One of the best parts about founding On Purpose Communications, and being in business for myself, is that I am more in control of my schedule than in the past. That, and the confluence of my sons becoming teenagers and less reliant on me, means I suddenly have more time to pursue other interests that I’d put aside for years. This includes my love of reading a good book, and the enrichment of participating in a book club. At the risk of overcompensating, I joined two! Each fulfill a different purpose. While one group reads the latest titles from bestsellers' lists, the other gravitates toward books about faith and spiritual deepening. Both are composed of about a dozen women, all of whom I appreciate for the different perspectives they bring to our discussions. One book I’ve enjoyed the most is “The Book of Joy” by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. During this period of political division and pandemic anxiety, it was refreshing to hear these two leaders of different faiths share a common understanding about the secret of happiness and inner peace. Key takeaways — the answer lies in finding joy even in times of sorrow, in showing gratitude for the small victories, and helping others. It’s also about forgiving yourself and others, and not taking yourself too seriously. But you’ll have to read the book for the full story! As many of you know, joining a book club is usually about more than reading the book. It’s also about the friendships that form and the wisdom that is imparted. This has certainly been the case for me, as members across multiple generations and diverse backgrounds reveal some of their most private thoughts. Race relations, white privilege, cancer, lost loved ones, depression, self-doubt, miscarriages and divorce are among the topics we’ve covered. Through it all, we’ve laughed a lot too. One of my book club mates with a great sense of humor gave me a gift; it's a hand towel with a picture of a bottle of wine that says “My book club only reads wine labels.” While it's a bit of an exaggeration, we do have our fun. As my business grows and I get busier, it’s tempting to tell myself I don’t have “time” for two book clubs. But then I remember the joy it brings me, the friends I've made, and the lessons I’ve learned. And I get up from my desk and go...on purpose.
What books have you read recently that you'd recommend? Share in the comments.
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