By Kyra Oakland

Over the summer, I read Everything Is Spiritual by Rob Bell. When I was looking for my next read, the title jumped out at me. I have an extensive reading list saved in my Notes app, and this book wasn’t on it—but for some reason, it spoke to me. I took it as a sign. I ended up reading it in one day. It’s incredibly digestible, and the author’s tone feels like an easy conversation about some very deep topics.

I found his humility and personal experiences insightful. I really enjoyed his breakdowns of love, connection, and fulfillment. One quote that’s stuck with me is: “The mind thinks, the soul knows.” I repeat it to myself at least twice a day—whether I’m deciding which font to use on Canva or trying to plan which country I want to move to next.

I also love his metaphors. One that really stood out was his take on ladders. He explains that everyone has a ladder they’re trying to climb:

“In some settings it’s about loyalty, in others it’s about making money.
In others it’s about working the most hours—being the first in the parking lot in the morning and the last to leave at night.
In others it’s about production, efficiency, or upholding the reputation of the institution.
In others it’s about pleasing the right people or chasing the numbers.
Ladders come in all shapes and sizes.

Which brings us to the problem with ladders: very few of us ever took a class that taught us how to know—is this ladder even leaning up against the right building?”

That hit me hard. It’s so relatable. Sometimes I get so caught up in the chase that I forget what the point of it all is. In the day-to-day grind, the bigger picture can easily get lost.

Another part of the book that stayed with me was his discussion of connection, love, and the core of our human nature—relationships.

“Where does this drive come from? It comes from within.

This power, this force that has kept the universe moving forward for 13 billion years—causing things to unite, to form, to evolve—comes from deep within the universe itself.

It’s the most basic nature of reality: to unite, to come together, to make something new, to move beyond itself, to keep going.

Have you ever heard someone say all that matters are relationships? Well, yes.
But it’s even better than that—matter is relationships.”

I love that perspective. It reminds me that the need for connection isn’t just human—it’s universal.

And lastly, he reminded me that with pain comes growth. So much damn growth.

“There’s a mystery here—how the universe could be such an expansive place that the events we initially experience as heartbreaking and tragic could, given enough time, open us up and make us bigger, more loving, more grounded people.”

This book brought me a real sense of calm and peace. It’s the kind of self-help book that doesn’t make you feel like shit for being where you are—it simply invites you to expand. To cultivate more relationships. To keep moving toward connection.

It made me want to travel, meet more people, and hopefully leave them a little happier than when I found them.

Simply yours, Ky