I realized recently that it’s been a long time since I did a good old fashioned book review! Reading for inspiration is one of my favorite pastimes. I truly gain so much wisdom and insight from reading about how other people approach and manage life.

In honor of our exciting event happening next Friday, I decided to do a two for one book breakdown, with two of my favorite books, by two of my favorite people: Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle and the not yet released (April 9) Wolfpack by Abby Wambach.

Love Warrior is one of those books that I reread every so often to see what my soul picks up and to give my heart loving reminders. It’s truly beautiful from beginning to end. Glennon’s wisdom is pure gold, and you can feel her vulnerability and truth jumping from the page. In this blog, let me break down some of my favorite lessons, but I definitely recommend reading (and rereading it) in its entirety.

• Perhaps one of the most often quoted quips from Glennon’s book, “We can do hard things” has been a game changing mantra for me. Just today I was having a conversation with my mom about some difficulties we have been working through. She looked at me and said, “Remember, Glennon was right, we can do hard things.” This is always a reminder that life may be tough, but we are capable of working our way through it, and it’s okay if it’s messy!
• I’ve long admired the way Glennon approaches and practices love. Her words always seem to resonate, but this quote from Love Warrior made me breathe a sigh of relief and repeat a quiet yes in my mind while reading it. I think of it often: “The only meaningful thing we can offer one another is love. Not advice, not questions about our choices, not suggestions for the future, just love.” I think we tend to over complicate how we have to approach love, when truly our presence will always suffice.”
• One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from Glennon is to be unapologetically yourself, and don’t be afraid to look messy while doing it. This line from her book spoke to me deeply, and as someone who is pursuing some new creative endeavors, it’s encouraging to hear these words: “If you feel something calling you to dance or write or paint or sing, please refuse to worry about whether you’re good enough. Just do it. Be generous. Offer a gift to the world that no one else can offer: yourself.”

Wolfpack is the newest release from the soccer legend and ultimate inspiration, Abby Wambach. We were lucky to receive an advanced copy ahead of our exciting Be the Change event happening next week. This book is beautiful in that it calls out to women, yearning to be seen, heard, and understood. It gives them digestible lessons that can be easily put to practice in daily life. Plus, she sets forth eight new life rules for women to live by to help us be the leader that we are all meant to be!

• Given that the book is called Wolfpack, it was fascinating and inspiring for me to read Abby’s take on women becoming the pack of wolves that will lead, unify, and change the world. Historically, wolves have been shown to be an important part of nature’s ecosystem, and that without them things begin to crumble. In a very ineloquent and brief summary, Abby compares women, in their power, strength, courage, and tenacity, to wolves, and it’s a beautiful thing.
• Like I stated above, Abby outlines eight Wolfpack rules, but one that struck me in particular was about gratitude. For years I’ve written and written and written on gratitude. Be grateful for what you have, and more will come, I’d often say. I now prefer Abby’s take: “Be grateful for what you have, AND demand what you deserve.” I think humans, and in particular women, tend to have a tough time asking for what we want, and we get frustrated when life falls short. Abby’s reassurance that we can be grateful and ambitious brings forth a beautiful life balance that will benefit us all.
• My other favorite Wolfpack rule is: “Lead now–from wherever you are“. I probably don’t need to say much here, but it’s so inspiring to see these words, and feel deeply that we all can be leaders. We all can take on that role, right now. We don’t have to have credentials, awards, or acclaim to be a leader. We just need to own who we are fully and have confidence in our own unique places in the world. Thank you, Abby for this gift!

I hope these beautiful lessons have inspired you to give these amazing books a read, and if you do, I’d love to hear what you think!

xo, Michelle