THE COMPANY I KEEP

Books, like friends, inspire us, challenge us, encourage us, remind us of our humanity, and sometimes provide a good laugh. Some of my very best friends are, and always have been, books. They are loyal companions on life’s paths, and often enough, provide a safe haven from the sometimes unpleasant realities of the world.

I believe books have the power to spark curiosity, challenge perspectives, impart wisdom, ask meaningful questions, and change lives.

The books we read, fundamentally the company we keep, are relevant because they teach us, inspire us, encourage us, motivate us, and thereby help us to know our own true potential.

The goal of this blog is to share my thoughts on what I am reading. Books stand the test of time. And I for one am better for them.

“If you want new ideas, read old books. If you want old ideas, read new books.”

—Norbert Elekes

We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons for Moving Through Change, Loss, and Disruption

Oct 13

THE COMPANY I KEEP

We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons for Moving Through Change, Loss, and Disruption

We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons for Moving Through Change, Loss, and Disruption by Kaira Jewel Lingo Was I made for these...

Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles by Rivvy Neshama

Oct 6

THE COMPANY I KEEP

Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles by Rivvy Neshama

I needed this book. After reading several very thought-provoking books in a row that challenged the way I look at my life and all but...

Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David Whyte

Sep 29

THE COMPANY I KEEP

Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David Whyte

The author dedicated this book to WORDS and their beautiful, hidden, and beckoning uncertainties. I was clearly out of my element with...

Walking with Buddha: Pilgrimage on the Shikoku 88-Temple Trail by C. W. Lockhart

Sep 22

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Walking with Buddha: Pilgrimage on the Shikoku 88-Temple Trail by C. W. Lockhart

Having read many accounts of the life-changing nature of The Camino, I have often daydreamed about what I might learn along the way if I...

Threads of Awakening: An American Woman’s Journey into Tibet’s Sacred Textile Art

Sep 15

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Threads of Awakening: An American Woman’s Journey into Tibet’s Sacred Textile Art

Several years ago, in an attempt to quiet my fidgeting and distract the constant chatter and running monologues in my mind, a dear friend...

Eat Sleep Sit: My Year at Japan’s Most Rigorous Zen Temple by Kaoru Nonomura

Sep 8

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Eat Sleep Sit: My Year at Japan’s Most Rigorous Zen Temple by Kaoru Nonomura

Have you ever gotten to the point where all you can do is close your eyes and plan your escape? When all you can think about is finding a...

Twelve by Twelve: A One-Room Cabin Off the Grid and Beyond the American Dream by William Powers

Sep 1

THE COMPANY I KEEP

Twelve by Twelve: A One-Room Cabin Off the Grid and Beyond the American Dream by William Powers

As described by the Publisher: Why would a successful American physician choose to live in a twelve-foot-by-twelve-foot cabin without...

Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker: A Humble Stumble Toward Simplicity and Grace by J. Brent Bill

Aug 12

THE COMPANY I KEEP

Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker: A Humble Stumble Toward Simplicity and Grace by J. Brent Bill

Having recently read The Barn at the End of the World: The Apprenticeship of a Quaker, Buddhist Shepherd by Mary Rose O'Reilley, I was...

The Delphic Maxims: 147 Ancient Rules for a Happy Life

Aug 5

THE COMPANY I KEEP

The Delphic Maxims: 147 Ancient Rules for a Happy Life

In a previous blog post, I was aghast at an author who sought to: Hold ancient wisdom to the test of modern psychology … Question ancient...

The Barn At The End of The World: The Apprenticeship of a Quaker, Buddhist Shepherd

Jul 29

THE COMPANY I KEEP

The Barn At The End of The World: The Apprenticeship of a Quaker, Buddhist Shepherd

I almost didn’t read this amazing book. Both on the back cover copy and again in the publisher notes, the emphasis on O’Reilley’s story...

The Happiness Hypothesis: Ten Ways to Find Happiness and Meaning in Life by Jonathan Haidt

Jul 15

THE COMPANY I KEEP

The Happiness Hypothesis: Ten Ways to Find Happiness and Meaning in Life by Jonathan Haidt

This book was filled with such potential. How could you go wrong with the promise of ten ways to find happiness and meaning in life? And...

Into The Stillness: Dialogues on Awakening Beyond Thoughts by Gary Weber PhD and Richard Doyle PhD

Jul 8

THE COMPANY I KEEP

Into The Stillness: Dialogues on Awakening Beyond Thoughts by Gary Weber PhD and Richard Doyle PhD

After reading My Grandfather's Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen last week, I was at a loss for...

My Grandfather's Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen

Jul 1

THE COMPANY I KEEP

My Grandfather's Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen

This was not the book I had planned to read this week. But after reading Almost Amish, and Living More With Less last week, it seemed...

Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life

Jun 24

THE COMPANY I KEEP

Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life

Almost Amish: One Woman's Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life by Nancy Sleeth Have you ever stopped to think, Maybe the...

To Speak for the Trees

Jun 17

THE COMPANY I KEEP

To Speak for the Trees

To Speak for the Trees: My Life's Journey from Ancient Celtic Wisdom to a Healing Vision of the Forest by Diana Beresford-Kroeger As...

The Seeker and the Monk

Jun 10

THE COMPANY I KEEP

The Seeker and the Monk

Welcome to The Company I Keep, the newest blog, and soon to be vlog on YouTube, from Pathways to Possibilities. The idea for this...