Okay- as grandparents we have spent countless hours reading Goodnight Moon and so many other children’s stories to our beautiful grandchildren- yes?! Absolutely! So, here’s a little something for you, the grandparents, to enjoy just for yourself when you find that quiet time. And, remember how easy it is to listen to audio books now, so throw on your favorite read and go out for a walk if weather permits, or snuggle up by the fire. You’ll be getting the best of relaxation and YOU-time.

ON MINDFULNESS-
‘Wherever You Go, There You Are’ by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Whether you’re new to mindfulness or need a refresher, this book is an excellent primer of how you can apply mindfulness to your life to help you feel more present as you go through your day. “Kabat-Zinn is well known in the modern-day mindfulness world, as he is viewed as the guru and founder of what we know to be mindfulness today. His book explores the core value of concentration, and that can help any beginner along their journey.”

ON INSPIRATION AND LIFE-
The Gifts of Imperfection: 10th Anniversary Edition: Features a new foreword and brand-new tools by Brené Brown

For over a decade, Brené Brown has found a special place in our hearts as a gifted mapmaker and a fellow traveler. She is both a social scientist and a kitchen-table friend whom you can always count on to tell the truth, make you laugh, and, on occasion, cry with you. And what’s now become a movement all started with The Gifts of Imperfection, which has sold more than two million copies in thirty-five different languages across the globe.

What transforms this book from words on a page to effective daily practices are the ten guideposts to wholehearted living. The guideposts not only help us understand the practices that will allow us to change our lives and families, they also walk us through the unattainable and sabotaging expectations that get in the way.

Brené writes, “This book is an invitation to join a wholehearted revolution. A small, quiet, grassroots movement that starts with each of us saying, ‘My story matters because I matter.’ Revolution might sound a little dramatic, but in this world, choosing authenticity and worthiness is an absolute act of resistance.”

ON AGING-
How to Grow Old, Cicero

People have contemplated what it means to grow old for as long as human beings have considered their place in the world and the potential of an afterlife. Written by Cicero in 44 BCE and translated for a modern audience by Philip Freeman, How to Grow Old: Ancient Wisdom for the Second Half of Life is surprisingly timely, featuring insights into maintaining vitality, health, and intellect as you age. You may find it comforting that millions before you have contemplated these issues and that some of the world’s greatest minds have sought comfort in Cicero’s simple guide.

ON LOVE AND KINDNESS-
Deep Kindness, by Houston Kraft

We live in a world that is often stressful, anxiety-inducing, and lonely. To this end, Houston Kraft suggests that practicing kindness is a key step to healing the human race, one person at a time. We love how Kraft’s book doesn’t simply rely on overused platitudes (e.g. “Let’s all be kind!”). Rather, he mixes in relatable anecdotes with actionable steps. By doing this, he details a grounded and feasible approach to changing our lives, and those of others. In short, Kraft focuses on pragmatic kindness – not abstract ideals.