CHECK IT OUT:

Daily stresses, careers, traffic congestion and financial worries all take their toll on the human body and psyche.

Calming influences and words of wisdom from popular and esoteric authors can have a positive effect.

Here are just a few of the most recent titles whose authors, with widely differing viewpoints, try to impart their visions of peace and spiritual tranquillity and their methods for achieving it.

“How Did I Get So Busy?: The 28-Day Plan to Free Your Time, Reclaim Your Schedule, and Reconnect with What Matters Most” by Valorie Burton: Time crunches and busyness may mask problems other than scheduling. This title makes the connection between self-management, procrastination and effectiveness. Good, solid advice for setting personal priorities while enjoying every day.

“What on Earth Have I Done?: Stories, Observations, and Affirmations” by Robert Fulghum: Best known from his book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” Fulghum offers his sage, grandfatherly essays tempered with homey inspirational thoughts and positive ruminations on personal attributes, attitudes and traveling. This is cozy and comforting for a winter’s night.

“Your Altar: Creating a Sacred Space for Prayer and Meditation” by Sandra Kynes: Domestic altar spaces are a new development in home meditation areas. Learn how to assemble and personalize for your belief system using such varied styles as Buddhist, astrological, or archangel dedications, to name a few. Numerology also takes a significant role in many altar-building techniques. The ideas presented range from a few candles on a table to large furniture pieces.

“Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don’t” by Michael J. Losier: Find success through psychological, forward-looking self-actualization when following this internationally-known trainer and seminar leader/author’s three-step program. A frequent guest on Oprah Winfrey’s and Friends talk satellite radio program, Losier’s assistance may prove beneficial.

“Psychic Children: Revealing the Intuitive Gifts and Hidden Abilities of Boys and Girls” by Sylvia Browne with Lindsay Harrison: Do kids have psychic powers? Clairvoyant and multi-published author Browne certainly thinks so, claiming a genetic predisposition from her grandmother and mother and a proven inheritance in her son, Chris. Discover the latent potential in your children.

“The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Destiny” by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood: When one defines one’s priorities, it becomes easier to pinpoint goals and focus desires. The Attwoods label this process as discovering passion and highlight its importance in fulfilling each person’s life dream. Follow their process and take the test!

“The Astonishing Power of Emotions: Let Your Feelings Be Your Guide” [channeled] by Ester and Jerry Hicks: When Ester Hicks channels the spirit called Abraham, Jerry Hicks records the message. This latest testament showcases the importance of emotions in our lives. Luckily, these New York Times bestselling authors transcribed Abraham’s pronouncements just in time for this title to hit the lists.

CHECK IT OUT is written by staff at the Newport Beach Public Library. Use your Newport Beach Public Library card to reserve these titles at www.newportbeachlibrary.org or call (949) 717-3800 and press 2.