4 Books You Must Read Before Starting 2021
By: Gabriela Rodríguez
Tags: Personal Growth, Personal Development, Life Hacking, Books And Authors, Purpose

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Before the year is over it’s time to prepare a fresh beginning for 2021, and what a better way to start right now just by reading a book?

Even though I’m glad 2020 is over, personally I’m grateful for everything I’ve been through and learned during these challenging times. There’s always someone or something to be grateful for, regardless of the chaos happening around.

I will always remember this year as the beginning of a beautiful journey of self-awareness and finding purpose. I had the opportunity to slow down, make peace with past mistakes and discover who I am. I know that I’m a decision away from becoming the best version of myself every day.

How was this initial transformation possible? With the help of books. Without the aid of wise authors, I wouldn’t be standing where I am now (and definitely not even writing these words).

I want to share some of the books that have transformed my way of thinking and have inspired me in following a path where I can be one step closer to my highest self.

The Four Agreements (Miguel Ruiz)

The Four Agreements is an exceptional short read to start 2021 with new beliefs that oppose the limiting one’s we have. Miguel Ruiz shares the Toltec wisdom as a way to end suffering and start experiencing joy, love and fulfillment in every aspect of your life.

Most of the time we sabotage ourselves with negative self-talk or assuming what other people might think of us. We have limiting beliefs that are stopping us from expressing who we are. This book is about changing our old thinking patterns into new ones that can lead us to freedom and hence, happier life.

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering — Miguel Ruiz

Essentialism — The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Greg McKeown)

This book should be a must in your reading list. Basically thanks to the Essentialist way I’m trying to organize my daily activities according to my priorities. Furthermore, all my life I’ve struggled with saying no to people. Yep. I used to be that girl who people knew as the first one to jump on to any plan.

Since I read Essentialism, I’ve been working on establishing my priorities and boundaries, in order to actually get done the things that are most valuable to me. If you want to overcome the feeling of not moving forward because you have so much to do, believe me you’ll not regret reading this book.

Many things are good, many are important, but only a few are essential — Greg McKeown

What I know for Sure (Oprah Winfrey)

Oprah won my heart from the first page. It’s such an honest and transparent book that has some eye opening insights and revelations about what life is really about. And I mean… Who doesn’t love Oprah?

It’s a light read, full of humor, and with a deep message that leaves you wondering how much are you saying thank you every day, for even the small things you have. You’ll be surprised how much we take for granted, and Oprah does a good job in reminding us how lucky we are just to breathe.

What I know for sure is that you feel real joy in direct proportion to how connected you are to living your truth — Oprah

The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle)

You can never go wrong with Eckhart Tolle. This man’s wisdom is unbelievable! Just with the title “The Power of Now” the essence of the book is revealed. I firmly believe this book can change someone’s life, reminding the reader with each sentence, that happiness and peace is actually inside us — and available at every moment — at the core of our being: our spirit.

How can we access our most inner (and real) self? Simply by living every moment in the here and now. Because at the end, now is all there is. We are so used to living in our mind, that we forgot how to live in the body, aka the now.

You are here to enable the divine purpose of the Universe to unfold. That is how important you are — Eckhart Tolle

If you haven’t read one of these books yet and you’re reading this article, I firmly believe that nothing is coincidence. Listen to your heart and prepare your mind and spirit to a 2021 where you can take steps towards your path and, eventually, become the person you want to be.

I wish you the best :)

-Gabriela