Since late 2015, I have read 67 books. About half were self-improvement and the other half classics. That is a rough average of 26 books per year. I have grown immensely and have had my paradigm shifted, challenged and turned inside out in more ways than I can count. More than anything, I have learned that I don't know much about anything. The more I read, the more I realize how much I don't know.
My life before great books was dull, and my mindset closed off. I'm so grateful that I fell in love with reading rich classics and became addicted to self-education and personal improvement. Not only has my life been bettered, but every life I touch. My children's lives have been completely altered and the path our family was on shifted in the best possible way. Through my excitement and passion for education and deep discussion, my husband has been inspired as well and has followed in my footsteps. He listens to just about every audiobook I finish and has learned to pursue his own interests and personal course of study.
"How do you have time to read??"
I like to talk about what I'm reading, whether in person or on social media. I get asked this question a LOT, especially by my girlfriends who are raising young children. When I began reading books, it didn't happen because I suddenly had more leisure time on my hands. In fact, I had much less. I was working from home full-time trying to get a business off the ground, caring for 3 children-including one with demanding physical needs-and just beginning to homeschool our two oldest. (Oh, and did I mention living with a painful chronic illness?)
It was BECAUSE I had so much riding on me that I knew I needed to be able to give the very best version of myself! I needed to learn about better parenting, effective time management, what education actually is, and how to inspire my children to WANT to learn.
In his memoir, Education of a Wandering Man, Louis L'Amour put it best;
"Often I hear people say they do not have time to read. That's absolute nonsense. In the one year during which I kept record, I read twenty-five books while waiting for people. In offices, applying for jobs, waiting to see a dentist, waiting in a restaurant for friends, many such places. I read on buses, trains, and planes. If one really wants to learn, one has to decide what is important. Spending an evening on the town? Attending a ball game? Or learning something that will be with you your life long?"
And I will add, scrolling mindlessly through a social media feed? Thumbing through trashy magazines in a doctor's office? Binging on shallow entertainment on Netflix? (Yeah, I went THERE!)
I could go on and on with mind-numbing activities that consume our precious time, but you get the point.
I am totally guilty of these distractions. I constantly have to take inventory of how I spend my time. Sometimes I actually do find it difficult to actually sit down and READ a book, so you will find me with one earbud in, listening to audiobooks while cleaning, folding laundry, or preparing meals. When we drive anywhere there is often an audiobook going.
What a cool resource!! Back in the day, if you wanted to be read to, you'd have to hire someone to do it. ("Read to me Alfred.")
We hold in our hands a treasure trove of knowledge. Most classics are FREE on Kindle, PDF, Librivox, or YouTube. Right now, you are probably holding thousands of great books in the palm of your hand! (and we all know it is still in your hands while you are sitting on the toilet! You know I'm right!!)
My point is, if it is important enough to you, you find time for it. If you want to start a new habit, piggy-back it onto something you already do regularly. (Like pooping!)
There is a lot of information coming at us every day. Seek out good, principled knowledge over modern entertainment. You will be amazed at how your mind will open and light up. When you are constantly learning, life becomes rich and exciting. Soon, you will learn to discern between books that contain truth and wisdom and those that are mere "twaddle". (twaddle: trivial or foolish speech or writing; nonsense.)
My friends, what we put into our minds and what sinks into our hearts and penetrates our souls is directly correlated to our attitudes, thoughts, and actions. That is all we get to take with us from this mortal existence! Let it be deep and rich and transformative. Let us learn from the greatest humans that ever lived. Let our minds continuously be stirred, our thoughts challenged, and our hearts transformed! Now go forth and READ!
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