“The mind is the forerunner of all experience.”

• The Buddha

For one deeply depressed, agoraphobic woman with the unusual name of Byron Katie, four simple questions (posed to her stressful thoughts) have made all the difference. They are:

1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought?

She contends that these straightforward questions can transform your approach to almost any seemingly unworkable situation. The San José Public Library audio book, Your Inner Awakening (a 6-CD set) by Byron Katie allows you to sit in on her fascinating method of self-inquiry -- one that has subsequently benefited both her and many people throughout the world.

Take a page from Socrates and further your quest for self-knowledge with the library's wealth of audio books! Its easier than you think: all nonfiction titles can be requested and sent to any branch, simply with your library card and PIN.

If you're not familiar with the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, you may think this is a book just for business managers but this program works best when it's applied to all areas of life. Each of the seven habits is described in this book, using examples from both the work world and home life. If you're getting ready for the new year and want to make this the year you get organized and get things done, without working every minute of every day, this is the book for you.

 The Secret by Rhonda Byrne is best described as a big gift containing many gifts inside.  As the reader unfolds each present he/she discovers the secret of money, relationships, health, happiness, but most importantly the secret of oneself.  A must read for everyone wanting to make a positive change in their life.

Want to break away from old ways of negative thinking? Do you want to live your life to the fullest with a fresh new perspective?

Try reading this insightful book,  Excuses begone! : how to change lifelong, self-defeating thinking habits  by Dwayne W. Dyer.