January is the perfect month to set your intentions for growth in the new year. One of the best ways to broaden your horizons and start your path to a bolder life is by picking up a few good books. Whether you are looking to focus on your own spirituality, work on your mental health, or just gain a more positive outlook on life, try to add time for reading in your 2023 routine. Here are a few favorites from the Growing Bolder team:
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Greenlights is a memoir based on over 35 years of journal entries in which McConaughey extracts wisdom from the many ups and downs in his life. Greenlights are the moments when the Universe encourages us to move forward. Yellow and red lights are the obstacles we all face that encourage us to pause, slow down, or stop. Life, says McConaughey, is about knowing when to persist, pivot or concede. Greenlights is raw and it’s real. It will inspire you, make you laugh, and occasionally say, WTF?! If you can, get the audio book because McConaughey reads it himself delivering a piece of performance art that burnishes his reputation as the great outlaw philosopher.
- Marc, CEO
Power of the Witch: The Earth, the Moon and the Magical Path to Enlightenment
by Laurie Cabot with Tom Cowan
This edition of the Growing Bolder Digital Digest is filled with articles relating to spirituality, highlighted by our interfaith roundtable of leaders from the communities of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. But spirituality extends far beyond the boundaries of what many call “conventional” religion.
For those looking to enhance their view of the world and understanding of others, try reading Power of the Witch. It’s written by a practicing witch, Laurie Cabot, in an effort to educate others about the widely misunderstood religion of Wicca. She reviews the longstanding history of magic- makers and spiritual leaders while explaining the ways that the Earth and all living things share the same life force of Divine Intelligence.
- Katie, Creative
The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change by Jon Gordon and Damon West
This short read holds wisdom that vastly outweighs the number of its pages. The Coffee Bean tells a tale of a man who learns to not only cope with the stresses of daily challenges, but also how to impact the world around him with an infectious positive outlook on life. In short, the difficulties of life can seem like a pot of boiling water. Most people either react like a carrot, which weakens inside the pot of water, or react like an egg, which hardens. Instead, Gordon and West encourage us to react like a coffee bean, which has the power to transform the entire pot and create something magical.
- Tim, Production
One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way
by Robert Maurer, Ph. D
This small, 228-page book reminds us that big changes can begin with small actions. The Japanese word kaizen means “change for the better,” and was first utilized by Japanese business, and then Toyota, as a means of increasing productivity. Mauer outlines simple steps to use the principles in our personal lives, to move beyond fear and procrastination, and continually improve. Whatever your intentions or goals are for 2023, this is a great aid to get you started.
- Lynne, Production
Creative Quest by Questlove Questlove, a musician but more so
a relentless learner, shares his own quest to constantly create something new. Through his own stories and stories of people he admires like Ava DuVernay, David Byrne, Björk and more, he inspires us to be our most creative at whatever each of our individual “thing” is.
- Jess, Marketing
Growing Bolder:
Defy the Cult of Youth, Live with Passion and Purpose by Marc Middleton
“I have a book to recommend that will change your life!” It’s called Growing Bolder: Defy the Cult of Youth, Live with Passion and Purpose by Marc Middleton. I know, but I’m totally serious! This book will put the wind in your sails that you need to chart a course to great adventures ahead. You’ll be hanging on every word because Marc explains how the future you want is within your reach by making just a few interesting adjustments to your attitude, outlook and desires. Let Growing Bolder light the path to the life you hope to lead. Here’s to making 2023 our best
year yet!”
- Bill, Production
This article is featured in the January 2023 issue of The Growing Bolder Digital Digest.
