I like to read a lot, and there are a few books that I've found both motivation and inspiration in:
- Illusions by Richard Bach: A fun book that when I've read it makes me remember that I can do pretty much anything I want if I believe I can.
- Overcoming Overeating by Geneen Roth: She is honestly the first author who ever put the idea in my head to eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm full, eat what I want when I want, and at least slow down long enough to try to figure out why I'm eating all the other times.
- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: Not particularly motivational, but it's the only book I ever had to put down because I was crying from laughing so hard. And laughter is a huge inspiration and motivator for me.
- Sibley's Guide to Birds by David Allen SIbley: Not "just a bird guide" -- It's a phenomenal work of art that makes me want to learn and see in real life every wonder of nature.
- The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand: I need to be reminded often that there absolutely no shame in working hard and enjoying the fruits of what I worked for.
- Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns: This book changed my life. If you have a problem with depression, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's deals with looking at the things in your life realistically, not as you think they are, but as they actually are.
Between the Dr. David Burns and Ayn Rand books, which I happened to read at the same time, I pretty much developed my personal philosophy:
"The people I love don't think I'm a bad person because I'm fat, and I really don't give a rat's ass what someone who I don't love thinks."
What books have helped you along the way?
