Our blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
I Forgot to Die
On a gorgeous California afternoon, my mom and I explored the swanky Malibu Country Mart. After shopping and too much swiping, we stopped at SunLife Organics to grab açaí bowls. Displayed by the register was a book written by the owner, Khalil Rafati. It was his jaw-dropping memoir of being a homeless heroin addict to a self-made multi-millionaire.
In I Forgot to Die, Khalil Rafati delivers a raw and harrowing memoir that charts his descent into addiction, his struggle for survival, and his eventual path to recovery. The book is an unflinching look at the extremes of self-destruction as Rafati recounts his years of drug addiction, homelessness, and near-death experiences. Through vivid storytelling, he pulls readers into his chaotic world of heroin overdoses, reckless behavior, and a profound sense of hopelessness.
Rafati’s words motivated me to turn my life around and forge a new path.
But Rafati’s memoir is not just about despair—it is a testament to the power of resilience and transformation. He recounts his unlikely journey to sobriety, detailing the pivotal moments and relationships that helped him heal. What sets this memoir apart is the honesty with which Rafati shares his internal battles, from his darkest moments to his eventual awakening.
I Forgot to Die is a compelling, poignant, and uplifting story of redemption. It’s not just a tale for those battling addiction or mental health issues but for anyone grappling with life’s struggles. Rafati’s message is clear: no matter how far you fall, it’s never too late to change. Rafati’s words motivated me to push past the darkest moments of my depression, find the light, and ultimately turn my life around to forge a new path.
The Untethered Soul
Battling multiple mental health challenges, I’m constantly searching for new ways to quiet the noise in my mind. It often feels like a troupe of circus monkeys on an acid trip are in charge up there, creating a whirlwind of chaos, wild energy, and relentless mental exhaustion.
In The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer offers a profound exploration of the mind, consciousness, and the nature of true freedom. Drawing from spiritual traditions and modern psychological insights, Singer guides readers on a journey of self-awareness and inner peace, encouraging them to observe their thoughts and emotions without attachment. He examines the inherent value of realizing that we are not our thoughts and that the voice in our head is more of a “roommate,” creating unhelpful narratives that should be ignored.
Singer’s powerful teachings taught me that I am not my thoughts.
Singer’s simple yet powerful approach to complex ideas makes The Untethered Soul so impactful. The book is structured around accessible concepts, offering practical advice on how to quiet the mind, release past hurts, and embrace the present moment with openness and compassion.
I have applied Singer’s techniques to my own life, and almost magically, the monkeys have stopped screeching. His powerful teachings transformed the way I think and, most importantly, how I understand that I am not my thoughts. When going through difficult phases of my life, I re-read specific passages, reminding myself the crazy monkies should be ignored.
The Power of Now
Shortly after I was fired from my job this past year, my anxiety became unmanageable. I worried about the next six months and could not make everyday decisions. I was paralyzed by fear because I no longer knew what my future looked like. Grabbing my library card, I stumbled upon a book that taught me that I should only be worrying about one specific time—this moment.
In The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle presents a transformative guide to spiritual awakening. He urges readers to transcend the constant noise of the mind and embrace the present moment. He emphasizes the importance of living fully in the “now,” where true peace and enlightenment reside.
Tolle teaches that we can break free from the mental prison we often create for ourselves.
Tolle’s writing is clear, reflective, and deeply calming, offering a step-by-step approach to overcoming the mental patterns that perpetuate stress and anxiety. He teaches that we can break free from the mental prison we often create for ourselves by observing our thoughts without identifying with them.
The book remains a powerful invitation to release attachment to the past and future and, instead, embrace the present moment as the key to lasting happiness. The strategies and teachings outlined greatly impacted my life, learning that when the anxiety of the future starts to build, I can ignore it and instead focus on my present.
The stories and tools outlined in these three books have genuinely changed my life. I believe they can impact everyone’s existence by teaching never to say die, observing your thoughts, and living free.
