The Mel Robbins Podcast episode explores three impactful books and how they shaped Robbins' perspective. She delves into the daily wisdom found in Mark Nepo's "The Book of Awakening," a collection of meditations offering solace through life's challenges.
Robbins also shares how immersing herself in the fantasy world of "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series reignited her creative passion and highlights research linking fantasy genres to enhanced creativity. Additionally, the episode touches on John Grisham's journey from rejected writer to bestselling legal thriller author, inspiring Robbins to stay open-minded about unexpected paths in life's journey.
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Mel Robbins shares the profound impact of Mark Nepo's "The Book of Awakening." This book offers concise, daily meditations organized by date, providing accessible wisdom and hope through life's challenges, as Robbins highlights.
Nepo penned the book after a near-death experience with cancer in his 30s. Robbins is moved by Nepo's grappling with mortality and resilience, finding solace in his words during her own difficulties. She enthusiastically recommends gifting this book to express care and companionship for loved ones.
Robbins describes her love for the engrossing fantasy romance series "A Court of Thorn and Roses" (ACOTAR). The vivid, dramatic audio version immersed her family, strengthening bonds through shared fascination.
Robbins credits the series for reigniting her creative writing aspirations after discussing it passionately with her daughters. She highlights research linking fantasy genres to enhanced creativity, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills.
Despite struggles in law school, Robbins says author John Grisham's journey—from rejected novelist to legal thriller bestseller—inspired optimism. She realized a law degree allows diverse paths, encouraging her to stay open-minded about her future.
Robbins stresses viewing each experience as an "opportunity," part of life's journey. She likens challenges to "universe nudges" guiding individuals toward their true callings, as exemplified by Grisham's pivots en route to success.
1-Page Summary
Mel Robbins shares the profound impact certain non-fiction books have had on her life, providing not just knowledge but also wisdom, courage, and a sense of connection during pivotal moments.
Mel Robbins relates her experience with Mark Nepo’s "The Book of Awakening," which she has been reading since 2016. This book offers short, daily meditations that are easily digestible, making it an accessible companion in times of need. Robbins emphasizes its concise format and timeliness, with pages organized by date, allowing readers to find guidance for the specific day of the year.
Robbins is particularly moved by the backstory of Nepo’s book, which he wrote after surviving a cancer scare that brought him near death in his 30s. Through his writing, Nepo grapples with the current state of his existence and what’s possible, providing hope and guidance. Robbins finds inspiration in Nepo's confrontation with mortality and his found resilience and meaning, helping ...
Influential Non-fiction Books That Changed the Speaker's Life
Mel Robbins celebrates the captivating world of a fictional book series that not only brought her family closer but also reignited her creative aspirations.
Robbins shares her love for the "A Court of Thorn and Roses" series, referred to as ACOTAR, a fantasy series that includes elements of romance and what she terms as sexy fantasy. She recounts how the series brought her closer to her daughters, who recommended it to her, leading to a shared fascination.
The impact of the series was magnified for Robbins by the dramatic audio version, which she compares to a cinematic experience right in one's ears, complete with actors and sound effects. The audio experience, gripping and transformative, includes acted-out scenes that are so vivid it made her blush. Robbins's husband, Chris, also became engrossed in the series by listening to the complete dramatic audio.
Robbins illustrates how discussions about the series strengthened her bond with her daughters and became a family obsession. The series not only provided a means of escape to a fantastical realm but also inspired Robbins to delve into creative writing herself. She recalls brainstorming a book idea with her daughters during a vacation 10 years prior, and acknowledges that the Thorn & Roses series rek ...
Captivating Fictional/Fantasy Book Series That Sparked Creativity
Mel Robbins discusses how discovering author John Grisham's path from law to bestseller status helped her stay optimistic despite failures, allowing her to remain open-minded about her own future.
Robbins reflects on her time in law school, feeling like she had railroaded herself into the wrong profession. However, learning about John Grisham, a lawyer who turned to writing fiction, inspired her. Despite Grisham's initial lack of success—with his first novel "A Time to Kill" rejected by 28 publishers—he persisted and achieved bestseller status. Grisham's story resonated with Robbins, who realized that a law degree doesn't confine one to a set career path—it can lead to unexpected and fulfilling destinations.
Robbins talks about the importance of viewing each life experience, regardless of success or apparent failure, as a stepping stone leading to a bigger path. Like Grisham, who started in one career and found his passion and success in another, Robbins felt inspired to believe every step in her life was leading to something else, even if it wasn’t immediately clear. She used the narrative of Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" as an example—how it mirrors Santiago's journey in search of treasure, paralleling how incremental progress, despite setbacks, can culminate in success.
Mel Robbins elaborates on how to interpret rejections and disappointments as "universe nudges" suggesting that you may be destined for something other than what you originally planned. She talks about Grisham's earlier life failures and c ...
Embracing New Possibilities and Not Being Stuck
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