One thing I immersed myself in the last two months was reading. I love to read. I rarely watch TV as books are far more interesting to me.
While I read often at night, during my sabbatical I read when I felt called to, or when a book was so good I just had to get back to it. I also read with the intent of exploring some avenues that are of interest to me. I’m still doing that. So many books and even with sabbatical, seems so little time to get to them all!
It is intriguing to me as I let my mind clear what was coming up for me. I found myself going back to books I had read years ago. I followed those impulses as I knew I either needed to be reminded of what matters to me, or I needed to glean something new I might have missed before.
I break my books into three separate categories below. Category one is exploration. These are topics of which I am interested in learning more about. Category two are books I felt the need to read again which I call Revisited. Category three is For Fun. No explanation needed there!
Thought you might enjoy a peek inside my sabbatical in this way. Many books I’ve listed I have read, some I’m currently reading, and some I look forward to reading. I think books we are attracted to tell us a alot about ourselves, our interests, and what our hearts may be trying to tell us.
Another thing I realized in the books I’m reading and continue to be attracted to are all affirmations of what is meaningful to me. When I walked away from writing for my blog and newsletter, as well as setting others things aside, I found that through the books I chose to read, and thoughts that flowed through my mind, that this is who I am. I felt so empty walking away largely in part due to grief, which made me question all over again, what is my purpose? But I continue to be fascinated by exactly the things I’ve always been: Animals, writing, finding happiness in what brings me joy, and living within what it is that makes my life meaningful for me.
EXPLORATION
Animal Voices, Telepathic Communication in the Web of Life by Dawn Baumann Brunke
Animal Voices, Animal Guides by Dawn Baumann Brunke
Shapeshifting and our Animal Companions by Dawn Baumann Brunke
Animal Teachings by Dawn Baumann Brunke
Enchantment of the Faerie Realm- Communicate with Nature Spirits and Elementals by Ted Andrews
Awakening Joy- 10 Steps That Will Put You on the Road to Real Happiness by James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander
The Simple Living Guide by Janet Luhrs
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Bringing Your Soul to Light by Dr. Linda Backman
I realized when looking through my notes from 2005 when I was going through my life coaching work with coach, Diane that one of my interests I had listed was animal communication. Many of you may recall that I’ve had readings done for Cassie, Kylie, Frankie and Joie. Also some amazing signs from my animals seem to present themselves to me, which further intrigues me.
I will continue to explore the animal communication world through reading. I’m also working with Dawn to bring her to my home for an animal communication workshop later this winter or early spring 2014. The two-day weekend workshop will be limited to 14 people. If this is of interest to you, please do let me know and I’ll add you to my list of people to contact once we have all the details together. You can learn more about Dawn here.
REVISITED
A Year by the Sea by Joan Anderson
The Second Journey- The Road Back to Yourself by Joan Anderson
A Walk on the Beach by Joan Anderson
A Weekend to Change Your Life-Find Your Authentic Self After A Lifetime of Being All Things to All People by Joan Anderson
When the Heart Waits- Spiritual Direction for Life’s Sacred Questions by Sue Monk Kidd
Endings. Beginnings…When Midlife Women Leave Home in Search of Authenticity by Ani Liggett, Ph.D
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
FOR FUN
Blush- A Mennonite Girl Meets A Glittering World by Shirley Hershey Showalter
One Woman Farm by Jenna Woginrich
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
Jonathon Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach