Some juicy favorites for inspiration, perspective shift, or maybe just a well timed kick in the pants when you're feeling stuck! If you have a book, movie or song that's impacted you, please pass it along.
There were some themes emerging from the list: some are reminders to stand up for what we believe in and to listen to our gut. Others are great examples for reminding us about what's possible. Others just help us connect to our emotions.
For your convenience, if you'd like to purchase any of the favorites listed below, simply click on the title and you'll be taken to Amazon.com.
Movies |
| Strictly Ballroom (1993, Australia) Completely over the top ridiculously fun with a great life lesson from the one and only Baz Luhrmann. |
| Shall We Dance (1997, Japan) Beautiful and touching about a man's struggle to express himself and not be restricted to a role dictated by his culture. You'll be cheering at this one. |
| Amelie (2001, France) A visually beautiful story about hope and tenderness. |
| Cinema Paradiso (1998, Italy) Watch this if you've stopped believing in magic. |
| Rabbit Proof Fence (2002, Australia) Eye opening, inspiring, amazing - and based on a true story. If you want tap into your courage, this movie is for you. |
| Whale Rider (2003, New Zealand) An uplifting and inspiring story about taking a stand for what you believe in, even if it's not the popular route. |
| Shrek (2001, USA) Sometimes you just need a good laugh and you can't go wrong with this one. |
| Truly, Madly, Deeply (1991, UK) A very touching romantic comedy that is also a tear jerker... have tissues handy - sigh. |
| Dead Man Walking (1995, USA) This movie really plays with perspectives. |
| Life is Beautiful (1997, Italy) A moving story about survival that reminds us what we're capable of if we dig deep. |
| The Princess Bride (1987, USA) A great escape and so silly, what's not to love? |
Books and Magazines |
| Miles from Nowhere (Barbara Savage) The author and her husband took a 2 year, 25 country bike trip around the world! It's a moving, inspiring and entertaining telling of their incredible adventure. Read this to remind yourself that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. |
| The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho) A fable about following your dreams. A wonderful book to read if you're feeling stuck. |
| Your Money or Your Life (Joe Dominguez & Vicki Robin) This helps you de-clutter your life and take control of your spending. |
| A Peacock in the Land of Penguins: A Tale of Diversity and Discovery (Hateley and Schmidt) If you're feeling like the odd person out, this is a good one for you. |
| The Joy Diet (Martha Beck) Martha writes in a very conversational style and shares her own learnings - she's very wise and funny and it feels like she could be one of your girlfriends. She also writes a monthly column in O Magazine. |
| Oh the Places You'll Go! (Dr. Seuss) A must for any home. |
| Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom) A bit gushy yes, but it reminds us of what's really important. |
| The Conscious Bride: Women Unveil Their True Feelings About Getting Hitched (Sheryl Paul) A must for any engaged woman who knows there's more to getting married than picking out the dress and the flowers. |
| Prince Charming isn't Coming (Barbara Stanny) A simple easy to follow book for taking responsibility for your own financial future. It de-mystifies the investment world. |
| The Art of Possibility (Rosamund Stone Zander, Benjamin Zander) This is my new favorite book. What an inspiring reminder of what's possible for us. Everyone should have a copy handy. |
| Taming your Gremlin: A Guide to Enjoying Yourself (Rick Carson) I refer to this book a lot in my coaching practice. You know that annoying voice in your head that wants you to think you can't do something? Well, we all have them and that's your gremlin. This book is all about, well, taming it! |
| The Artist's Way (Julia Cameron) This book is popular for a reason. It's a wonderful stepped approach that will help you tap into your creativity regardless of how creative you consider yourself. |
| The Woman's Retreat Book (Jennifer Louden) If you want to plan a retreat and don't know where to start, this is the resource for you. |
| O Magazine Martha Beck and other juicy nuggets in bite sized pieces. Each issue is centered on a theme. That Oprah, she knows what she's doing! |
Music |
| Music is so powerful in the way it can impact our emotions. Whatever you need, there's a song to get you there, be it energy, quiet time or dancing, these will help you connect to different emotions and moods. In some cases, the entire CD has been listed! |
Get up and shake your groove thang! |
| I'm Every Woman (Chaka Khan) But really, anything by the divine Chaka will get your groove on. |
| Superstition (Stevie Wonder) |
| Kinky Self titled CD by an energetic band from Mexico. |
| Makina Loca (CD, Ricardo Lemvo) Afro-Cuban energy. |
| Cubanismo (Cubanismo) Self titled CD - there's nothing like a big horn section to get you moving. |
Inspiring |
| This Little Light of Mine This is on the Corrina, Corrina soundtrack but there are many version of this beautiful old gospel song. |
| Powerless (Nelly Furtado, Folklore) |
| Three Little Birds (Bob Marley, Exodus) |
| Sisters (Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox) Does it get any better than this? |
Stop you in your tracks and feel it in your gut |
| Hallelujah (Rufus Wainwright, Lifted, a Hear Music CD from Starbucks or the Shrek soundtrack) |
| Om Namo Bhagavate (Deva Premal, Embrace) |
| Bare (CD, Annie Lennox) |
| I Wanna be Loved (Elvis Costello, The best of) |
| Misty Blue (Dorothy Moore, Phenomenon soundtrack) |
