A Simple Fix
You all know how basically all of the internet-related things like search engines, social media, and even shopping platforms zero in on your interests? I know, sometimes it gets so specific that you could swear there are microphones everywhere channeling your every word back to Silicon Valley, or worse, that Jeff Bezos or someone in his orbit has embedded a sensor in your brain! I have checked and there are no scars behind my ears, but I am not so sure that my phone is innocent of listening even when I have set it not to. Anyhow, the internet has noticed that I am back to reading again, so it keeps showing me things about books and the benefits of reading. The other day it showed me something that basically blamed the breakdown of society on the lack of book-reading nowadays. I think it is certainly a factor.
The reason I specify bookreading is that of course, when we scroll through social media, we read some, but short little captions and statements do not stimulate and feed the intellect the same as longer texts do. While there are pithy quotes and short poems that pack a lot into a few words, it generally takes several pages to develop complex ideas and expressions. And while I would applaud basically any actual reading (as opposed to grazing), it is not much help to your brain if you basically read the same thing over and over. Right now I am stuck on a mystery series of, I think, twelve books. They are great and entertaining, and the main character is an archeologist, so I am learning a little about that, too, but I am finding that once I start on the next book in the series, I can barely remember the main plot line in the last. The stories are very entertaining, but nothing in them is hooking into my brain or soul the way some books can. It is painless, effortless reading, but like exercise, reading needs to involve a little effort and possibly discomfort to effectively grow our minds.
On the other hand, I am back trying to finish the readthe- Bible-in-a-year program I abruptly stopped a little over a year ago, right at the good part (the New Testament) was starting. The Bible is a challenging read most days and definitely hooks deep into your brain and your heart, even if you are not a believer. Also underway on the not-light-reading shelf are a book of Vincent Van Gogh’s letters and a history of Mary, Queen of Scots…maybe others. I tend to have several books in progress the same as I do with artsy-crafty projects.
Do yourself (and society) a favor and if you are not already reading books; read a book! And then another and another. If reading makes you fall asleep, try audiobooks while you are busy working or driving. If you cannot afford or do not want to invest money into this reading venture, go to the library, right there across from the courthouse. Once you get a library card, you can get e-books and audiobooks through an app on your phone if you want. It is so very easy to get started or re-started reading. Your heart, soul, and mind—and larger society—will thank you.
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