Feed your mind with music.

Ahhh…sweet, beautiful and lovely music.

It is the single greatest artform in my view.

I got hooked on music when I was a curious and very introverted, shy, second grader. I remember digging through my older brothers vinyl records that consisted of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Philip Glass, The Doors, The Police, and many other greats. I would literally rock on top of my head to the music for hours to the point of getting knots in my hair (which my Mom would later cut out).

Music took me away. It made life seem so colorful. It made me FEEL. I remember hearing melody and hooks that made me feel as though I just feel in love. That feeling when your heart just melts. Music turned my heart to mush in one moment, and shot me to the moon in the next.

I simply could not get enough music and ever since…I’ve been a music “junkie”. Music is my oxygen. My drug. It motivates me, it makes me feel things profoundly, and it influences everything I do, think, say or feel.

Looking back, I think listening to music shaped my brain and made me more aware of the world. It made me feel the power of loss, the exhilarating colors of love, and the essence of rainy day sadness much more profoundly.

Music made me feel the beauty in art, in film, and in everyday life (even just driving in the car). It made me realize that music that moves…is music that connects to something deep inside us.

Here are 6 songs that have moved
my soul in one way or another…

1. “Around My Smile” by Hope Sandoval and The Warm Inventions

Listen to the rhythm and spacial beauty that is going on in this song. Organic and deeply flowing. It feels like I’m floating in outer space with no worries or fears. Hope Sandoval’s voice is silky smooth, and weaving in and out of the resonance of space. The slow and bouncy bass dances all around keeping it all loosely together in utter beauty.

2. “Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan

The greatest songwriter of all time, hands down. Bob Dylan weaves in poetic verse after poetic verse over a few basic guitar chords, but the power and heart is all there. Dylan was ahead of his time, and no one had seen or heard anything like him when he hit in the 60’s. He changed music forever and still does.

3. “True Love Will Find You In The End” by Daniel Johnston

This song is just over 1 minute long, but it lingers for so much longer. Sadness. Hope. Love. Never giving up.  It’s all in here. You can hear the yearning and passion in Daniel’s voice. The music is simple, but the soul and heart shine through. Simply moved me to tears when I first heard it during a tough time in my life. Daniel’s story is a sad one, but it is very enriching. Check out the documentary if you get a chance about Daniel Johnston called, “The Devil and Daniel Johnston”.

4. “Maybe Not” by Cat Power (aka Chan Marshall) Live On Letterman

Chan Marshall is probably my favorite female singer of all time. Her voice is simply moving. Sultry. Timeless. I’ve always been a Cat Power fan, but when I saw her play one of my favorite songs on David Letterman live, I fell into an emotional trance. You can hear every single note, feel every single emotion, as the audience goes dead still. Haunting. Hair lifting. Such beauty in such sadness. This song live just shot right through me.

5. “The Scientist” by Coldplay

6. “Njosnavelin” (The Nothing Song) by Sigur Ros

This is the most beautiful song I have ever heard in my life. The intro sounds like the soul, floating above the body, and entering the bliss of the unknown that we call never ending love. Sigur Ros, a band from Iceland,  sings in Hopelandic, a made up language. They simply sing in the language of emotions and sound. The album simply “titled” ( ) by Sigur Ros is one of the greatest and most beautiful albums I’ve ever listened to.

I hope you enjoyed these songs. Many of them you probably have not heard.

What did you think? What did you feel?

Never Underestimate The Power of a Good Book

If there is one thing that is constant about life, it was once said, it is change. And no, this is not in reference to pocket change either, I’m talking about the change that is life itself.

Right now, you are changing. You just changed. Old cells died, new cells developed, you just aged a bit, and a billion other things in the world just shifted…including you.

The thing with change is this…there are the things we CAN change and the things we CAN’T change.

But what about changing your life for the better? What about having a few little doors in your mind opened?

Below I’ve listed out 9 powerful books I think every human should read once in their lifetime. They have had a huge impact on my life and forever changed my life in one way or another. Sure, I know many may not be your cup of tea, but I bet at least one of them will strike a bit of interest in you.  I’m so glad I discovered these great books in my life. They all created that “ah ha” moment within me or opened new doors to my life, changed the way I live life, and the way I also view it.

9 Books That Can Change Your Life (in no particular order)

1. Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

One of my favorite books of all time. The Tao Te Ching was written roughly 2500 years ago in China and is considered the most influential Chinese book of all time. It serves as the basis for the philosophical school of Taoism. Taoism teaches that there is one undivided truth at the root of all things. It breaks down life to the most simple foundations and truths in 81 short chapters.

The first time I read the Tao Te Ching I was simply blown away by it’s wisdom and simplicity. Everything written within rang true to me and made complete sense. I simply refer to it as the handbook to life. It covers it all.

Simple, powerful and chock full of wisdom. The Tao Te Ching should be read by everyone and fully absorbed. I truly believe the world could be a much better place if everyone simply implemented just a fraction of it’s wisdom. You can read it online right here.

2. It Works: The Famous Little Red Book That Makes Your Dreams Come True!

Little things come in small packages, and this tiny little book (more like a pamphlet) is no exception. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket, only costs $2-$3 bucks, but it can simply transform your life. It Works shows you how you can manifest anything you want in your life by focusing on it. The steps are dead simple, but don’t be deceived. I’ve actually used the simple method in this tiny red book on all kinds of things…and many of them actually manifested and came true. No joke.

If you have goals in life and there are things you would like to achieve, It Works will show you a simple formula to get what you want. Don’t ask me how it works, I just know it does. It’s a mix of the power of thinking, the law of attraction, and more…all put very simply in one tiny book you can read in a matter of minutes.

Give it a shot and see how it can affect your life.

3. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

This book came out of nowhere for me. The Power of Now is simply just about that…the now. Many of us run around this life going from this thought to that thought, this chore to that chore, paying this bill or that bill, and we are never fully present. This book taps into why we need to stay in the now, and what it can do to transform our lives. Tolle writes beautifully and in a precise manner that makes this book easily digestible, yet at the same time, deeply challenges your mind and your view of living.

The Power of Now is probably my favorite book of the last few years, without a doubt. What he is saying is nothing that has not been said before about being mindful and present. This concept has been around for centuries.  But it is the way Tolle directs the message that makes this book special.

Who would have thought that being in the NOW would be the greatest present (no pun intended) to leading a happy life?

4. Working On Yourself Doesn’t Work by Ariel and Shya Kane

I think this is probably the greatest title to any self-improvement book out there. Working on Yourself Doesn’t Work couldn’t be a more fitting title either…that is exactly what the book is about, letting go. Ariel and Shya Kane are a happily married couple who have walked down many roads to try to find happiness, including going to lengthy meditation retreats and more, looking and searching for contentment. After many years, they finally realized that we don’t have to do anything to be happy or content.  We simply just have to BE.

Yes, once again, this is very “zen” but the way in which they explain why it is important to surrender and accept many thing in our lives is what makes this simple little book so profound. It is a quick and easy read, and so dead simple a young person could understand the concepts. I highly recommend any and all books by the Kane’s.

5. Zen and the Art of Happiness by Chris Prentiss

I’ve read many many books on happiness but Zen and the Art of Happiness sums them all up the very best. Once again, this is a small book with amazing insight into what makes us happy, and what we are doing wrong. I remember stumbling across an ad for this book in Psychology Today and thought it sounded interesting. Once I read it, I read it again because it simply spoke to me. I’ve since recommended it to many people.

This book is simply life changing if you apply it. It strips away the nonsense we put ourselves through in our daily lives and struggles and shines a light on what is leading us astray from real, genuine happiness.

6. The Places That Scare You by Pema Chodron.

Life is hard. Life can be very difficult and we all face really tough times that can scare us to pieces. Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, explores these areas and shows you how you can get through these difficult and challenging times. She uses mindfulness, slogans, aspirations and more to show that we can make it through when times are tough. Simply written and easy to follow, Pema is one of my favorite authors on the subject of contentment and happiness. I feel this is one of her best books.

I discovered this book during a really rough period in my life and it helped me immensely. Reading it gave me a sense of peace that everything is going to be ok, and I will make it.

Everyone hits hard times in life, and I know you are no exception. I truly feel the wisdom in this book can ease those difficult and scary times for you. I highly, highly recommend it.

7. Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie

What an amazing book this is. Katie literally went “crazy” at one point in her life and was put in a house with other people with problems. She fell into deep depression, misery, and things looked very bleak for her. Then one day, she woke up on the floor of this “half-way” house (in the attic) and noticed a cockroach cross the floor…and then a light went on in her mind. Call it transformation, call it whatever you want…at that point Katie had a life breakthrough. She discovered the root of her unhappiness and her life changed forever.

What Katie discovered is that our thinking is the cause of our suffering. She developed “The Work” to help cut through our thinking and get to the real truth, the present, so that we can relieve the mental weight and suffering we carry on our shoulders. “The Work” simply consists of 4 questions you can apply to your thoughts or beliefs, and it will strip away the unnecessary, and create inner freedom. To watch Katie use “The Work” on live people, simply visit YouTube.com and put in her name. It’s amazing how, in a matter of minutes, she can transform people’s thinking with her simple process.

8. Hope and Help For Your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes

Everyone of us usually faces anxiety at some point in our lives. In fact, anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders in the USA. This can include generalized anxiety or panic attacks. Personally, I know what both feel like and I can tell you…it’s miserable. It can seriously take over your life in a hurry. At one point, I was getting therapy, trying medications, and reading book after book on anxiety. There were many good ones, but this one, Hope and Help For Your Nerves simply rose above the rest. Written by Dr. Claire Weekes, Hope and Help For Your Nerves shows why we are anxious, what is going on internally, and most of all…simple and effective ways to overcome anxiety and panic. It can be a lifesaver for anyone with anxiety. Everything you need is covered in this little book and I highly recommend it.

9. The Bible

The Bible, the greatest selling book in the world, the Word of God, what hasn’t been said about this book. Now, I know this is touching on one’s own religion and beliefs, but The Bible truly is an amazing, life changing book. Simple call it the handbook to one’s soul, a guidebook for proper living, and the breath of God.

Powerful, mind blowing, and always relevant.

I consider myself a Christian, so of course The Bible speaks true to me. But then again, I’m an avid fan of Buddhism as well. So I consider myself a…Christian Buddhist.

I know this book selection is a bit controversial, but I had to add it as it is the greatest “book” of all time.

I sincerely hope you have enjoyed this list. I do think many of these books can serve you well and be life-changing. I know they have changed mine for the better, without a doubt, and many of them I return to again and again. They are like close friends that will always be with me over the course of my journey through this thing called life.

So now my question goes to you (the reader)…

What books have changed YOUR life?

I would love to hear what you have to say!

Photo by Maddox

As I venture into the vast sea of personal development blogs, I’m learning more and more each day as to which blogs in this niche tend to stand out among the thousands of others. The term or phrase “personal development” leaves the door wide open to other categories such as personal transformation, organization, goal achievement, health and fitness, and more. Many blogs I have read hit the mark, and some don’t.

With my new blog here, TheHappySelf.com, my goal or direction falls in these same categories but more on the focus of bringing about natural happiness within ourselves. Basically my goal is to mix life with mindfulness, achievement, organization, and learning how to de-clutter our lives. Yes, easier said than done…but very possible in a society drenched with news full of fear, daily job pressures, family responsibilities, the list goes on and on.

So far my adventure (that is what I like to call it) with this blog has been a pleasant and rewarding one. Sure, I know I’ve only posted a few articles, but the fulfillment of writing them has been rewarding already. And yes, rewarding even if I know not many, if any, have read the articles yet. But that is ok.

Blogs and blog readership don’t happen overnight. Blogging is like growing a garden. You have fertile ground (the Internet), next you have to decide what seeds you want to plant (the articles/posts). The more you plant, the more it grows. Right now, I’ve just got a few seeds planted. The reward is creating it, watching it grow, and developing it. That is why I am here. But of course before one can start a blog or grow a garden, one needs to seek out what makes other blogs successful. What makes them unique. What makes them grow. To answer these questions, the last few weeks I’ve been scouring the Internet for some of the best blogs on personal development not only for my own interest, but also to learn what makes them successful and why.

What I have found are 12 absolutely killer blogs on personal development that you should read and why.

Sure, not every one of these blogs may not be up your alley or fit your taste, but I’m betting one or two will.

Below I have listed my Top 12 Personal Development blogs and what I love about them.  I hope you enjoy this list. I had an absolute great time finding these blogs and now I’m an avid reader of all of them.

(Drum roll please…)

Here are the Top 12 Personal Development Blogs
You Need to Read Right Now…

1. ZenHabits.net - My personal favorite. Nothing but great content, a simple clean design, and super addictive. The creator is Leo Babauta, a father with six kids, that somehow manages to find the time to create some amazing posts.

2. StevePavlina.com - Steve Pavlina’s blog is just mind blowing. Why? When he writes posts on personal development…I really mean he WRITES a post! Some posts are several thousands words long, but all high quality content.

3. Sethgodin.typepad.com - Seth Godin’s blog is more on the side of marketing and business culture. But his view and angle on life and business is fascinating to say the least. Posts may be small, but always highly entertaining.

4. Illuminatedmind.net - Jonathan from IlluminatedMind runs a blog that is very similar to ZenHabits.net (#1 in the list), but has his own unique voice in personal development. The goal of his blog is to bring about the “less boring side” of personal development, and I think he has done it very nicely.

5. Lifehack.org – Voted as one of the Top 100 blogs in the blogosphere, Lifehack.org is dedicated to “lifehacks”. This term refers to “any hacks, tips and tricks that get things done quickly by automating, increase productivity and organizing.”

6. FourHourWorkWeek.com/blog - Tim Ferriss, the author of The 4-Hour Workweek, has an amazing blog that covers all kinds of posts on self-development, gadgets and more. You can tell the guy has fun at the same time, and it shows. A highly addictive blog to follow.

7. DumbLittleMan.com - This nifty blog was created by Jay White one night after realizing that his free time was disappearing after the birth of his second child. Great articles that touch on aspects that can improve anyone’s life.

8. MildlyCreative.com - Ken’s blog is based on leading a creative and fulfilling life. His blog is a mix of self development, while mixing in getting in touch with your inner creative child. It also has a nice mix of personal artwork that gives it a nice touch.

9. UrbanMonk.net - The mission statement of this blog is: “To make as big a positive difference in the happiness, consciousness, personal power, and lives of as many people as possible, primarily through writings, interaction with readers, and recommendations. Maximize website traffic and profit without compromising the first statement, reader experience and benefit, and the author’s honesty and integrity.”

10. ThinkSimpleNow.com – I simply love ThinkSimpleNow.com. This blog is run by Tina Su who started TSN, over a weekend in late September of 2007 – with the vision of having 100 subscribers by the end of 2007, while writing about her passion for personal development, and sharing her own lessons learned. By December 2007, the site had over 3000 subscribers, and it took on a life of its very own. Today, she is honored to be writing for over 13,000 readers…including me.

11. Positivityblog.com – This blog is run by Henrik Edberg, a 28 year old guy in Sweden who absolutely loves everything to do with self development. The Positivity Blog has been online since September 2006. So far it has had about 1.6 million visitors and it has 9500+ subscribers (as of June 21 2008).

12. 43folders.com – Productivity expert Merlin Mann gives top notch advice on this blog on all kinds of subjects that can help you get more done, from fighting procrastination to changing the way you use technology.