Today’s article is a bit out of the norm for us. But from time to time, it really is a good thing to get out of your comfort zone.
In fact, personally, it is one of the most enjoyable posts I have had the opportunity to write. I am sure it will come as a surprise to many that it is not a gardening article! Nor a DIY, landscaping or recipe post.
Instead, it is about a few things that both Mary and I are extremely passionate about. Learning, living, and finding your passion through the simple act of reading.
Both Mary and I have always loved to read. You are simply never to young or old to ever stop learning – and reading can take you places you have never been, and teach you more than you ever thought possible.
Our goal has always been and will always be to be able to do what we love. And the 4 inspiring books below certainly played a huge role in turning that dream into reality.
And with that – here is a list of our four favorite books, along with why and how they inspired us. We’ve included a link to each book for those that want to learn more about each book.
4 Inspiring Book That Changed Our Life
#1 – The 4 Hour Work Week – Tim Ferriss
Without a doubt, this is truly the top choice for favorite book of all time – for both of us!
I guess it was meant to be. We actually both checked it out at the same time without knowing the other had done so.
I picked up the audio version, and Mary checked out the book. It was a few days later, and we both started talking about this really cool book we were reading. As soon as we realized it was the same one, we burst into laughter.
We both devoured this book the first time through, excitedly telling each other that this was EXACTLY what we wanted to create for our own life.
Here it is in a nutshell: If you want to spend your life living to work, and working a 9 to 5 job, then this is not the book for you.
But if you want to work to live, and to power the life you want, then read it – today! Life doesn’t have to be lived in a cookie-cutter style pattern, and this book is all about living outside of the box to create the life you want.
It’s not about getting rich quick, or some crazy life-system to do this or that. It is simply about finding a way to power the life you want, and nothing more.
I still re-listen to this at least once a year on a long drive somewhere, and still can’t believe how much it still motivates me to simply live! Amazon Link : The Four Hour Workweek – Timothy Ferriss
#2 – Who Moved My Cheese
One of the most simple, basic, easy-to-read pieces of literature you will ever find. In fact, you can read it easily in a few hours. And yet, it is one of the most powerful and inspiring books for teenagers and adults alike.
There is not one single person in the world who at some point doesn’t face big change. A teen going into a new school, an adult changing jobs, or anything and everything in between. And that is exactly what this book is about – how to deal with that change!
At its core, the book is a simple parable about 4 mice, a maze, and finding a piece of cheese. But beyond that basic premise, there are so many life lessons taught and learned.
In fact, I can pretty much guarantee that every single person that reads it finds someway to connect it to their own life and their own challenges.
Every one of our kids have read the book, and every single one of them loved it. It will always be one of my favorites. Amazon Link : Who Moved My Cheese- Spencer Johnson
#3 – The Wealthy Barber
Much like Who Moved My Cheese, this book uses the art of storytelling to talk about financial responsibility and living within your means.
Told through the story of a fictional barber named Roy, it has so many common sense, down-to earth tips on living a stress-free life when it comes to finances.
This is certainly not the book for those looking for a get-rich quick scheme. It is not about creating some huge, life changing business plan, or making more and more money.
It is about creating a simple plan to freedom, no matter what you current financial state is.
I always tell Mary that they should give this book to every single graduating High School senior to help them learn the lessons when they need it most. And before they have to back-track!
Another simple and great read that really drives home simple living at it’s best – no matter what you career or job is. Amazon Link : The Wealthy Barber
#4 – Growing Simple
No, this is not a shameless plug for our own book published last year. But to us, it will always be one of the things that really shaped and changed our future. Taking the time to look back at our life when we wrote our first book helped us more than we ever imagined.
In fact, I think every single person or couple should take time out to write about their life. Whether to publish or not.
As we wrote each chapter, everything that we were about came to life. In fact, it wasn’t until it was all written, that we both realized the biggest chapter in the book was about things we had failed at.
We laughed, and realized that overcoming those failures is what we are all about.
Sometimes, all of us get so caught up in what we still have to do or want to do, that we forget how far we have come, and how much we have enjoyed our lives. Writing our little book allowed us the opportunity to really cherish what we have, and what we have been able to do together.
It really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, it matters that you are working toward your dreams, and enjoying the ride. And writing our book certainly let us realize that we are so very fortunate to have loved every minute of building our life at the farm – no matter what.
I hope you enjoyed our little “Change of Pace” article for today. Now – it’s time to get back to the garden! 🙂 Amazon Link : Growing Simple
Happy Reading and Living! – Jim and Mary.
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