A Late-Summer Reading List
We read to know we are not alone. – C.S. Lewis
This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. Most schools will be back in session next week, vacations have been enjoyed and home project lists are growing. But, there is still this weekend.
If you are interested in spending your remaining summer days doing some reading, I invite you to grab your favorite beverage, nestle in a comfortable spot and consider this late-summer reading list.
The following articles are ones you may have missed. The first eight are the most popular articles over the last 12 months. The last two are my personal favorites. I hope you enjoy reading theses articles as much as I enjoyed writing them.
7 Simple Things to Do Everyday
Every day I attempt to go about my life with the best intentions. My goal is not to judge the bad days too harshly or the good days with too much jubilation, but to live somewhere in the middle. My middle is not filled with mediocrity or an area absent of passion; it’s simply a place of peace, knowing and balance. And part of living in the middle is doing seven simple things every day and then looking for the value in what happens next. [Read here]
22 Ways to Feel Alive Again
The following ways to feel alive again are ones that resonate with me and the results can be realized almost immediately. It is my hope I will begin learning to do more of these when I find myself feeling worn down and before my body meets the wall again. I hope you find some inspiration from this list, too. [Read here]
101 Ways to Love Each Other
By loving consciously, we discover love is the force that puts the world back together when it feels like it’s coming apart. It provides a sense of contentment and gratitude deep in our hearts and is the voice that tells us, “Everything will be okay.” Consider these ways to love each other and help create a world where beauty and grace can fill the hearts of everyone willing to give and then receive love’s gentle power. [Read here]
The Point of Being Human
Our lives will be measured by what we write on our hearts, not by what we write on our resumes. Our lives will be defined by the times when someone asked for our love and we gave it. Our lives will be shaped by the times when we asked for love and then received it. [Read here]
Finding the Beautiful You
Finding the beautiful you is not about finding perfection with how you look, but in accepting you are who you are for a reason. Perfection is not required, only joy in celebrating your special brand of compassion, talent and beauty. [Read here]
The Best Things in Life
The best things in life aren’t the things we have, but rather who we get to share these things with. The best things in my life were sitting with me on Thanksgiving Day. With my family, everything else is all the sweeter. [Read here]
Color My World with Change
The time between when we begin to feel the need for change and until the time we are ready to share our growth with the world may be cold and harsh. But our faith tells us that everything does have a season. Our bright colors that once announced our desire to change may soon fade when the reality of what we have to do in order to experience that change is understood. [Read here]
Isn’t Life Beautiful?
After showering and dressing for work, I walk back into the bedroom to wake my wife. For a brief moment, I get to see her see like no one else does. And in that moment, my wife is simply beautiful. [Read here]
Don’t Give Up on You
When you feel like giving up remember this one, simple truth: You are loved. Believe in this truth and use this certainty to rely on your faith and allow it to hold you together. [Read here]
Tracing Life Every Other Wednesday
My truth tells me that it’s not how I see myself when I feel covered in shame; my truth is how God sees me. My truth is what God says is the truth for me.Tracing life every other Wednesday is taking me to closer to this truth and to a place where redemption can live forever. [Read here]
The BridgeMaker is two-years-old!
The BridgeMaker turns two-years-old this week. What started as a kitchen-table hobby has grown into a passion. I sincerely appreciate you, the readers, for your support, encouragement and kind words along the way.
There have been many times when I considered quitting only finding an email the next day from a reader telling me how an article helped. You have made a difference in my life – thank you!
I will see you back here next year with another collection of posts to celebrate the blog’s three-year anniversary. Until then, it’s my honor to share the journey with you. – Alex
More from The BridgeMaker
Alex Blackwell is the Founder of The BridgeMaker. His book, How to Love Consciously, is now available as a free download here. Join Alex and The BridgeMaker community on Facebook and don’t forget to get your free subscription to receive free updates and exclusive content.
- Bite Sized Pieces of Change
- A Simple Path – To Savoring Every Moment
- A Simple Path – To a Life Brighter than Diamonds
- 20 Ways to Feel Alive Again
- Sometimes the Sound of Hoofbeats are from Zebras
Comments
13 Responses to “A Late-Summer Reading List”
What do you think?
Some great content here. Thanks for the last 200 posts!
Alex,
The energy in your space is amazing..
Thank *you* for the time and energy you invest in all that you share..
I read each essay on the above list and was wow’d by each one. I want to say I ‘needed’ each one because my heart lit up with all that was shared..refreshing, encouraging, inspirational..I can’t say which spoke to me more because they *all* spoke to me…
May you receive back into your life the wonder and joy that your readers feel when they visit your space..
Much peace..
Alex,
Happy Blogging Birthday. Two years is a lot of dedication. I remember reading each post you’ve listed here. You share so much of yourself in your writing. This gives all of us a chance to relate to you on a more intimate level. I appreicate you! Congrats!
@ Mark: Thank you reading them!
@ Joy: I do feel the wonder and joy and I appreciate it very much. Thanks for your heartfelt comment.
@ Tess: That means a lot coming from you Tess. Let’s going – shall we?
Hi Alex,
Firstly, I’d like to congratulate you on your blog 2nd birthday. I quote from a well-known Chinese birthday wish – “May there is this day every year for your blog”, which for our Chinese culture is “Everlasting”.
I admire your persistence and dedication in building up your blog for the past two years! I’d say you have a very inspiring blog. And your articles have helped and inspired me much.
I’ve only been blogging for about half a year and sometimes I tend to give up. But thanks to fellow bloggers like you who unselfishly share your experience and articles that motivate and keep me going.
By the way, the above lists come at the right time at this point in my life which are just what I need.
Thank you very much, Alex.
@ Alex: Keep following your passion Alex; it was put there for a reason. It’s my honor to be a part of your life. Let me know if I can help you.
Congratulations on two years Alex. I remember when you first began and it has been a joy to witness what you have created and to be a part of this community. I just love ya!
You continue to inspire me with how much of your heart you share and the many ways your voice serves others. Thank you my friend!
Love,
Lo
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!!
What a wonderful job you have done in only two years. I figured it had been much longer as you are so well established. I am very impressed. Just the titles of several of these articles are compellingly compassionate and make me want to further check them out. Some look familiar, but others I must read.
Compassion really is the word that best suits you and your site. You embrace all with love and an absence of judgment. THAT is an enormous gift because it is the “space” we all need to heal. In the absence of judgment all things heal. Add in a good dose of compassion and love, and anything is possible.
It is an honor to be part of your circle.
Robin.
@ Lorraine: I love you, too my friend. You were the first blogger to welcome me and tell me I could do it. You will always have a special place in my heart. How about if we keep at this for many more years to come?
@ Robin: I’m sincerely touched by your kind and sincere words. Your encouragement is like medicine for me – thanks for the healthy dose.
What an Inspired Post. I found great and many advices here. Life is beautiful. It’s not a false statement.It’s definitely true. The way how to have beautful life is here,:-)
@ Lucky: Yes, it is true.
[...] at his blog “The BridgeMaker” with this extraordinary list of essays A Late-Summer Reading List. Please take the time to read through each one; inspiring, refreshing, thought-provoking, [...]
@ Joy – thanks so much for the link.