BOOKS

Ask and It is Given - Learning to Manifest Your Desires  by Esther and Jerry Hicks. What do you want to happen in your life? This book is the "bible" for manifesting what you desire with the "Teachings of Abraham(TM)."  Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God says, "This is, plain and simply, one of the most powerful books I have ever read. One's entire life can change because of what is found here.  And all given with such love! This book is a Life Treasure."      

Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins
This is a must read book for anyone who wants to know how to use their brain to make changes in their life. Robbins teaches you how to use the tools from NLP (neurolinguistic programming).

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway  by Dr. Susan Jeffers. This book is known as one of the great self-help classics of our time. It tackles the issue of fear, particularly for women, and how fear can hold us back. The book not only focuses on fear, but also on building confidence, positive thinking and overcoming low self-esteem. This book actually opened the door for me to turn my pain and fear into power. 

How to Win Friends & Influence People
by Dale Carnegie. This book is a classic and one of the best. As it says on the back of the book, you will learn: the six ways to make people like you; the twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking; the nine ways to change people without arousing resentment and more.

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher and William Ury. I used to be afraid to speak up (hangover from having autocratic parents who were always right.) I applied the principles taught in this book and believe me, it was like magic. If you want to be a master at communication, this book will help.

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach.
Author says,"If you have imagination as a grain of a sesame seed," he said..."all things are possible to you." Also, Bach said, "When the bible was written there was no word for imagination so they used the word 'faith' in place of it."  The big message of the story is you create with your imagination by seeing it first. Delightful book, even if from 1977. Worth a read for simple insights that are profound.

Lick the Sugar Habit by Nancy Appleton, Ph.D.
If giving up sugar has been a problem, read this book and gain insight into reasons why sugar is the enemy if you intend to have health and to avoid health problems now, and as you age.  See also Dr. Robert Lustig's video: The Bitter Truth on YouTube.com, This is film is 1:29:28 minutes. See it HERE.

The Hero with A Thousand Faces. Joseph Campbell. This is Joseph Campbell's seminal book about the Hero's Journey that George Lucas (Star Wars) loved. He fashioned his character Luke Skywalker following the hero's pattern in the Star Wars movie.  The Hero's Journey is also a pattern we regular mortals pretty much follow in our own lives as we get thrown out of the ordinary world into the extraordinary world when we have major life changes. For example: an accident, a divorce, losing a job, getting married, becoming a parent, etc. The basic pattern follows seventeen steps but is often narrowed down to twelve steps. Many writers now use versions of this pattern for fashioning their own hero in movies and novels.  Stories that follow the Hero's Journey pattern include: The Matrix, and The Wizard of Oz and, of course, Star Wars.  

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
This classic book is worth reading. It is based on the famed book Law of Success and represents the distilled wisdom of men who achieved great wealth: Henry Ford, Rockefeller, Firestone and others. What's interesting to note is how Hill explains the idea of "the divine" in one's success and the concept of The Master Mind group. This book is an absolute "must read" for anyone who is truly interested in becoming their best not just in business, but as a human being.

This is Why You're Fat (and How to Get Thin Forever) by Jackie Warner. This no-nonsense book has great information about food, food additives as well as what foods not to eat and exercise programs. Her exercise DVDs  are worth checking out and using. 

Toxic Sludge is Good for You! - Lies, Damn Lies, and the Public Relations Industry by John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton. Who makes decisions for you?  Whether you know it or not, you are always being manipulated by the media.  Edward L. Bernays, who wrote the book Propaganda (Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's propagandist loved Bernays book Propaganda). Bernays said,

          "If we understand the mechanisms and motives of the group mind, it is now possible to control and regiment the     masses according to our will without their knowing it." 

Later that term came to  known as "the manufacturing of consent." 

What Color is Your Parachute by Richard Nelson Bolles.  Do you need to change jobs? Do you want to change careers? If so, this book is a great help for job seekers and anyone who "hates their dumb job." This book is a perennial classic for serious job seekers, and people who want to change careers. Even if you are not seeking to change jobs, you will gain insight about the talents you have and probably discover skills you didn't know you had that can make a difference for your future career. Even if you aren't interested in changing jobs now, this book is worth browsing.  What Color is Your Parachute was first published in 1972, and has been published every year since 1975. Also check out Bolles website HERE.

Wheat Belly by William Davis, M.D.
Are you trying to lose weight and but have food cravings that just never seem to stop?
This book could be a key for losing that weight. Dr. Davis says that what you don't know about wheat is that it makes you sick, fat, and that it gives you a never-ending appetite even when you've just eaten. Learn how your health is being undermined by wheat and products containing wheat. This book is a real wake you call.  However, find out for yourself. This is a must read book if you are trying to change your eating habits.

After just seeing a 2:27 minute video by Dr. Davis on Amazon.com and I was compelled to stop eating bread. In just four days, my appetite went away and my body was balanced. No craving carbohydrates. Even if you don't read the book, see the video with  Dr. Davis on Amazon.com Click HERE. 

Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom by Dr. Christiane Northrup. This books presents information about health that every woman should know even if you just pick out chapters in the book that are of interest. Dr. Northrup has been on PBS many times and this book is a real eye opener. It is absolutely easy to read, informative and inspiring.

Documentary Movies

2012 ReGeneration (2009)

Following is the description of movie from DVD.

        "Narrated by Ryan Gosling, The award-winning documentary film, #ReGeneration explores the galvanizing forces behind the Occupy Movement and the state of social activism in our society. Focused on how our education, parenting,media, and consumerism can influence us, the film follows three stories of students, parents, and artists all looking for their place in society. Together they capture the thoughts and feelings of today's generation ."

It includes comments are by leading scholars, social activists, and media personalities, including Andrew Bacevich, Noam Chomsky, Talib Kweli, and the late Howard Zinn. 

THRIVE: What on Earth Will It Take?  2012

This is an amazing movie and one every person should see. The following is a Review from Documentarywire:

         "THRIVE is an unconventional documentary that lifts the veil on what’s REALLY going on in our world by following the money upstream — uncovering the global consolidation of power in nearly every aspect of our lives. Weaving together breakthroughs in science, consciousness and activism, THRIVE offers real solutions, empowering us with unprecedented and bold strategies for reclaiming our lives and our future.

We are at a critical turning point in human history. The path we are on is leading toward a global police state. We must change direction, but how? What are the guiding principles that would lead to freedom from war, hunger, and domination? How do we work toward a world where no one is violated or coerced in any way? These are the kind of questions you can explore in this solutions section.

This also is the place to discover what you can do to bring about change. You can check out inspirational success stories, find suggestions for quick, effective everyday actions, study strategies for transformations at the national and global level, and get involved in Critical Mass Actions that will make a difference."

If each of us uses our unique gifts, and we collaborate with others, we can create the world we want to live in. We already have what it takes to thrive. Now is the time.
Link to Movie HERE.

Dead Poets Society, 1989

This 1987 movie stars Robin Williams who plays Professor John Keating the English professor at Welton Academy, a prestigious prep school for boys. The movie was nominated for four Academy Awards (best movie, best script, and won for best original screenplay). The quote, Carpe Diem, to "Seize the Day," made me take note about seizing the days I had so at the end of my days I would not regret what I had failed to do. What Professor Keating says is,

Only through dreams can men be truly free, it was always thus and always will be.                                        -- John Keating

And in the movie John Keating, played by Robin Williams, Thoreau is quoted:

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

Field of Dreams, 1989

If you love baseball you will love this movie. Of course everyone remembers the famous line, "If you build it, he will come."

One of my favorite scenes from the movie is when Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, goes to Boston to find Terence Mann, a 60s activist writer played by James Earl Jones. Ray quotes what Terrence wrote in one of his books:

"There comes a time when all the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place and the universe opens itself up for a few seconds to show you what's possible."

        This may be just a line in a movie, but it is something this author has personally experienced many times.

        Another great scene in the movie is when Ray Kinsella finally meets his dad. His dad asks, "Is this heaven?" And Ray responds, "No its Iowa." It points to the fact that anywhere, where you are happy is heaven. It's a state of mind and not a place.

Yes, life is magical, mystical and co-creative. The universe does open up all the time when you are seeking ideas and answers.  Life does conspire with you to give you what you need when you get serious about your life and what matters.

This is a good thing to remember:

Ground Hog Day, 1993

This seeming comedic movie has great depth. Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) is an egotistical, self centered man who treats his co-workers with contempt, is transformed. Phil, a weather man dreads having to be in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for the fourth time to report on Groundhog Day. Only, this year he gets stuck in Punxsutawney because of a snow storm. However, the same day keeps repeating, but not for him. Every morning he wakes up to Sonny and Cher singing "I've Got You Babe."  It's like he is stuck in some time loop. He goes through a melt down, and then finally starts changing himself and becomes a better man. He does ice sculpturing, learns to play the piano. He knows exactly what is going to happen to everyone so he shows up to help at the right moment.   The theme of the movie is redemption. Phil redeems himself from his old ways to become a better person. Rita, the producer, played by Andie MacDowell finally finds him attractive after he has transformed himself.

Heart and Souls, 1993

This romantic comedy has great depth. Robert Downey Jr. plays Thomas Reilly who gets tied to four ghosts when his mother gives birth to him at the same time a bus crashes and the four people leave their bodies and float into the car where Reilly is born en route  to the hospital. By age seven, the four ghosts realize they need to leave Reilly whose parents think he needs psychiatric help because he keeps talking to his invisible friends. The four ghosts return years later when they learn that Reilly is supposed to help them resolve their unfinished business before they can go to the afterlife. The four ghosts are Milo Peck, played by Tom Sizemore, Harrison played by Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard played by Penny Washington, and Julia, played by Kyra Sedgwick. David Paymer plays Hal the bus driver. 

Independence Day, 1996

This spectacular movie begins with a series of massive spaceships, which many on Earth greet with open arms, looking forward to the first contact with alien life. However, the extraterrestrials have  come to destroy the world's major cities. Will Smith plays jet pilot Captain Steven Hiller and David Levinson, the computer genius, is played by Jeff Goldblum, who figures out how to shut down the spaceships to get through the shields. They do this by giving the computer-run ships a virus. The key part of the movie with its spectacular CG effects, etc., is the speech given by President Thomas J. Whitmore played by Bill Pullman.  Here is that speech. Who knows, it just may be a speech we soon hear from our real president who tells we are not alone. This is the speech President Whitmore given in the movie:

Good morning, Good morning. In less than an hour aircraft from here will join others from around the world and you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind, that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the 4th of July and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression or persecution, but from annihilation. We are fighting for  our right to live, to exist. And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared i none voice we will not go quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight. We're going to live. We're going to survive. Today, we celebrate our Independence Day.

Although that is just a movie, it is true, we as Americans do come together in a crisis. My question is this. What would it be like if we could and would come together to create? Why do we have to wait for a crisis to put out some fire? Why don't we come together to create what matters and what will make a difference so we can write the history we want to live and then live it?

Meet John Doe, 1941

Movies can be a great inspiration and this movie, Meet John Doe was a great inspiration to me. It was just after 9/11 and I was so tired of seeing the never-ending picture of the twin towers collapsing that I had to shut off my TV and not listen to the radio. However, I wanted to watch something on TV, so I called my friend who worked at the library and asked her to bring me a movie, any movie. I didn't care. She brought me the movie Meet John Doe and it had a profound influence on me. If you are part of the 99% that the Occupy movement talks about, you will find this movie even more relevant today. Listen to the speech HERE. 

Videos for Inspiration

LEDWELL, Natalie - The Inspiration Show with Natalie Ledwell. Ledwell interviews Law of Attraction experts (over fifty-one of them so far 12/4/12) on how they changed their lives to have health and success. Very inspiring and worth a visit. You will recognize the names of the guests being interviewed such as Marcie Shimoff who wrote Love for Reason and Happy for No Reason and was featured in the hit movie, The Secret. Author, Michael Dooley internationally known for his "Notes from the Universe" e-mails and book, Infinite Possibilities, was also was in the movie The Secret. Learn and get inspired from these success stories. Stream the various interviews it online HERE.

LIPTON, Bruce H., PhD., is a stem cell biologist, author, and internationally recognized as a leader in bridging science and spirit. His key discovery is that our genes do not control us. Humans can control their genes by what they think. Books: The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles, and Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future and a Way to Get There From Here co-authored with Steve Bhaerman. Lipton's latest book is: The Honeymoon Effect: The Science of Creating Heaven on Earth released May 2013. His website is: BruceLipton.com. Watch an interview of him on You Tube talking about the  "The Power of Consciousness." HERE.