I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou

As a child, I experienced severe dyslexia. and reading was a major challenge. This was the first book of leisure ever finished as an adult. Because “I Know Why…” was such an easy read, I could not put it down. When I found myself taking a break to sleep or go to work, I was longing to find out what happened to young Maya and her older brother. Her journey became my journey. Although the circumstances were different, I could relate to the themes Maya used to teach the lessons I need to learn.

“I Know Why…” is a book that talks about the challenges of learning as a child of color in the racist south. There was an instant connection, not only because of my race but because I also struggled with literacy throughout my primary education. Maya Angelou freely writes about the sexual abuse she experienced as a child, which led to her decision not to speak for five years. Her account allowed me to begin my healing process around my own experiences.

The greatest lesson for me is the theme of freedom. Throughout the book, Ms. Angelou talks about her experience of racism. But it was the power of words and language that freed her mind, allowing her soul to sing. She taught me to rise above my circumstances. She introduced me to the principle “Words Have Power.” I fell in love with Maya Angelou because of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” and have read almost everything she has written. She is and will always be a teacher and inspiration.

Life Visioning
by Michael Bernard Beckwith

I received the physical copy of “Life Visioning” on January 13th, 2012. But because I have been a student and a mentee of Michael Beckwith since 2006, I had been practicing “Life Visioning” for a long time before it’s arrival. This book is my personal “go-to” for discovering the next phases of my life. Every time there is a desire to shift my paradigm and rediscover my life’s calling, “Life Vision” has been an access point for my evolution. This book introduced me to the “4 Stages of Evolutionary Growth.” Stage 1 – Victim Consciousness, stage 2 – Manifester Consciousness, stage 3 – Channel Consciousness. and stage 4 – Being Consciousness.

“Life Visioning” gave me the language to articulate what I was experiencing as a spiritual being having a human incarnation. Michael’s “Life Visioning” as a spiritual technology helped me to reveal my life’s calling and for that, I am eternally grateful.

The Energy Codes
by Sue Morter

The question I am asking myself is, “Where to begin?” The Energy Codes is so rich with spiritual, but particlular way to understand energy. As a yoga student and instructor, The Energy Codes has been instrumental in how I comprehend and teach the Chakra System. Sue Morter invites me to expand beyond intellect and have an experiential awakening.

The Five Truths in The Energy Codes have transformed my life from “pain to bliss,” as Sue has written. 1. Everything is energy. 2. Your life is energy. 3. You are the creator of your life. 4. Your creation -your life – is always expanding. 5. The purpose of your life is to discover your creatorship. Once I embraced and fully lived the five truths, my life expanded beyond my wildest dreams. The Energy Codes”transformed my life, physically, mentally and spiritually.
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Between the World and Me
by Ta-Nehisi Coates

I love a good book that challenges my paradigm, offering a new way to experience life. Between the World and Me, is a masterpiece in the form of a letter to the author’s son. This book is a journey of racial introspection that makes me question my perspective and understanding of race relations in America. This brilliantly crafted non-fiction brings to light Ta-Nehisi’s concerns for his son, growing up in a racist country. Toni Morrison, one of my favorite authors that did not make my list, said, and I quote, “I’ve been wondering who might fill the intellectual void that plagued me after James Baldwin died. Clearly, it is Ta-Nehisi Coates.” I agree! Coates reminds me of Baldwin’s swagger and poetic mastery.

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Between the World and Me is an odyssey of a young man from the streets of Baltimore becoming a New York Times Bestselling author. I read this book in one day. I was deeply moved to tears as Coates explained his love of American history and how slavery has affected our present social culture. The accounts of his education at Howard University left me envious of the HBCU (historically black university) experience. Ta-Nehisi took me on his first, unforgettable trip to Paris that made me utter an audible statement, “The next time I am in France, I am going to Paris.” Some authors have a skill in non-fictional storytelling and Between the World and Me is a masterclass in the art of the narrative.

The Gifts of Imperfection
by Brené Brown

The subtitle says it all: “Letting Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are.” Another one of Oprah’s many book club inspirations, The Gifts of Imperfection helped me to understand perfectionism and how it was standing in the way of me experiencing meaningful and authentic relationships.

In 2010 I was in a committed relationship with someone I loved deeply, but I was not happy. During our conscious un-coupling, I was introduced to Brené’s book; literally a gift for my healing. She told my story of self-shaming, blaming others, and feeling unloved. Brené invited me to see that everything I considered to be an imperfection was a divine blessing. The Gift of Imperfection is one of my greatest tools for living a vulnerable and authentic life.