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1. When I say No I Feel Guilty by Manuel J. Smith. A primer on assertiveness, how to stop being victimized by others who are just looking out for themselves at your expense.
2. The John C.H Wu translation of the Tao Teh Ching by Lao Tzu. There are numerous translations of the Tao Teh Ching but this one really gets to the essence. A realistic and practical view of existence and the mysteries of life, relationships, behaviour and perceptions.
It takes you through exercises to find what you love to do, then helps you figure what career would suit you and how to get there. Very practical, I've given several copies away.
The Four Agreements and Don't Sweat the Small Stuff. One reason I loved both, aside from content, is I have a limited attention span and time for reading these days, and both these books have large print and short chapters, with pages that recap the highlights. In the case of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, there are no "chapters" at all, each page stands alone.
Because of that, they are easy to flip through when I need a boost. Bigger books with pages crammed with print, I dog-ear and highlight, but never actually go back through and read like I do with the 2 I mentioned.
I also remember a lot more of the principles of those two books, again due to the shortness and lack of unnecessary verbiage in the principles. There are many times I will be in traffic and getting stressed, and I find it easy to recall helpful gems from both, and to put them into practice.
One of the most helpful material I have ever bought though, is an MP3 by Belleruth Naprostek of positive self-affirmations. I have listened to it a million times, on walks, sitting on a beach, even falling asleep to it. When I used to compete in weight-lifting contests, I listened to it "backstage" before the meet started because I was a nervous wreck. She has the most lovely, soothing voice, and I always feel calm and more hopeful after I listen to it.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie when in my 20's (ways back). Helped me change from introvert to not-quite-extrovert but better.
I Ching helps me clarify my thoughts. Not as an oracle or future predictor but you interpret as you want or need to. Probably the way people visit psychics, who tell them want they already want to believe (I've never been but maybe someday).
Co-Dependent No More and all the rest of the same types of books changed my life in a way I never thought could happen. It explained stuff I had struggled with in my marriage for a long time. Then suddenly "I got it." I guess the author was Melody Beattie but the other books were also excellent.
Another one, Narcissism ,Denial of the True Self, by Alexander Lowen, gave me the information I needed about my (ex)husband.
While this may not technically be a self help book, it has been invaluable to me: The Drama of the Gifted Child, by Alice Miller. It primarily addresses the experience of being parented by narcissists. "Gifted" does not mean having a special talent or being a high academic achiever. It means surviving.
KathrynAragon, I didn't like the film either. That was an interesting comment you made.
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