THE POWER OF BOOKS and PODCASTS .... Wherever I go, I take my book. It is amazing how many times in one day, a meeting is delayed. Someone is running late. You arrive early. The dentist is behind time. There are so many opportunities, even in a single day to take out your book and read 5 pages. If that happens 3 times a day, then you have just read 15 of a 240-page book. That means, you will read it in 16 days and that means you read 20 books per year!

One of my clearly defined values is THIRST FOR WISDOM. Living that value means I choose books that can teach me. When I travel in my car, I listen to podcasts. I am always searching for a learning opportunity. Growing, evolving, becoming more aware of better mindsets is a not only a joy for me. It fuels new possibilities.

When two such books are The Happiness Trap : Harris, Russ: Amazon.com.au: Books and THE TOP FIVE REGRETS OF THE DYING by Bronnie Ware, then you are going to receive new ways of seeing self, life and people. Do yourself a favour and order both on Amazon now and read them before Christmas, then your festive season will bring you greater joy for sure!!

For example, just imagine what you would learn from someone who for years worked in palliative care with patients who had gone home to die. Bronnie Ware loved them for the last 3 to 12 weeks of their lives. Special times were shared. People see new things ... they grow quickly when faced with their own mortality. This was hammered home to A JOURNEY WITH BERNIE in Episode # 8 with Joel Staite, who was told he had 3 months to live but found greater life to last 6 years. When faced with death, change in so many dimensions can be phenomenal. Such change often brings greater awareness and peace before departure.

So, I'll give you a taste of what is to come for you. Here is one of the 5 regrets of those reflecting on life as they approach their passing ... I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

How many dreams have gone because of one's lack of courage to stop compromising. Why wouldn't you favour your own fulfilment so that you have more to give self, life and others?

This is where The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris ... amazon.com.au/Happiness-Trap-Struggling-Start-Living/dp/1590305841 ... adds so much value, because it focuses on how to create a meaningful life by living your values not compromising them, which Bronnie noticed was at the core of people's regrets as they approached life's end.

THE HAPPINESS TRAP is devoted to effective strategies that can help us unhook from thoughts and feelings that do not serve us.

It addresses the difference between values and goals and admirably suggests we redefine success as living by our values.

You will find this episode loaded with actions and strategies for your contemplation, but perhaps the most obvious message is simply this ... VALUE LEARNING ... READ MORE ... THIRST FOR GROWTH ... SEEK NEW EXPERIENCES. It is a habit that will fuel your life.

Bernie K ... +61 412 982 444