Imagine, you are stuck at the airport. The flight is delayed by hours and you can’t do anything but wait. In a scenario like this, many would lose their cool, argue with the airline staff, or get anxious. But someone with a positive mindset will try to make the best out of the situation. They may interact with their fellow passengers, build connections, and interact with the authorities without creating a ruckus. This is what separates positive thinkers from the rest. They choose to look at the brighter side of things even when it’s all gloomy.
This is the power of positive thinking. Cultivating this mindset can transform your life. You may ask how? Well, thinking positively can help change the way you see things, deal with setbacks, and live with optimism. In short, you develop a more positive outlook towards life. One of the best and easiest ways to develop this mentality is through books. You will find that people who are eager to improve their lives and achieve their goals, often read uplifting stories. It gives them the perspective to grow into stronger individuals and become happier in different aspects of their lives.
If you too are also looking to be more positive in your life in healthy, achievable ways, here are some of the best books to cultivate a positive outlook towards life.
Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good, by Tina Turner
This memoir of singer and actor, Tina Turner, Happiness Becomes You sheds light on her spiritual journey and inspiring life story. In her book, she shows how anyone can overcome the challenges that life throws on their path. Turner writes, “The valuable help comes from within, and peace comes when individuals work on becoming their better selves.” Readers will find important life lessons that can make them hopeful and transform their lives.
Live This Day: A guided journal to inspire positivity and intention, by Miriam Hathaway
In this guided journal, author Miriam Hathaway explains how one can live with beautiful intentions and make each day meaningful. The book features hundreds of suggestions that can help readers practice optimism and embrace positivity. It will help them develop a sense of direction without having to worry about their daily activities. They will learn the importance of being authentic and showing compassion.
Making Work Work: The Positivity Solution for Any Work Environment, by Shola Richards
In this book, author Shola Richards talks about the importance of showing kindness and respect in the workplace. How by simply being respectful to others, you can create a professional, healthy working environment. Richards highlights three pillars of respect that must be practised to make the workplace positive. They are—respectful communication, respect for the individual, and respect for the team. He explains the importance of developing a positive attitude and how it can help you move forward in life. Readers will learn about the significance of valuing the work of their co-workers. He writes, “Everyone is important, everyone can have a meaningful impact, and everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.”
Name, Place, Animal, Thing: An Inspiring Fable for Grown-Ups about Hope, Positivity, and Living your Best Life, by Lux Narayan
Written by entrepreneur, stand-up comedian, and TED Speaker Lux Narayan, Name, Place, Animal, Thing tells the story of Join Kai and his journey to discover meaning in life. His quest to search for his purpose begins in the early years of his life when he used to play a game called, Name, Place, Animal, Thing with his friends. And it ends at learning the values of humility and empathy. It’s an eye-opening rollercoaster ride that can change the way you look at life, for good.
Uplifting Stories: True Tales to Inspire You to Take Action, by Ione Butler
Uplifting Content is a popular social media channel, started by Ione Butler to give people something to smile for. Here, she has curated a collection of inspiring stories from people around the world that can restore your faith in humanity. Now, she has collected all the stories and tied them in her book, Uplifting Stories. The narratives in the book explore the values of human connection, empathy, and pursuit of passion. After struggling with depression for many years, Butler created something that can inspire people to focus on the good in the world and draw strength from others. Her Uplifting Stories is what the world stricken with the pandemic needs right now.
The Power of Chowa: Finding Your Inner Strength Through the Japanese Concept of Balance and Harmony, by Akemi Tanaka
Ever heard of Chowa? It’s an ancient Japanese concept that can help you find balance in your life. Coming from the lineage of a Samurai family, Akemi Tanaka grew up witnessing people reaping the rewarding benefits of Chowa. Now, she has captured its power for the whole world, in her book, The Power of Chowa, a guide on the perspectives of how to live and cultivate a positive attitude in life. By reading this book, you can discover how to separate things that matter from those that don’t. It will shift your focus to more important things in life, something which we tend to forget owing to our busy lives. Whether it’s your relationship you want to strengthen or find work-life balance, this book has everything you need for a life filled with joy and happiness.
The Wisdom of No Escape: How to Love Yourself and Your World, by Pema Chödrön
Only a few books can show your life in its real colours—how it is rough from the edges but soft from the inside. The Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chödrön is a guide to embrace life in all its forms and shapes that can help you make the best of your time, good and bad alike. A bestseller for four years, this book introduces people to different phases of life. Some are good and some are bad, which means at some point there’s happiness, and others, suffering. But these ups and downs shouldn’t dictate how we feel from the inside. This book teaches us to accept all the happiness and pain we get and continue to live to the fullest.
Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed, by Glennon Doyle
From the New York Times bestselling author, Glennon Doyle comes a new, strong and hilarious instalment, Carry On, Warrior. In this book, Doyle has shared her life story that is not only touching but a laughter riot as well. Her story is everyone’s story of struggle and can teach you to keep your head high in the events of the crisis. Her writing will inspire you to believe in yourself, be courageous in the face of adversity, stop chasing perfection, and build stronger bonds with your loved ones.