The best books about courage and the way of the heart

Anna Cley Author Of The Journey of the Heart
By Anna Cley

Who am I?

A few years ago, I asked my friends, family, and colleagues how they would describe me in three words. To my surprise, the word that kept coming back was “courage”. I was not sure what they meant then. I always felt that if I denied the calling in my heart, then I would die inside. I believe that to make the world a happier and better place, it starts with every one of us working toward our own happiness. It turns out the word “courage” originates its meaning in the Latin word “Cor” (heart). It all makes sense, doesn’t it? That’s why the journey of the heart (some would call it courage) matters so much to me.

I wrote...

The Journey of the Heart

By Anna Cley

Book cover of The Journey of the Heart

What is my book about?

A philosophical tale of courage, freedom, and love. From floating boxes to lifesaving riddles to an enlightened mirror, The Journey of the Heart is a magical tale of two souls who are courageously determined to find a better fate than the one they were born into. Along the way, they learn that their past does not determine their future, and the heart is the best guide of all.

Celebrating the universal statement that our own truth is the best treasure of all, The Journey of the Heart is a beautiful reminder that no matter into what circumstances we’re born, our future is ours to write. Authored and illustrated by transformative artist Anna Cley, The Journey of the Heart inspires children and adults alike to look beyond their own circumstances and bravely seek what they rightfully deserve—happiness, fulfillment, and, of course, love.

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The Books I Picked & Why

The Little Prince

By Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Richard Howard

Book cover of The Little Prince

Why this book?

As a little girl, I found myself time and again in The Little Prince’s journey. The courageous and caring prince coming from the stars kept opening his big heart. His genuine curiosity never ceased. I felt comforted and nurtured by the caring friendship between the young prince and the pilot. Once an adult, I discovered a wisdom and depth that I didn’t fathom as a child. A universal and ageless tale, The Little Prince addresses profound topics (love, death, difference, origin) with simplicity and poetry. No matter how many times I read it, it still makes me cry. In fact, it is the very reason I wrote The Journey of the Heart: with hopes to bring light into people’s worlds, the same way The Little Prince carried light into mine.

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The Alchemist

By Paulo Coelho

Book cover of The Alchemist

Why this book?

I did not fall in love right away with The Alchemist. In fact, it took a good ten years between the first and the second time I read it to fully resonate with me. I needed to follow my own “personal legend” to begin with. It takes courage to remove the layers of our limiting beliefs and of our expectations. Yet, the greatest treasures await: enlightenment, personal growth, and state of flow. When I read the book again, I had chills. Just like Santiago, I knew to listen to my heart and recognize the signs. Just like him, I had been challenged and doubtful. Just like him, I knew to trust my intuition. But I had forgotten about my own journey. Reading The Alchemist was a beautiful reminder. The Alchemist in two simple words becomes “I remember.”

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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

By Charlie Mackesy

Book cover of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Why this book?

Shortly after we became friends, I received this book as a gift from the man who is now my husband and the father of my son. At the crossroads of poetry, art, and life wisdom, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is beyond categorization, combining depth, beauty, and simplicity.  That’s why it is, to me, such a powerful and moving book. The four unlikely friends are on a journey, like the prince, the pilot, and Santiago. They share with minimal words about the language of the heart: love and self-love, forgiveness, and the courage to ask for help. The book, beautifully illustrated, embodies courage for conveying onto its pages, the vulnerability and naked truth of the author. 

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TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking

By Chris Anderson

Book cover of TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking

Why this book?

Fun fact: public speaking ranks number 1 among human beings’ fears. Before death, heights, or any wild animal. Speaking in public exposes us to shame, failure, boredom, opposition, and so on. And with everything being recorded nowadays, there’s a great chance to leave indelible evidence of our performance somewhere. But regardless of their fear, millions of people want to share their ideas on stage. How to overcome this fear? With preparation. Lots of preparation, lots of patience, and the courage to ask for feedback, question ourselves, and edit our talk at will. Chris Anderson’s TED Talks is a brilliant resource. To anyone who wants to share a meaningful and impactful message, whether through speaking or writing, I can only recommend giving this book a go. It’s changed the way I write and introduce myself. Cherry on the cake: it’s really fun reading! 

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Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One

By Joe Dispenza

Book cover of Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One

Why this book?

I picked this book at a time I wanted to reboot my own brain. For years, I’ve been obsessed with the question of breaking patterns. The fact is that we tend to put ourselves in similar situations to the ones in which we grow up. Those who suffered abuse or abandonment go from being a victim as a child to being a victim as an adult too. But there is no fatality. We can learn to change our deep beliefs and transform our reality. Joe Dispenza’s approach revolves around quantum physics applied to the mind, and transcendental meditations to rewire the brain. Becoming aware of our own patterns and questioning our belief system takes heart and determination, but it really pays off to do the work. Nothing is ever written in stone, and no matter where we’re from, we can always create something new.

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