<![CDATA[MISMA COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES - Books

<![CDATA[MISMA COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES - Books - self]]>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:38:37 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Making Time for Personal Growth]]>Sun, 20 Aug 2017 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.mismacounsellingservice.com/books---self/7-top-books-for-personal-developmentPersonal Growth & Lifelong Learning

Abraham Maslow’s concept of self-actualisation reminds us that we all have an innate drive to grow, develop, and fulfil our potential. His well-known Hierarchy of Needs shows that growth happens step by step, and that self-actualisation — “becoming everything one is capable of becoming” — is about living authentically, staying connected to our feelings, and engaging fully with life.

For me, personal development is a lifelong journey. Reading self-help and personal growth books helps me keep my skills sharp, nurture my mindset, and stay aligned with my goals. I see it as topping up my own cup so I can pour into the lives of others. Alongside CPD and professional training, reading remains one of the most accessible and nourishing ways I continue to learn, grow, and inspire others.

My Bookshelf - Stories & Ideas That Shapes Me

Every so often, I come across a book that leaves a lasting mark — shifting how I see the world, how I connect with others, and even how I live my life.

Some are about self-growth, others about resilience and human spirit. All of them, in their own way, have helped me grow as a person and as a therapist.

1. Brain Power – Karl Albrecht
My first-ever self-development book, gifted by a dear friend years ago — and I still have it. This book introduces six thinking skills to help you become more adaptable, creative, and effective in problem-solving. I recently re-read it and found new, practical tips, especially from Chapter 12, which I’m using to work on changing habits.

" Habit is habit, and not to be thrown out the window by any may, but rather, coaxed down the stairs one step at a time" - Mark Twain

2.The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do and How to Change – Charles Duhigg
This insightful book explores the science behind our habits — how they are formed, why they persist, and how they can be changed. Duhigg presents compelling stories and research showing that once we understand the habit loop (cue, routine, reward), we can begin to reshape our behaviours in both personal and professional life.

I found this book eye-opening, especially in recognising how small changes in daily routines can lead to lasting transformation. It’s a reminder that habits are not destiny — they’re patterns we can consciously rewire.

" I know what I want, I have a goal, an opinion, I have a religion and love. Let me be myself and then I am satisfied. I know that I’m a woman, a woman with inward strength and plenty of courage" -
Anne Frank

3. The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank
While not a traditional personal development book, this is one that profoundly shaped my outlook on life. Anne’s courage, honesty, and resilience taught me the true meaning of bravery and the belief that all people deserve to live in freedom, regardless of race or religion.

Written in the voice of a 13-year-old girl hiding with her family during World War II, the diary begins with moments of hope before gradually revealing the harsh reality of their situation. It’s a powerful reminder of human dignity in the face of fear, and it has stayed with me ever since I first read it.

4. Lion: A Long Way Home – Saroo Brierley
A deeply moving and inspiring true story of survival, resilience, and the power of the human spirit. At just five years old, Saroo was lost thousands of miles from home in India. Against all odds, he found his family again twenty-five years later.

This memoir is a testament to hope, determination, and never giving up on what truly matters. It’s a reminder that even in the most impossible circumstances, perseverance can lead us home.

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" - Proverbs 17:22 (Holy Bible)

5. Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender – Dr David R. Hawkins
This book offers a powerful yet gentle approach to releasing the inner blocks that keep us from peace and happiness. Dr. Hawkins explains how surrendering—rather than resisting—our emotions can free us from patterns of stress, fear, and limitation.

Reading this reminded me that healing often comes not from pushing harder, but from allowing and accepting. The concept of “letting go” is simple yet deeply transformative, and I’ve found it invaluable in both my personal life and my work with clients. For healing and clarity.

6. The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem – Nathaniel Branden
This book is a cornerstone for understanding and building healthy self-esteem. Nathaniel Branden outlines six daily practices—pillars—that support self-worth, including living consciously, self-acceptance, and personal integrity.

It helped me see self-esteem not as a vague feeling, but as something we actively nurture through our choices and actions. I often draw on these principles in therapy, as they offer a clear, practical path for developing confidence and self-respect.

“Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a commitment.” - Gary Chapman

7. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts – Gary D. Chapman
A dear friend reminded me about this book recently, and I realised I’d had it for years—tucked away on my shelf, a gift from someone special. I picked it up again and was quickly reminded why it’s such an essential read.

Falling in love can feel effortless, but staying in love—that’s the true challenge. This book explores five distinct “love languages” that shape how we give and receive love. Learning to recognise and speak your partner’s love language can transform not only romantic relationships, but also the way you connect with friends, family, and colleagues.
It’s powerful, practical, and eye-opening—knowledge that can truly improve all your relationships.

]]><![CDATA[How Reading Habit Can Improve Your Wellbeing.]]>Thu, 03 Aug 2017 15:07:05 GMThttps://www.mismacounsellingservice.com/books---self/how-reading-habit-can-improve-your-wellbeingThe Top 7 Benefits of Reading.

The habit of reading is one of the traits that we can boast. We live only one life, but with books we can gain knowledge and wisdom from thousands of lives.

Reading is not only for students or professionals. It is a way of enjoying informative, creative, and inspiring works of literature that cultivate and enrich your life experiences.

Reading doesn't just improve your knowledge, it can help fight depression, make you more confident and empathetic. It can also encourage positive thinking and better decision making. Researches suggest that reading for pleasure can help prevent conditions such as stress, depression and dementia.

Yet, despite all the benefits to mind, body, and society, plenty of people find it hard to sit down and start reading. It seems that we just don't have time to read more. We have work and family commitments; we have our mobile phone ringing and social media notifications to check.

Here's how your brain and body benefit when you crack open a book.

Photo: Google Images

1. Books are the best nootropic
It is a well known fact that books are good for your brain. Regular reading improves your mind, leaving you some lifetime benefits. Some studies have shown that if you are constantly stimulating your mind, you slow the progress of mental diseases such as Alzheimer's and Dementia, since you keeping your brain active and engaged prevents it from losing power. Just like other muscles in your body, the brain requires exercise to keep it strong and healthy. Doing puzzles and playing games such as chess have also have been found to be helpful with cognitive stimulation.

Photo: Google Images

2. Reading books improves your mental operating system.
The best books are usually written when an author is in the flow state - the state of mind where everything seems to fit together and work perfectly. An author conveys their wisdom and knowledge into a book, and then the reader absorbs this wisdom through the words, thus getting into their own flow of understanding and develop your own sense of meaning.

Everything you read fills your head with new information and your mind gets to a higher level. Reading enhances your mental operating system; such as your speaking, writing, communications and thinking skills, and not only these skills get cultivated but they also run faster as reading becomes your habit.

The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you are to tackle any challenge you may face. Additionally, a bit of food for thought: whenever you are in desperate circumstances, remember that although you might lose everything else - your job, your possessions, your money, even your health - knowledge can never be taken from you.

Photo: Google images

3. Enrich your vocabulary
Drawing from my own experience, reading books is also vital for learning new languages. As a non-native English speaker, reading English books and the exposure to words used in different contexts has enriched my English vocabulary extremely.

I remembered when I first time came to the UK, my vocabulary was limited, I often asked my friends the meaning of the words as I didn't understand and had been lost in translation. It made my life harder at that time to blend in with the locals and I felt embarrassed to keep asking them the questions. Then it made me felt isolated.

I then decided to read often and looked up the dictionary or thesaurus if I didn't understand the words. It became my habit. Now, I manage to read English books, non-fiction books or even academic journals for my studying.

The more I read, the more words I am exposed to. These words inevitably become my everyday vocabulary.

Being articulate and well-spoken is a bonus in many professions. It also boosts your self-confidence and self-esteem, knowing that you can communicate to your employers and with your colleagues or peers with confidence. It can help to boost your career at work as studies show that those who are well-read, well-spoken, and knowledgeable on a variety of topics tend to get promotions more quickly and more often than those with small vocabulary and lack of awareness of literature, scientific breakthroughs and global events.

Photo: Google Images

4. Reading can melt away stress.
Eric Hoffer (1898-1983) an American moral and social Philosopher, once quoted "A man by himself is in bad company". And this is true, you can change this - by reading books you are not alone - you create company for yourself.

Snuggling up with a good read tamps down levels of unhealthy stress hormones such as cortisol. In a British study, participants engaged in an anxiety-provoking activity and then either read for a few minutes, listened to music, or played video games. The stress levels of those who read dropped 67%, which was a more significant dip than in the other groups.

Photo: Google Images

5. Reading improve empathy.
Stories provide life-changing perspective, say York University researchers. Getting wrapped up in the lives of characters strengthens your ability to understand others’ feelings. Reading has huge power to make you see things from another person's point of view. Reading about people different to you, for example who come from another culture or background, can help you understand their perspective. Seeing the world through the eyes of Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice, for example, may make it easier for you to relate to your sisters viewpoint.

Photo: Google Images

6. Reading can encourage life goals.
Reading about someone who overcomes challenges and difficulties may promote your motivation to meet your own goals. If you’d like a pay raise, following a character into the boss’s office may give you the courage to make the same request. The more you identify with a character and experience the events as if they were happening to you, the more likely you’ll be to take action.

Some studies suggest that when you identify with characters in a book, you experience a kind of real-life relationship that can enhance your sense of inclusion.

Photo: Google Images

7. Tranquility
In addition to the relaxation that accompanies reading a good book, it's possible that the subject you read about can bring about immense inner peace and tranquility. Reading spiritual books can lower blood pressure and bring about an immense sense of calm, while reading self-help books has shown to help people with certain mood disorder and mild mental illness.

Reading teaches us to be patient and calm, and increases our ability to focus on a single thing at a time.

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