The Road Back to You

Recently I had a conversation with my friend Joel about the Enneagram. There are nine numbers that help with self-awareness and personality types.

When I took the free test online, I found out I was a 4 with a 5 wing. That means I am mainly a 4 influenced by the 5.

Four is the Romantic or Individualist. We appreciate beauty, nature, and order. We also have very strong feelings and have a strong desire to be unique. Fives are Investigators who observe a lot.

This book, The Road Back to You, was eye-opening. I also listened to the podcasts on my spring break. I found out a lot about people I love. A lot of my best friends are Twos, Helpers. My dad (and likely my boss) are Eights, Challengers.

If you are into MBTI, StrengthsFinders, or becoming more self-aware, check out this book!

Jojo Moyes!

A while ago there was a new movie that came out that looked interesting: a woman caretaker who fell in love with the man she was caring for. I decided to check out the book by Jojo Moyes, Me Before You. I had no idea what the book was about or that it would address the topic of euthanasia. This book caused so much anxiety - just because I could not wait to see what happened next. The book was better than the movie (surprise, surprise).

I had actually read Paris for One before Me Before You. Paris for One was a great book of short stories. I am currently reading After You. All of these books make me appreciate Moyes' writing style. It's nice to read an author who is such a great storyteller.

Spring Reads

This year has been tough for me.
I have not been able to read as much as I want to.

But the few books I HAVE read this spring were powerful.

Let Me Be a Woman - This book was written by Elisabeth Elliot to her engaged daughter. It is a book of life wisdom to read just before getting married. Someday I hope to read it again and gain a fresh perspective. Even as a single woman, marriage is one of my favorite topics. I have had several conversations about it lately and how hard it is. Elliot does not beat around the bush with her daughter - she lets her know it is hard work.

"[I]t takes a bold man to venture to take a wife" (27).

"[W]ho is it you marry? You marry a sinner. There's nobody else to marry" (68).

 

The Cost of Discipleship - I have been trying to read this book for years, but I finally got the audiobook, which helped me finish it! Bonhoeffer has great insight into grace and what we often accept in life - cheap grace. Deep thoughts in this book. One to be revisited.

Daring Greatly - This is my first Brene Brown book. I started listening to the audiobook and knew I had to buy the book as well ASAP! This book was eye-opening and greatly needed.

"[T]he people who love me... were never critics who were pointing at me when I stumbled.... They were with me in the arena. Fighting for me and with me" (56).

"We are hard on others because we are hard on ourselves" (98).

[W]e have to be wiling to give ourselves a break and appreciate the beauty of our cracks or imperfections To be kinder and gentler with ourselves and each other. To talk to ourselves the same way we'd talk to someone we care about" (131).

If you decide to walk into the arena and dare greatly, you're going to get kicked around" (167).

On pages 188-194, it talks about shame in schools. This topic is very personal to me and it was refreshing to see it addressed. Needless to say, this will not be my last Brene Brown book or the last time I'll read this one.