Books that Inspired Me - Making a difference while sitting in traffic...

Good Afternoon,

In the past few months I've experienced a number of changes in my life and family.  One of them was taking a position in Seattle.  On a daily basis I have the opportunity to join my fellow traffic buddies as we drive toward the emerald city.  In an effort to be a good steward of my time, and more importantly to stay awake during my drive I've starting listening to audio books.  It's an amazing way to be inspired, and gain some information that I've been able to implement into my own life.  Here is a list of the books I've had the chance to listen to:

I really enjoyed listening to this book that was narrated by Joel Osteen.  He's such a positive person that encourages each of us to follow our own path in life to be excellent.  He explains our life is like a race that we should be trying to win every day of our life.  He also cautions that sometimes people will enter our lives that won't understand your dreams and desires.  As those people share their opinions of what you should do, you also have the right to graciously ignore their opinion.  I hope you find this book - either written or audio - an inspiration that you are a unique individual that has a special gift to offer this world.


In YOU CAN, YOU WILL, Joel Osteen shares eight undeniable qualities of winners that can help you to reach your potential and achieve new levels of success in your life. You are created to be a winner. Get these eight principles deep down on the inside and boldly go in the direction of your destiny.

1. Keep Your Vision in Front of You - Dare to dream big dreams.
2. Run Your Race - Focus on your unique course and goals.
3. Expect Good Things - Anticipate great opportunities.
4. Have a Positive Mind-set - Take control of your thoughts and attitudes.
5. Commit to Excellence - Do your best and maintain high standards.
6. Keep Growing - Be proactive, be intentional, build on your gifts, and continually improve.
7. Serve Others - Invest yourself in others.
8. Stay Passionate - Light the fire within and approach life with enthusiasm.

After listening to his first book I was curious to see what he had to say in another one of his works.  In this book he focuses on not letting the things that happen to us in life determine or define our futures.  It was great to absorb this information at a difficult time in my life where we as a family we're experiencing some challenging events.  Listening to this book on the way to work helped to generate a positive perspective for me on my life, and the day of work.  If you're going through a rough patch, take the time to read or listen book if you want to be encouraged that you can break through the barriers in your life.


We were not created to just get by with average, unrewarding or unfulfilled lives. God created us to leave our marks on our generations. Every person has seeds of greatness planted within by the Creator. When life weighs upon us, pushing us down, limiting our thinking, labeling us in negative ways, we have what it takes to overcome and rise above into the fullness of our destinies. In his dynamic, inspiring and faith-building new book, BREAK OUT: Five Ways To Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life, best-selling author Joel Osteen provides practical steps and encouragement for creating a life without limitations. This book will help readers break out and break free so they can believe bigger, increase their productivity, improve their relationships and accomplish their dreams. Osteen's uplifting message focuses on moving beyond barriers by:

• Daring to believe that the best will happen for us
• Adopting an irrepressible "break out" attitude
• Making room for increase
• Praying bold prayers
• Following God's plan beyond our circumstances

Filled with faith and inspiration, BREAK OUT challenges readers to have a new perspective, to let nothing hold them back, and to reject any labels that might limit them. Osteen inspires and encourages with the message that our first break outs must occur within our own minds: "When you break though in your mind, believing you can rise higher and overcome obstacles, then God will unleash the power within that will enable you to go beyond the ordinary into the extraordinary life you were designed to live."

 The final book I want to share about is by my favorite game show host, and an amazing comedian.  This book wasn't narrated by Steve, but the content was great.  It's more of an autobiography on his life, and how using your talents and gifts in life can create happiness and success.  He told the amazing story of his road to success starting as a small child when one of his teacher's sadly told him he wouldn't amount to much.  Boy, did he prove that naysayer wrong.  His book focuses on being aware of your gift, and using that special gift to benefit the lives of others and yourself.  He shares fascinating stories that took from laughs to tears.  What a great book if you're looking to make 2015 the year you take your life to a new level.

In his phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Steve Harvey told women what it takes to succeed in love. Now, he tells everyone how to succeed in life, giving you the keys to fulfill your purpose.

Countless books on success tell you what you need to get that you don’t already possess. In Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success, Steve Harvey tells you how to achieve your dreams using the gift you already have. Every one of us was born with a gift endowed by our creator—something you do the best at with very little effort. While it can be like someone else’s, your gift is yours alone. No one can take it away. You are the only one who can use it—or waste it.

Steve shows how that gift holds your greatest chance at success, and the fulfillment of your life’s mission and purpose. He helps you learn to define your gift—whether it’s being a problem solver, a people-connector, a whiz with numbers, or having an eye for colors. He makes clear that your job is not your gift; you may use it in your work, but it can also be used in your marriage or relationship, your community, and throughout every aspect of your life. Throughout, he provides a set of principles that will help you direct your gift. “The scriptures say your gift will make room for you and put you in the presence of great men,” Steve reminds us. This book is your road map to identifying your gift, acknowledging it, perfecting it, connecting it to a vehicle, and riding it to success. Because Success is the gift you already have.”

Funny yet firm, told in Steve’s warm and insightful voice, and peppered with anecdotes from his own life, practical advice, and truthful insights, this essential guide can help you transform your life and achieve everything you were born to.

I hope you find something to inspire you today.  Take care, Dave.