The books that I list are not here because I wholeheartedly agree with everything in them, but are ones that I have found to be helpful in cultivating healthy personhood and healthy relationships.

 

When I first began to be mindful of wrestling with an understanding of the world around me, I consciously embraced the principle of GLEANING. I committed to actively pursue gleaning from others—authors, friends, family, mentors—receiving what I deemed to be helpful, and feeling comfortable leaving behind what I did not.    

 

I am okay with learning from those with whom I may disagree, and then actively processing in community until concepts are either internalized or set aside. And I actually believe that we limit our growth when we are not able to sit around the table (both literally and metaphorically) with those who see the world differently than we do.  

 

That said, I've found each of these books to be pretty darn helpful.