As we close off 2016, and move into 2017, I find it essential at this time of year to write down what I have experienced, what I have learnt, and what I am committed to for the next year. Gratitude comes into this exercise, as well as soaking in inspiration to align my intentions and vision for the year ahead.
If you’re looking for inspiration in any form, I have chronicled my favourite things to watch, listen to or read here for you. If you know me well you will be familiar with my never ending thirst to continue learning, and then taking these learnings into action in my daily life. I hope these can inspire you in some way to elevate yourself to live with more clarity, creativity and expansion of consciousness.
Jac x
LISTEN
Ram Dass Here and Now Podcast
– Letting It All Go
– Reflections on Suffering Part 1 and Part 2
– Promises and Pitfalls Part 1, 2 and 3
Tim Ferriss Show Podcast
– Episode 2: Joshua Waitzkin
– Episode 6: Formulas for More Output and Less Overwhelm
– Episode 37: Tony Robbins on Morning Routines, Peak Performance and Mastering Money Part 1
– Episode 38: Tony Robbins on Morning Routines, Peak Performance and Mastering Money Part 2
– Episode 60: Tim Ferriss Interviews Arnold Scharzenegger on Psychological Warfare (and much more)
– Episode 67: Amanda Palmer on How To Fight, Meditation and Make Good Art
– Episode 73: A Chess Prodigy on Mastering Martial Arts, Chess and Life
Episode 76: Rick Rubin, The Seclusive Zen Master
Episode 79: Chris Sacca on Being Different and Making Billions
Episode 118: How Philosophy Can Change Your Life, Alain De Botton
Episode 124: Jamie Foxx on Workout Routines, Success Habits and Untold Hollywood Stories
Episode 140: Shaun White: The Most Unholy Snowboarder Ever
Episode 148: Josh Waitzkin, The Prodigy Returns
Episode 178: Tony Robbins – On Achieving Versus Fulfillment
The Rich Roll Podcast
– How To Be A Minimalist: Joshua Fields Millburn on The Power Of Living Deliberately and Contributing Beyond Ourselves
Inside Quest Podcast
– Why The Past Doesn’t Exist – with Steve Maxwell
– Rescuing Yourself, Overcoming Fear and Finding Success By Serving Others with Lisa Nichols
WATCH
Alan Watts on The Real You
Maurice Sendak on Life
Brene Brown on Blame
I’ll Die When I’m Young – on Netflix
A documentary on Steve Aoki. Even if you don’t like dance music (or hate it like Arran) you’ll enjoy this documentary if you appreciate extraordinary vision and dedication (like Arran).
I’m Not Your Guru – on Netflix
A documentary that for decades was never going to be made on Tony Robbins and his processes.
The Intouchables
I recently watch this again (for the 4th time), and I love this film so wanted to share it.
READ
If you could only read a few books I would recommend…
Making The Impossible Possible by Bill Strickland – an absolute must read.
The Space Within by Michael Neill, and The Inside Out Revolution (also by Michael Neill) – both these books are unreal and I highly recommend.
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks – Jeff Kober recommended this to me and I am only 1/4 way through and LOVE it.
The for your ongoing list…
Illusions by Richard Bach – a beautiful, short and sweet book. The parable at the beginning alone I love.
Who Would You Be Without Your Story by Byron Katie – this book is such a brilliant way to experience The Work, and understand the depths of our thinking.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi – be prepared to sob. Utterly inspiring.
Gratitude by Oliver Sacks – I cherish this little short book.
The Untethered Soul by Michael A Singer – I can’t recommend this book enough. A way to understanding the mind.
Nourishing Wisdom by Marc David – the mind body connection and our relationship to food.
When Life Falls Apart by Pema Chodron – how I love all the work of Pema.
Zen Mind Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki – I have read and listened to this book many times. A constant go to.
The Three Pillars of Zen by Roshi Phillip Kapleau – a great book, part autobiography, part teaching.
Grist For The Mill by Ram Dass – a cracker about life’s challenges.
Minding The Earth, Mending The World by Susan Murphy – a wonderful book and an important one, the need of the time through the lens of my Zen teacher.
Mindset by Carol Dweck – why we do or don’t do the things we want, and the mindset that aligns with is. A great understanding of the mind and brain and conditioning.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – the first book of this authors that I loved. Non fiction on creativity and the time is now.
Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday – a brilliant book on the ego and it’s perils.