Book Recommendations – A Journey of Growth
My grandmother sent me a bible when I was fighting my cases in Cuyahoga County jail, before I received the 18 year sentence, one year after graduating from high school.
The Bible gave me the spiritual foundation I needed to elevate and evolve while going through my adversity. I instantly realized that the stories being told were about me. I was conscious that these words and messages were communication from a higher power.
In the midst of losing everything I realized that the story about Job was really about me, meaning I had to hold on to faith and persevere such as Job. I realized that Job in fact was a spirit and mentality I had to tap into in order to survive and thrive throughout my calamities and catastrophes. I read somewhere an acronym for BIBLE: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. That resonates with me. This one book teaches many principles and morals that are important for someone who not only wants to go through life but grow through life.
The first five books, out of the hundreds, Des ordered for me in prison:
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
I always understood the importance of money, even as a child. Money gives us options in life. So, when I started building my mind up, this book continued to come up as a must-read for legitimate financial literacy. I studied this book three times throughout the years. It teaches the basics of financial literacy.
Later I would study other books by Robert, including 'Cashflow Quandrant', 'Rich Dad's Guide to Investing', 'Midas Touch' with Donald Trump, 'Fake'. In the original book of Rich Dad Poor Dad there was a list of Kiyosaki's recommended readings, that list guided me from there.
2. Malcom X Autobiography as told by Alex Haley
I knew that I had to tap into Malcom's mind and spirit in order to ascend in life. Malcolm is one of the greatest spirits and minds to dwell on this Earth.
Malcolm understood the existence of a poor Black man in this rich white country. Malcolm was from the streets, just like me. Malcolm had been imprisoned, just like me. But even more importantly, Malcolm had continually metamorphose throughout life, always transmuting into a higher being. I knew that I had to elevate and evolve also. This is the only book I seen my father read as a child.
3. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Regarded as one the best self-help books, I studied this book a couple times. The Universe guided me to start studying these self-help books first. These books taught me the importance of being conscious and controlling one's thoughts. Think and Grow Rich helped me cultivate my garden.
Later the Universe brought me 'Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice' by Dennis Kimbro. He utilized Hill's principles and applied them specifically for Black people in America.
4. As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
This book is small in size, but powerful nevertheless. This title is biblical, 'For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he'. This spiritual lesson was needed. I started to understand that I'm connect to a power source that will provide and support all my thoughts. This realization made me get more prudent and serious of my thoughts.
Oxymoronically, in prison deprived of my liberty, I became aware that I control my life.
5. Visions for a Black Man by Naim Akbar
In this society I inherited as a 'Black' man, there are a lot that comes with this existence. Having this great mind and spirit of Akbar to guide me in life, especially at this critical moment of being fresh in prison, was a true blessing. The analogy I use to this day about the caterpillar metamorphosing into the butterfly, as a metaphor for how we must metamorphosis with our mind, that was a beautiful lesson taught by this man.
By studying someone's words we are literally tapping into their minds and spirits, raising to their level. It's so important to study. It's deeper than just reading, one needs to study the words, understand the message being sent.
Take notes on the word, meditate on the message. Some things you will agree with, some not. Learn what you can from the author’s mind and spirit, be enlightened. Don't be indoctrinated. Accept the Universal knowledge, be objective. Be scientific and keep studying. Synthesize their thoughts with yours.
The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know, which pushes me to keep learning.
“Books are more than just words on a page—they are a way to tap into the minds and spirits of those who have walked the path before us”
-Mario Redding
