September Book to Live By

The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau

Compulsive goal-seeker Chris Guillebeau never imagined that his biggest revelation would be how many people like himself exist—each pursuing a challenging quest. These quests are as diverse as humanity itself, involving exploration, the pursuit of athletic or artistic excellence, or battling against injustice and poverty. Everywhere that Chris found ordinary people working toward extraordinary goals, making daily down payments on their dreams. These “questers” included a suburban mom pursuing a wildly ambitious culinary project, a DJ producing the world’s largest symphony, a young widower completing the tasks his wife would never accomplish—and scores of others writing themselves into the record books.

The more Chris spoke with these strivers, the more he began to appreciate the direct link between questing and long-term happiness, and he was compelled to complete a comprehensive study of the phenomenon. In The Happiness of Pursuit, he reveals the secret motivations of questers, their selection criteria, the role played by friends and family, their tricks for solving logistics, and the importance of documentation. Then, Chris examines the other side. What happens after the summit is climbed, the painting hung, the endurance record broken, the at-risk community saved?

A book that challenges each of us to take control—to make our lives be about something while at the same time remaining clear-eyed about the commitment—The Happiness of Pursuit will inspire readers of every age and aspiration. It’s a playbook for making your life count.

August Book to Live By

Inspire: The Art of Living with Nature by Willow Crossley

Willow Crossley combines her passions and shows vou how to use flower-shop purchases, beachcombing bounty, home-grown harvests, and foraged hedgerow finds to decorate your home. Divided into five chapters on Woodland, Flora, Fauna, Edibles, and Beach, here are more than 50 ideas ranging from a wreath made from hydrangeas, or spring narcissi planted in wooden wine boxes, to a tabletop display incorporating gilded apples and pears. Start collecting now to move your outdoors indoors before the weather changes.

 

The Disruption Podcast

Debbie was recently featured on The Disruption Podcast! 

Topics ranged from the value of community, how to feel confident when you aren’t supported by the people around you, and why the five people you keep closest should be the most influential in your life.

Key points:

– What it means to follow your intuition

– What disrupting feels like in your body

– The pivotal moment that made Debbie start her massive career switch

– The importance of the people you surround yourself with

– The negative feedback Debbie got when she first started coaching

– What Debbies coaching business looked like in the beginning and how it evolved

– Finding and living in your purpose

– Learning how to take a compliment as a women

– The importance of creating a community

Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruption-podcast/id1664550528?i=1000616814747

July Book to Live By

Fulfilled: 52 Prescriptions for Healing, Health, and Happiness by Dr. Bernadette Anderson

Fulfilled: 52 Prescriptions for Healing, Health, and Happiness is your at-home or on-the-go personal office visit––without the co-pay! Each week Women on Fire member Dr. Bernadette asks questions, discusses symptoms and issues, then provides a “Prescription” worksheet to help you achieve healing, health, and happiness. Her life-changing tools and insights make “living the life you were born to live” your natural default.

June Book to Live By

“Matchmaking for Beginners” by Maddie Dawson

A delightful, sweet and smart summer beach read…Marnie MacGraw wants an ordinary life―a husband, kids, and a minivan in the suburbs. Then, she meets Blix, her fiancé’s great-aunt who’s dying, and everything changes―just as Blix told her it would.

When her marriage ends after two miserable weeks, Marnie is understandably shocked. She’s even more astonished to find that she’s inherited Blix’s house. She arrives in New York intending to sell the property, but discovers the hard way that love is difficult to recognize, and those who push love away are the ones who need it most.

May Book to Live By

“Women Who Spark After 50” by Aleta Norris

Do you find yourself lamenting your unrealized dreams? Are you experiencing burnout or boredom from a lifelong career?

Bestselling author and coach Aleta Norris knew she needed to reinvent something in her life. So, that’s exactly what she did. In this book, she asks the right questions to get you ready for an amazing second half. Through checklists and exercises, Aleta provides a roadmap to put your dream first after years of taking care of others.

April Book to Live By

“Only Love is Real” by Brian Weiss M.D.

This beautiful book portrays two strangers, Elizabeth and Pedro, who are unaware they have been lovers throughout centuries until fate brings them together again, demonstrating how each of us has a soul mate waiting to reunite with us.

March Book to Live By

“Wild, Beautiful and Free” by Sophfronia Scott

#1 in African American Historical Fiction on Amazon

This stunning work of fiction by award-winning author and Women on Fire member, Sophfronia Scott tells the story of Jeanette, a mixed race, escaped slave as she searches for purpose, love, and her place in the Civil War-era world. An instant BEST SELLER!

February Book to Live By

“More Thank a Bag” by Cindy Monroe

Debbie’s friend, Cindy Monroe founded Thirty-One Gifts in 2003, in the basement of her Chattanooga, TN home. It grew to be one of the largest direct sales companies of the last 20 years. In “More Than a Bag” (edited by our own Kacy Cook), Cindy shares the story of her journey and gives readers front row seats to the bumps and wins that make Thirty-One Gifts a huge success!

 

January’s Book to Live By

“The Little Mo Effect” by Pier Boutin, M.D.

High in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, walking is key to survival. With untreated club feet, a child faces a dismal future. Despite Little Mo’s struggles to walk, his magnetic charm captivated Women on Fire member, Dr. Boutin, an orthopedic surgeon.

Bringing him to the United States for treatment changed his life – and hers.