Momma gave me this book to read. She says she gave a copy to both my brother and me. It's called "Your Best Life Now," and it is having a postive effect on me in spite of itself.
The book is filled with stuff about how God wants you to be really awesome, but you're messing everything up by being less-than-awesome. He tells stories of how he lives with the belief that he has the 'favor of God' and it helps him get good jobs and sweet parking spots (the sweet parking spot story is actually in the book. I could have made it up, but I didn't have to).
Now I'm all for being happy, but can't helping feeling like I'm cheating myself by saying "Well, everything's gonna be ok, 'cause God is trying to make awesome stuff happen to me." I'm not using this post to debate the existance of God, I just don't think he's wrapped up in whether or not I get a good parking spot.
I don't really buy it, but I can't really muster the strength to fight against it. If people believe that God 'wants to increase you financially,' is that so bad? Maybe not. If religion helps you feel happier and do better things and get off the drugs and move off of the street, cool. Keep it up. Just realize that it's not for everyone. I appreciate you praying for my soul, but it probably won't make me show up on Sundays.
I'm trying to see the book for what it says that's not about God. Maybe thinking positively will help you focus on happier things. Getting up and doing something will open more door than doing nothing. Good things (along with bad) happen to everyone, and you have a choice in which ones you think about more.
Since I've started reading the book, I've been doing more. I've made little changes to what I do. The TV isn't on the entire time I'm home. I make it a point to leave my studio to do things, I bring the laptop and do work outside. I'm trying to make the most out of living here, instead of waiting for something to happen.
I feel like it's more about self-motivation than religion. I think the book wants me to say, "I'm not serving the God the right way if I stay at home. I should go do something."
Instead, I'm thinking: "Dude, if nutjobs like this author can make it big, I can doing something wrong."
I think that's what I need. I just need to remind myself to do stuff. I can do so much more than I do, I just get lazy then stuck. Maybe just reading more of any kind of book would help. Maybe books that have a little more meat to them would make me do even more than this book has.
Either way, the book's kind of a success. I'm off my ass, doing more, and getting myself tired enough to get a better sleep. Don't buy the book, though. Just borrow it from me.