I heard an interview with Jessica Lamb-Shapiro who wrote: “PROMISE LAND My Journey Through America’s Self-Help Culture” on NPR that re-aired recently and it really struck me that we spend so much time trying to figure ourselves out…is it working?  I don’t want to sound preachy.  I am very much all in with the personal discovery stuff.  ALL IN.  I have just decided to read fewer books of the self-help ilk and dive into more fiction and storytelling this year. Erica Jong’s “Fear of Flying” in on my bedside table right now. A great start to a year of fiction.

Here’s the link to Jessica Lamb-Shapiro’s interview:

http://www.npr.org/2014/01/22/264878772/skeptic-takes-a-tour-of-self-helps-promise-land

In Jessica’s interview she quotes the philosopher Marcus Aurelius Roman Emperor and Philosopher as having as good of information as anyone about life.  I found this quote that really resonated me.

“You have power over your mind—not outside events.

Realize this, and you will find strength.”

—Marcus Aurelius

Trying to directly quote anyone based on 4th Century scholars has some challenges—these words are attributed to him anyway. Thank you Mr. Aurelius.