Man's Search for Meaning was written after Viktor Frankl survived the concentration camps of WW2.
He noticed that his fellow prisoners who could find purpose and meaning in their suffering found the strength to survive, while others perished.
This book is also a guide to finding meaning in your life.
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's way." —Viktor Frankl
The Power of Now is about living in the present moment so you suffer less and have more inner peace.
It's really about reconnecting to your physical senses rather than being lost in thinking.
Eckhart Tolle says past and future are only mental simulations because your life always happens Now.
"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you every have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life." —Eckhart Tolle
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** is like your smart but impolite friend explaining some great lessons from philosophy.
Mark Manson shows how to live by your values so you can act with less hesitation, do what's most important to you, and stop worrying what people think.
"Who you are is defined by what you’re willing to struggle for." —Mark Manson
Civilization and Its Discontents was written by Sigmund Freud, possibly THE most influential psychologist of all time.
He said people are unhappy in modern society because they are forced to suppress many of their instincts for sex and aggression.
"Beauty, cleanliness and order plainly have a special place among the requirements of civilization." —Sigmund Freud
Ikigai is about finding our life purpose and living longer, according to wisdom from Japan where people do live longer than average.
The key ideas include: doing activities that make us feel 'flow', nurturing enjoyable relationships, keeping busy after retirement, and daily light eating and exercise.
"Concentrating on one thing at a time may be the single most important factor in achieving flow." —Hector Garcia
Why should you read it?
This book sends you on a heroic quest to uncover your life's secret mission—minus the tights and cape.
Your ultimate purpose is *spoiler alert* probably not binge-watching the latest series, but finding that sweet spot where your passion, mission, and other people's needs intersect.
Sounds intimidating?
You don't need to cure cancer.
It's just about finding a reason to jump out of bed in the morning, even if it's about feeling joy in the little things with a community you belong to. 🕺