Top Shelf
Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes
by William Bridges
"However you learned to deal with them, endings are the first phase of transition. The second phase is a time of lostness and emptiness before life resumes an intelligible pattern and direction. The third phase is that of beginning anew."
Having had more than a few transitions of my own, this book offered a framework for understanding the process that we all experience throughout our lives.
The Collection
Books I keep returning to and recommending
Learning Humility: a year of searching for a vanishing virtue
by Richard Foster
"But knowledge, by itself, is not wisdom. Wisdom is choosing the right thing to say and do . . . at the right time . . . in the right place . . . and with the right innner motivation. For us to be able to exercise wisdom in this way requires that we possess massive amounts of humility."
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurryby John Mark Comer
"We become what we give our attention to, for better or worse.” In *The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry*, John Mark Comer argues that chronic busyness and distraction are among the greatest threats to spiritual health, emotional well-being, and meaningful relationships. Drawing from the life and teachings of Jesus, Comer suggests that the goal of life is not merely productivity or accomplishment, but becoming the kind of person capable of love, peace, and presence. He describes “hurry sickness” as a pervasive condition marked by exhaustion, superficiality, and disconnection from God, ourselves, and others. As a remedy, Comer encourages intentional spiritual practices such as silence and solitude, Sabbath rest, simplicity, and slowing down—habits designed to resist the pressures of modern culture and cultivate a more grounded, attentive, and spiritually healthy way of life.
Time to Think
by Nancy Kline
"Everything we do depends for its quality on the thinking we do first. And our thinking depends on the quality of our attention for each other." Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind by Nancy Kline introduces the "Thinking Environment," a model for creating an atmosphere where people can think more clearly and creatively through specific behaviors, with effective listening as the core component. The book provides a practical, step-by-step guide to applying these principles in any situation, from business meetings to personal relationships, to improve problem-solving, productivity, and connection. It details ten key behaviors, such as equality, appreciation, and uninterrupted listening, that foster independent thought and transform how individuals and teams work and live.
Time to Think
by Nancy Kline
"Everything we do depends for its quality on the thinking we do first. And our thinking depends on the quality of our attention for each other." Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind by Nancy Kline introduces the "Thinking Environment," a model for creating an atmosphere where people can think more clearly and creatively through specific behaviors, with effective listening as the core component. The book provides a practical, step-by-step guide to applying these principles in any situation, from business meetings to personal relationships, to improve problem-solving, productivity, and connection. It details ten key behaviors, such as equality, appreciation, and uninterrupted listening, that foster independent thought and transform how individuals and teams work and live.