We all have challenging days sometimes. On those days, a little extra comfort and care help us to work through whatever is bothering us. Sometimes that comfort comes from doing something familiar - curling up on the couch with a favorite story and snack. Care can also come from friends who will sit with us in our discomfort or listen when we need to talk.
Whether you're the friend who needs comfort or the one doing the comforting, it's a good idea to prepare ourselves for those situations. Sunny, happy days can be great for learning about skills to save for rainy, gloomy days. When we notice a friend who is hurting, we can refer back to the tools we gained on those sunny days to provide support. On the other hand, it can also be helpful to simply have a list of resources available so that we can investigate tools according to the needs of the situation. Either way, providing opportunities for our community members to learn how to support themselves and one another is a great way to foster positive interactions and relationships in our learning communities.
This week's selections include titles intended for self-support as well as tools for helping others. As always, please check that you're logged into Tales2go on this devices before clicking links or cover art to ensure seamless listening.
A Year of Living Kindly: Choices That Will Change Your Life and the World Around You by Donna Cameron
In A Year of Living Kindly - using stories, observation, humor, and summaries of expert research - Donna Cameron shares her experience committing to 365 days of practicing kindness. She presents compelling research into the myriad benefits of kindness, including health, wealth, longevity, improved relationships, and personal and business success. She explores what a kind life entails, and what gets in the way of it. She provides practical suggestions for how each of us can strengthen our kindness muscle so choosing a life of kindness becomes easier and more natural. A Year of Living Kindly shines a light on how we can create a better, safer, and more just world-and how you can be part of that transformation.
Difficult Personalities: A Guide to Managing Hurtful Behavior of Others (and Maybe Your Own) by Hazel Edwards
We all have people in our lives who frustrate, annoy, or hurt us: workplace bullies, those who always claim to be right, or those with anxious or obsessive personalities. And most of us hurt others occasionally, too. Now, authors Dr. Helen McGrath, a clinical psychologist and professor, and Hazel Edwards, a professional writer, offer this extremely practical guide to dealing with the difficult personalities we encounter every day-in others, and in ourselves. Difficult Personalities helpfully outlines over a dozen different personality traits and types, detailing their common characteristics and underlying motivations. It also equips listeners with numerous strategies for dealing with difficult behavior.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Stories of Compassion and Paying It Forward edited by Amy Newmark
The best way to make yourself feel great? Do a random act of kindness for someone! These 101 stories will make you smile and get you excited about what you can do, too. Make miracles happen for yourself and others. It's easy. Just think outside the box and look around. There are so many ways that you can help-and it turns out the biggest beneficiary may be you! Scientific studies have shown that "doing good" is not only good for the recipient of the good deed, but also for the person doing it, making that person happier and healthier. So dive into these 101 stories of kindness, from the everyday to the extraordinary. If you need some help, you'll find hope in these pages. And if you can give help, you'll feel energized and inspired to find your own opportunities to perform random acts of kindness - every day!
8 Ways to Declutter Your Brain by Theresa Puskar
In this revolutionary new book, edu-tainer, speaker, and author Theresa Puskar sheds light on the incessant mind chatter that clutters your brain and uncovers the myriad of traps your ego sets to deplete your energy and keep you conflicted, confused, and running. Learn how to: shift from toxic reactivity to liberating receptivity; get out of your own way and attract success; access your innate sense of well-being; review and release your never-ending battle with life; recognize the source of your anger and intolerance and discover deep peace; build genuine, heart-based relationships; transform exhaustion to inspired mobilization; and fall in love with your True Self.
Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin by Anne Katherine
Have you recently walked away from a date or a conversation feeling uncomfortable or violated? Are you looking for ways to set limits with your spouse, kids, parents, or boss? This essential guide to setting and respecting boundaries is for anyone wanting to better understand themselves and others. Drawing on decades of personal and professional experience as a therapist-as well as stories from others who have learned how to heal from serious boundary violations-Anne Katherine, MA, brings us an invaluable, foundational guide on the who, what, and why of boundaries. With nearly 100,000 copies sold, Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin has already helped thousands of readers stand up for themselves and nurture healthier relationship
Calming Your Angry Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You From Anger and Bring Peace to Your Life by Jeffrey Brantley
Anger is a natural emotion-and a part of what makes us human. But when you lose control of your anger, it can get in the way of meaningful relationships, successful careers, and ultimately, feelings of happiness and enjoyment. In this highly anticipated book, renowned mindfulness expert and author of Calming Your Anxious Mind Jeff Brantley offers a breakthrough approach using mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and compassion practices to help you better handle the anger, fear, and hostile emotions that can wreak havoc at home, work, and in relationships. In addition, you will also learn important self-awareness skills to help you stop overreacting and improve communication with others.
The Art of Talking to Anyone: Essential People Skills for Success in Any Situation by Rosalie Maggio
If you want to improve your conversational skills--and achieve greater levels of personal and professional success--The Art of Talking to Anyone is the ultimate book. Rosalie Maggio has built a career on teaching people how to say the right thing at the right time--and she's made her techniques available to you. Whether it's small talk or big, social or work-related, The Art of Talking to Anyone gives you all the tools you need to speak up with confidence, to charm and persuade, and to talk your way through any situation--successfully.
5 Steps to Surviving Teaching by Julie C. Gilbert
Teaching is awesome, and tougher than it looks. The first year of teaching will likely be the roughest one of your career, but every year has its own unique challenges. Whether you are about to embark upon the epic journey or speeding toward burnout, I hope you can find something inspirational within these pages. Inside, you will find: - Steps to surviving teaching - Tips and tricks for staying sane and saving time - Commentary on common teaching myths - Questions to ask yourself before quitting - How I improved my parent communication. --- Bonus: Get 7+ fun and easy-to-run chemistry and biology projects. The 5 Steps series of nonfiction books covers topics like writing book blurbs, chemistry, teaching, and getting books made into audiobooks.
For more titles like this, visit the Reference subject area in the Tales2go player.
