A Tribe Called Bliss by Lori Harder is first up on my October reading list.
I was introduced to Lori about a year ago through her Earn Your Happy podcast. She has such positive energy! There was not doubt…I had to read her book!
A Tribe Called Bliss is a guide to helping women reach their fullest potential by making true connections with other like-minded women. Sounds simple, right? Not so fast. This takes time and planning. How do you even get started?
Lori often talks about the importance of strong relationships where you can openly share personal and professional struggles. A place where you feel supported and heard without judgement. When you read her book, you get that message from beginning to end. You will read personal examples of how her own tribe has been the source of motivation. When you reflect on tribe discussion topics it isn’t hard to imagine the encouragement a small group of women can provide to help you stay engaged with your personal goals.
With a mission to help her readers and listeners “earn their happy,” Lori’s book focuses on a ‘new way’ of connecting with yourself and others.
Within a tribe you should benefit from a bond that offers positivity and the conviction that you can reach your goals and dreams with the support other women.
The book is broken down into three main sections: building your community, exploring sacred agreements for your tribe, and an individual self-help section on “belonging”. The sections, divided into short chapters, aim to help you discover the value of these relationships along with a clear roadmap to develop a strong and sustainable tribe of women.
Lori draws heavily on her own life experiences throughout the book. The fact that her examples are both personal and professional really helped me connect with her. After all, forming a tribe can feel intimidating. What if I get rejected? I’m in my 50’s. Are women my age even interested in starting new friendships and pursuing new goals? Do I want people that I know well, or those I barely know? What will we talk about? I have to admit, I didn’t fully appreciate the importance of thoughtful planning as you begin your relationship. How you prepare in advance can mean the difference between a group that meets and quickly fizzles, and a bond between women that can last a decade. Lori helps guide your first meetings with a series of topics that include self discovery (soul assignments) and tribe discussions that build on those personal reflections.
While there are many topics and recommendations that self-help junkies will recognize, approaching these topics with a tribe brings a whole new perspective.
Let me be honest, the book is fully intended to be shared with a tribe. However, Lori has written it in a way that allows the individual reader to complete “soul assignments” as a form of self reflection. Why is this important? Perhaps you are not ready to recruit a tribe. Perhaps, like me, you need some time to plan before you begin yet want to feel prepared for the commitment. Or perhaps you are hoping to use her examples for discussions with important people in your life.
In all of these scenarios, yes, you will still benefit from this book. More importantly, you will be introduced to a thought leader who speaks from the heart and encourages you to unapologetically strive for the happiness you deserve.
Wishing you Bliss.
Best,
Donna
