Literature is a broad and diverse platform. It do not only offer books of fiction but also non-fiction works. There are many bibliophiles and literary enthusiasts that are experiencing personal struggles who came to literature in order to find answers and healing. Thus, this avenue turned out to be a safe haven for some and a temporary escape for others. Literature offers a handful of genres that readers may delve into, such as thriller, romance, young adult, true-crime, science fiction, memoir, poetry, and self-help.
The literary realm is not always about sparking up the imagination but also about self-improvement. That is why self-help books are present for their primary purpose is to help people. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, How to Win Friends & Influence People by Sale Carnegie, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, and Healing and Transformation: Moving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary book by Eric Alsterberg, Ph.D. — these are some great examples of self-improvement book that everybody should check out.
The world of literature is, indeed, a good place for spiritual healing and self-development. So, for those who wants to heal, find peace, and improve themselves, here are the five advantages that may convince you that self-help books can help you look for answers:
They promote self-development
The primary aim of self-help books is promoting self-development and healing. Some of these books are based from the author’s personal experiences, people’s testimonies, and thorough studies. They are not the same as fiction books that are result of the author’s imagination for they are more serious and they need proper research. Thus, these works can become your confidant, listener, and comforter. The words of wisdom and comfort that these books contain is equivalent to the advices that are given by someone close to you.
They help you live a better and happier life
Who would not want to have a better life? No one. There are many way on how to achieve a happier life depending on someone’s definition of “happier.” These measures can include but are not limited to doing well at work, earning money, buying wants and needs, starting up a business, having kids, and being carefree. In reality, those methods are not easy to execute for there are a lot of challenges and temptations along the way. However, with the help of self-help books, you can broadly and thoroughly think about the kind of “happier life” that you want and not just what you see from others. You will have a sense of purpose and you will develop your own goals in order to achieve your desires and, with that, you will start to find the path for the life that you think you deserve.
They make you understand yourself better
Self-improvement starts from self-understanding. There is no better way to achieve the growth that you have long been waiting for than knowing who you are and what are your goals in life. Self-development books are good agents of growth and learning for they contain experiences and lessons from authors that also had the same problems as you do. However, every person have different characteristics, aspirations, and dreams in life. Some are contented on what they have while others are still seeking for a greater perhaps. However, life is not a competition. That is why if your self-discovery and understanding phase is still a work in-progress, worry not! All you need to do is to continue what you are doing and comprehend every little thing that you have discovered about yourself.
They enhance your skills
Self-help books help you enhance your skills in decision-making, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. There is just so much growth that these books bring to every person that wants development, as well as healing. There may have been situations in your past that has made your life a little too difficult to handle or there may have been decision that were made poorly due to impulsiveness. However, there are still time to change these mistakes committed and decisions made. Wounds will heal eventually heal and your ability to think rationally and solve problems will gradually enhance with the help of the wisdom that self-help books bring.
They remove your worries
Sometimes people are too focus on their worries and problems that they forget to look on the brighter side of life. There are a lot of circumstances that makes everybody crumble in fear or go crazy for they can no longer get in charge of the situation. This is where self-development books come into view and slowly erase these negativities in the minds of anxious and worried people like you. Healing and answers will clear the foggy visions of reality and soon, when the time is right, growth and optimism will sprout from your end.
The Damsel’s Files 