Harriet Cabelly, LCSW
Therapist . Speaker . Author
I’m hitting the books now. Haven’t done that yet on this blog. But I just finished a ‘win’ of a book – Tolstoy and The Purple Chair – and I felt a need to share, especially since it’s so in line with the theme of this website/blog. And no, I don’t love it because of the rich purple velvety chair on the cover. But I will admit, I was drawn to the title because of ‘purple’.
I love memoirs; specifically ones that portray people’s struggles and ultimate successes in rising above and moving beyond their difficulties. This book is certainly one of them. The way in which the author, Nina Sankovitch, depicts this theme is quite unique and fascinating – through books (another passion of mine). She turns to books and decides to read a book-a-day for a year to guide and help her deal with her grief over the death of her sister. It is a beautiful journey through many books and authors’ wonderful quotes. And Ms. Sankovitch weaves and connects all of it to her life, and specifically to her struggle in coping with her deep and painful loss.
This reinforces what I feel strongly about – that words, ideas and experiences can be so powerful in shaping us. We can learn and grow so much from others and truly integrate the words and ideas that speak to us. I feel I’ve gained strength and positive energy by hearing, reading and learning about how others have been able to persevere through their challenges.
Is there a book or story that has impacted your life, that’s helped you become stronger or more effective in your own coping abilities?
I’d like to highlight the books of my interviewees, as many of them have written memoirs of transcending their adversities.
Dr. Daniel Gottlieb – “Letters To Sam” “Learning from the Heart” “The Wisdom of Sam”
Leigh Brill – “A Dog Named Slugger”
Ann Hood – “Comfort – A Journey Through Grief”
Jeni Stepanek – “Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs”
Natalie Taylor – “Signs of Life”
Please share some of your recommendations in the Comment section. Thank you for reading. And please consider subscribing to the blog
Hi Harriet,
A confession…..I’m not an avid or ‘big’ book reader. However, two recent books that I have devoured, both by the same Author Mike Dooley.
“Manifesting Change…It couldn’t be easier”
“Infinite Possibilities…the Art of Living your Dreams’
Both are game changers.
be good to yourself
David
Hi David,
I will check out your 2 book suggestions. Thanks.
And thanks as always for stopping by.
I finishing up The Help, but this book is next on my list. There have been many books that have inspired me. The most recent that comes to mind is Eat Pray Love. I love her writing style, it’s visual rawness. Her vulnerable yet powerful sense of exploration. And, I keep hoping someone will pay me to travel the globe, write, and work on myself 🙂
Hi Marci,
I too absolutely loved Eat Pray Love.
Yes, books are a great source of inspiration.
May your dream come to fruition one day. In the meantime you can still write and work on yourself and maybe even travel a bit.
Yes, there most certainly is one: Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts. It’s been on my bedside table or in the car with me for spare moments for the past 6 months and it has completely changed how I see gratitude and it’s power to get us through and past the tragedies in life. The author lost her younger sister in horrible accident she witnessed as a child, and her journey to wholeness is so compelling, so completely in-your-face. It’s fabulous. Great to see you over on my blog today, Harriet. Looking forward to getting to know you better – I can tell you’re a kindred spirit in coaching based on wandering around your site just now. Wonderful to connect!
Hi Laurie,
Thanks for coming by and commenting, and checking out my site. Yes, I think we are ‘coaching kindreds’.
I will certainly check out your book suggestion. The theme is right up my alley.
See you again soon, at your site and hopefully at mine.
Here are quotations from the book i was referring earlier on:
1. In life, we would always be forced with tragedy,loss, hatred, setbacks and times immense brutality and pain. It is the response to these encounters that would shape who we were to become as people.
2. Suffering, pain and change are part of life, just knowing and accepting them, makes it easier to deal with them when they arise. The enabling weapon to deal with them is choice.
From which book are they and who is the author?
Hi TJ,
I’m not sure what book you’re referring to. Your comments are so true. It is the response that shapes us and it is our choice in how we do it.