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Stretch Your Mind —
Inspirational Classics |
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How is it that we
can find meaning in life when confronted with a
hopeless situation? This is the very premise in Dr.
Frankl's reflective and inspiring writings. Born
out of the years he spent as a prisoner in
concentration camps—and what kept him going,
Man's
Search for
Meaning
explores the basis of human potential and we can
rise above any situation that causes
suffering. Santiago, a
shepherd boy searching for his "treasure," teaches
us about listening to our heart, acting upon the
omens strewn along life's path, and realizing one's
destiny is a person's only real obligation. Full of
adventure, magic, and wisdom, The
Alchemist
shares with us that the possibility of having a
dream come true is what makes life
interesting! Richard Bode's
lifelong love affair with sailing provides a vivid
metaphor on living life to the fullest.
First
You Have to Row a Little
Boat
is a wonderful book that teaches us to maneuver
with patience around the obstacles we encounter in
our own passage through life. What would it be
like if we were each given a life assignment?
The
Giver
provides a somewhat eerie look at the way we might
live someday. The story takes place in a utopian
community where there is no hunger, no disease, no
pollution, no fear—until a twelve-year-old
boy rebels against the choices that have been
denied him. Hope
for the
Flowers
. . . the rush to get to the top will take new
meaning after you read this touching and thought
provoking story about two caterpillars. May we all
dare to believe in the butterfly inside. "I command that
you be happy in the world, as long as you live!"
What if someone demanded that of you? And is it
really possible? A wonderful story (and quick
read), Richard Bach's Illusions:
The Adventures of a Reluctant
Messiah,
takes you on a journey that explores your unique
life and, possibly, answers the question of why we
exist. And if you like Illusions, you'll also want
to read Jonathan
Livingston
Seagull,
a unique fable about a bird's journey of freedom
and flight. Through the eyes of Jonathan, you'll
learn that there's much more to life than searching
for food and flying with the flock. Both these
classics can be found at most used bookstores
across the country. While lying in a
hospital bed some ten years ago, a dear friend of
mine gave me a small book called The
Little Prince
. . . and within a few hours my entire perspective
of life changed—yours will too, as "what is
essential is invisible to the eye." There is fun to
be done! Dr. Seuss opens the door to all the
exciting possibilities that lay ahead and earnestly
warns of the potential pitfalls. You'll find
Oh,
the Places You'll
Go!
to be the perfect send-off for your new
adventure. Benjamin Hoff's
The
Tao of Pooh
is the perfect read for anyone wanting to learn the
basic principles of Taoism, but through the eyes of
the beloved character, Winnie the Pooh—who
"wanders around asking silly questions, making up
songs, and going through all kinds of adventures,
without ever accumulating any amount of
intellectual knowledge or losing his simpleminded
sort of happiness." Maybe Pooh has something,
huh? |
