7 Books That Influenced Me

It has dawned on me that our happiness depends far more on the quality of our thoughts than on the cars we drive and the houses we live in. That's why it's so important to invest in a good library and encourage our children to read.

As for me, I have always read widely but not wisely. Despite there being many fascinating books out there, I have wasted precious moments of my life reading uncaptivating stuff.

But at least I have devoured quite a number of good books that have influenced how I think and the values I hold. Let me mention seven of the books and in the order in which I read them.

1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: I first read this book in April 2007. It inspired me to have a definite purpose for my life. I however took a long time to discover that blogging is my calling. The book also enlightened me to have sex only with the woman of my dreams who I am yet to meet.
2. My Life by Bill Clinton: I first read this hefty memoir in 2007, then re-read it twice and learnt, among other valuable insights, that love and kindness will always prevail over cruelty and selfishness. Given how the insights still pop into my mind, I don't think the memoir will ever cease influencing me. Not that I want to, anyway!
3. Communication: An Introduction to Speech by P. Hudson Newcombe: This book was too boring to read from cover to cover but I am glad I chanced upon an inspiring speech in it. The speech, which was delivered by U.S. Congressman Gerry Sirkoski, spurred me to strive enjoying what I do and to never give up on myself if I am to be a success.
4. The Bible: Since I started reading the Bible in 2008, I have on many occasions failed to obey its commands. But I have kept gravitating back to it. These days, the Bible is my supreme source of the knowledge I use to rise above the petty conflicts and worries that litter my everyday living.
5. Life's Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown Jr.: A delightful read, this book contains instructions on how to lead a fruitful life. It touched me so much when I read it in 2015 that I felt compelled to share some of the instructions with my friends. This is another book that will never stop influencing me.
6. Writers Inc: This colorful book, which says that writing is one of the most powerful tools of self-discovery, encourages youngsters to set up a blog and share their writings. It has tips that I use to make my blog stories riveting. Now that I have grown to love blogging, I believe my future holds great promise.
7. Be Inspired Before You Expire by Pepe Minambo: The author seems to have written this book for me because he talked about the challenges I have faced: suppressed childhood, timidity, confusion, the tragedy of a broken dream, and a tendency to irritate others while figuring out how to achieve dreams.
   
   What I gleaned from the book is that in order to overcome my past and lead a victorious life, I need to trust in God, read avidly, develop a positive self-image, express myself often and be unique in what I do. Quite useful nuggets of information, aren't they?

There you have it: that is, a list of the 7 books that influenced me. Even though following the pieces of advice they carry has made me lag behind as I have had some major weaknesses to overcome, I don't regret the path I have taken. Books do change lives.

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RECOMMENDATION: If you've enjoyed the above story on 7 books that influenced me, you might also enjoy a book review of "As a Man Thinketh" which I wrote a few years ago.