Danielle LaPorte

I’ve been on a real self improvement kick lately, and I’ve been lucky to pick up some phenomenal books. I read this one right after finishing Martha Beck’s “Finding Your Way In a Wild New World”, which I adored. Danielle LaPorte had some big shoes to fill, and boy, did she ever!

Danielle’s wisdom, advice, and expertise is immensely approachable. It feels like having coffee with a wise girlfriend, someone who’s more than willing to share her experiences, give you her time freely, show more and ask for nothing in return. Not everyone is willing to mentor; I’ve recently had a few experiences that helped me recognize how few people are willing to share their “secrets” with others. In The Fire Starter Sessions Danielle LaPorte shares everything she knows about being successful in business and in life, and it’s so refreshing to hear her perspective.

Honest, upfront, and occasionally lighthearted, this book is both a guidebook for being a creative entrepreneur and a deeply resonant jumpstart to help you find your inner truth. The book is also chock full of meaningful and genuinely helpful exercises that help you connect your heartfelt beliefs with the messages Danielle communicates in each section.

I highlighted so many paragraphs as I read! Every few pages something made me sit up and take notice. This one’s definitely going on my permanent keeper shelf. show less

It's like she read my mind and said, "Rita, I got you." If you're a control freak and perfectionist seeking spiritual freedom but you find yourself being just as perfectionistic and rigid with your mode of liberation, this is the book for you. When you practice yoga and meditation to be less neurotic only to realize you've become neurotic about your practice, this book is for you. She is witty. She is real. She is fun. And she helps lighten everything back up by being honest, authentic, and show more making you laugh. show less

Having fairly recently gone through a pretty significant spiritual awakening, I'm embracing aspects of my spirituality that are quite new (and exciting) to me. So in light of that, reading Danielle LaPorte's take on modern spiritual growth was at times both relevatory and squirm-inducing. Much of the time I wasn't sure if she was cheering me on or shaming me for grabbing on to the tools, techniques, and methodologies she seems to approach with so much eye-rolling. (I sure do love me my show more crystals and tarot cards!)

But having said that, I found so much to love between the pages of this very beautiful book. (And let's talk about that for a minute; the hardcover is striking in every way - from the blazing white cover to the gorgeous typography within.) LaPorte doesn't shy away from difficult topics, and she doesn't worry about how her opinions will be perceived by others, which is something I greatly admire. She pulls no punches, and openly shares her experiences and beliefs as though opening her heart to a girlfriend over coffee.

I appreciated the insights into some of her tougher moments, as well as her intimate stories of self-discovery and personal growth. Although there's much in this book I agreed with, there were a few chapters and some concepts that didn't resonate with me at all. (For example, the self-loathing thing... she seems to think everyone hates themselves. For a moment there, I felt like I was missing out because I don't -- nor have I ever!) And no, I'm not getting rid of my crystals because I fear some energy-sucking-psychopath invading my home through my precious stones.

Overall, this was an interesting take on the topics of self-help and spirituality. I'd recommend it with the usual caveat I give when I suggest reading these types of books: "take what works for you and leave the rest". show less

As always, I loved Danielle LaPorte's unique blend of wisdom, insight, poetry and spiritual guidance. Whenever I read one of her books I come away feeling as though someone really gets me. I'm inspired, motivated, and I walk away with at least a handful of major "a-ha!" moments.

Her take on goal-setting is both practical and "woo-woo", realistic and dream-based. I love the blend of spirituality and practicality (because it's very much what I do, and how I live my life), so everything about show more this process resonated with me.

LaPorte's approach is so much more meaningful than making yet another handful of New Year's Resolutions, or choosing goals that everyone else is setting because it's the trendy thing to do. I was craving a method for goal-setting that would lead to feeling accomplished, empowered and centered to my authentic self -- and I got that in spades. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a more grounded, heart-centred approach to setting goals, and more importantly, to achieving them. show less