figure out where I want to go in life is by digging within myself and finding exactly who I am and what brings me true joy.

I began reading the Holy Bible daily about 2 years ago which led me to become one with myself in a way I could have never imagined. I started reading various spiritual-based self-empowerment books last year, and they’ve all helped me connect with myself in one way or another.

I’m constantly being asked by my friends about what books can I suggest for them to read, which lets me know that we ALL want to connect with ourselves and find that inner peace that God has promised to us. After reading these books I have since gone on to launch my own media and entertainment business (MaseTV.com), and have a deeper appreciation for life which allows me to party harder than anybody I know and enjoy every moment of my life (good or bad). So don’t sleep on finding yourself, because you’ll be surprised by what you find.

Here are some great self-empowerment books that can help you along your journey of life. These books are on the spiritual side so if you’re an atheist you might not want to purchase any of these. However, these books can help introduce you to you and re-connect you with your past so that you can let go of any pain that’s still holding you back today. I’m telling you, it’s so worth it!

Purpose Driven Life by  Rick Warren– The most basic question everyone faces in life is Why am I here? What is my purpose? Self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but Rick Warren says the starting place must be with God and his eternal purposes for each life. Real meaning and significance comes from understanding and fulfilling God’s purposes for putting us on earth. This book is a 40-day diet (buy the journal as well it’s worth it), that takes you on a daily journey of answering those questions that work to introduce you to God’s love and unique plan for your life.

How else will you figure out what you’re meant to be if you don’t ask your creator?

Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer- Joyce Meyer is one of the world’s leading Bible teachers whose bestselling books have helped millions of people find restoration through Jesus Christ. Having suffered sexual abuse as a child and an emotionally abusive first marriage, she discovered the freedom to live victoriously by applying God’s Word to her life. Meyer offers plenty of scripture and examples from her own life to help overcome negative thoughts. Eloquent and entertaining, she presents the truth in a no-nonsense fashion that challenges her listeners to put God’s Word to action in their own lives.

Joyce teaches us that the battle for our soul is being fought in our minds and how we have the power to reclaim our victory by putting more effort into thinking about what we think about. I was surprised to learn how much mental cleansing I needed to do in myself, but after reading this book, I’ve recommended it to so many others, and use this book as a reference for whenever I catch myself being negative again. This is definitely a MUST read!

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz – In The Four Agreements shamanic teacher and healer Don Miguel Ruiz exposes self-limiting beliefs and presents a simple yet effective code of personal conduct learned from his Toltec ancestors. Full of grace and simple truth, this handsomely designed book makes a lovely gift for anyone making an elementary change in life, and it reads in a voice that you would expect from an indigenous shaman. The four agreements are these: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best. It’s the simplicity of Ruiz’ words that make you feel this deeper, more pleasant, connection to life and all living things around you.

Peace from Broken Pieces by Iyanla Vanzant- It is often difficult to identify the exact moment that your life falls apart. In most cases, it is not a one-shot deal but a variety of life experiences that worked to break you down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Iyanla takes us on her journey in life of being broken down into pieces from various heartbreaking life experiences to being rebuilt up into peace. Her journey is like all of our journeys, and we’re able to learn so much from her words of prophetic wisdom.

This book helped me dig into my past experiences and free myself from any pain that I was still unknowingly holding on to. So many people I know are not where they want to be in life because, “you don’t know what happened to me as a child”, “I’ve never been smart or attractive”, “He broke my heart”, or “Why did they have to die”. These are life experiences that may break us down at the time it’s happening, but Iyanla helps us understand why God allows these things to happen, and how much more powerful we are because of our setbacks.

Cast of Characters by Max Lucado – Max Lucado looks at a range of different people from the Bible. Every chapter and point Lucado makes, he backs up with Bible verses. It is clear from this book that he is a man who knows his Bible well. If you want to get a deeper in-depth understanding of the Bible, as well as learn how important you are to God, then this is the book for you. Lucado breaks down certain characters in the Bible in their normal human form to make you realize, “Hey….I’m just like Paul.”. It will make you connect with so many biblical characters in ways you never imagined, and help you understand God’s love for you, and how important you are to him.

The Power of Words by Joyce Meyer- Words are powerful tools that can create or destroy. They can inspire you or wound you. What you say will affect you either in a positive or negative way. This 4-CD series from Joyce explains how you can gain control over your mouths and tap into the power of words.  You’ll learn how the Holy Spirit can help you harness your words, the effect your words have in the spiritual realm, how your words affect us in the natural realm, and the importance of speaking the Word of God out loud.

I didn’t realize how much power my words had, and how much damage I was putting myself in with what I say, until after reading this book. This book was definitely a life changer. You really have to understand how much power your words have. It says in the Bible that the power of life or death is in the tongue. That’s no coincidence. This is definitely a MUST read! Once you start to use the right words, your life can radically transform into something beautiful. Begin exercising the power of words today!

When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado- Do you find it hard to believe that God loves you and desires an intimate relationship with you? Life circumstances can leave you with a distorted image of God and His intentions for you. Lucado will help erase those views of God and show you who He truly is, a loving creator and Father who longs to draw out your best self and teach you to hope again. This book helped connect me with my creator, and with myself. After reading this I knew too that there was a divine purpose for my life, and I wake up every day motivated to be the best me I can be because I know that he watches me.

Like I said before, these books are NOT for the atheist. But no matter how big or small your spiritual side is, I guarantee you will gain something from reading these books if you have a passion for success and happiness in life. These 7 books remind you of what truly matters in life, and how to obtain that happiness that we all desire in life. So get to reading and connecting with yourself. You won’t regret it!

Connecting with yourself spiritually will allow you to understand that you can be exactly who you want to be. As long as you know God has you covered in everything you do, and you’re not trying to harm anyone…..you can be free to live.

 

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