Obama

I just finished Barack Obama's Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. And I loved it! I especially loved the parts about him growing up and scenes from his everyday family life. Unfortunately there wasn't too much of that.

In the book, he mainly talks about many of the problems we all (as Americans) face and on ways to resolve them. And some of the solutions he suggests deeply connected with me. It opened my eyes to what could be possible. And so really did give me hope on things I had kinda given up on. I'm glad that he is our President now and can't wait for the next book he'll write...

Unstuck!

It is hard being stuck to an idea. It becomes the center of your universe. And all you other thoughts converge towards it. When this goes on long enough, it probably becomes a belief, which defines the way you live your life and the experiences you have in it.

But by questioning/inquiring (the hard part), you can remove the idea from the center and consider it to be just another one of your thoughts. And then, Poof! - the idea lets go of you.

Henry David Thoreau

We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate. --Thoreau

Books

Lately I've been reading 101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married: Simple Lessons To Make Love Last by Linda and Charlie Bloom.

It is quiet wonderful: each lesson is 2-3 pages long and contains a mini-story about a key principle. Some are obvious (like #30. Expectations set us up for resentment). Others are surprising (like #38. Vacations are necessities, not luxuries & #44. If you think, "You're not the person I married," you're probably right.) Overall, it is fantastic book on how to cultivate a great marriage. And not only do the Blooms' share stories about their patients, but also about their own struggles in their marriage!

A few other books I've found very interesting, but haven't bought yet:

• The Three Laws of Performance: Rewriting the Future of Your Organization and Your Life
• Get the Life You Want: The Secrets to Quick and Lasting Life Change with Neuro-Linguistic Programming
• The Gift of Fear
• Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America -- this one was recommended by Bill Gates during his inspiring TED talk (if I remember correctly)