My top 4 favorite books

I've read and loved too many books to put into one post! So today I'll just share 5 of my all-time top favorite personal-development books that I would gift to anyone and everyone. Comment below with books you'd add to the list, and stay tuned for more book reviews!

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

2. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

3. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

4. Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Now let's dive into each one. I'll first highlight WHO I would recommend each book to, and then I'll share a little bit of my personal thoughts, quandaries and intrigues that came with reading the book.

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

It's not just me! The Alchemist is a best seller for a reason. It's one of those bibilical-like books that has deep, profound and soul-wrenching truths told through a beautiful and simple story of Santiago's life (the main character). It's an allegory for personal discovery, and it's the best I've read! This book wont tell you what to do. It won't give you science or data or facts or figures. It won't outline a daily routine or give you a checklist for growing yourself. Rather, this book will take you on a journey to discover truths for yourself in the exact season you need to uncover them! Anytime you pick up this book there will be something for you! You can read it over and over and over again and get something new out of it each time (as I have done!). Here at Atlantis Breathwork & Coaching I am all about taking you on a journey into the depths of your metaphorical oceans to discover the gems, jewels and treasures hidden inside (the lost city of Atlantis). And that's exactly what The Alchemist does too! It takes you on a journey to uncover the depths of your soul. GAHHH it's so good!!

2. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The four agreements has a similar feeling to The Alchemist, but it's not an allegory. It has a very spiritual feeling to it as it describes 4 toltec principles that - if lived - will help you live life fulfilled, free and happy. It's simple, the four agreements are as follows:

• "Be impeccable with your word"

• "Do not take anything personally"

• "Do not make assumptions"

• "Always do your best"

The book is simply broken down into these four principles and advocates for why each is imperative for living your best life. It's highly worth a read and I guarantee if you pick it up you'll find yourself returning to it over and over again throughout your life. I first read it in 2019 and "Don't take anything personally" has been a mantra I've probably repeated to myself daily for 4 years now. A mantra and understanding that has COMPLETELY changed my life all of it's own accord.

3. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl was a Psychiatrist and Neurologist who - at 37 years old - entered into a Nazi prison camp. In this book, he tells the story of his time in the Holocaust which is heart-wrenching and beautifully inspiring as he describes what it is to find meaning in life. This book was profoundly powerful for me as it illustrated that it truly is not the circumstance that defines a 'man' but the thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and feelings of the 'man' that defined 'his' life. One of my favorite quotes from this book is as follows: "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” ...and I'm legit crying as I re-write that quote. Further he states: "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” It's one of those books that invokes in me the most profound love for humanity and all that it is and can be. The DUALITY of existence. In the most terrible of circumstances, how one can find peace and joy.

As someone who has internally struggled day after day over the question "What's the meaning of life?" - this is the book that taught me the truth. That I create the meaning for my life. And what incredible power I have to make it a good one.

4. Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

I perhaps don't know what to write about this book. I have an attitude of reverence towards this book and towards Dr. Estes. She is a gift to humanity. A gift to me. A gift to women.

This book is dense. As a talented Cantadora (story-teller) and Jungian Psychoanalyst, Dr. Estes has a profound way of telling archetypal stories that paint the most compelling pictures of a woman's psyche. If you read this, you'll face aspects of yourself and your life that you genuinely may not want to face yet. You'll find yourself laughing, crying, becoming angry, feeling peace and everything in between. And it will be so good. So good! You'll find yourself coming home to yourself. Finding solace within your own soul and understanding yourself on a deeper level than ever before. The stories she tells will find resonance in your soul.

Honestly, I don't want to say much more about this book. If it calls to you, please, devour it! If it scares you a little, lean in. But if it's not for you, it's not for you! And that's great too. Trust your intuition on this one ... and all books for that matter!

Conclusion

Well, there you have it! Those are four books I would give to every man and woman who walked through my front door. I'd love to hear your thoughts about each in the comments below and if you've read them!

Until next time,

xo, Dakota