As I reflect on turning 38 years old last week, I think about how much I have gained in wisdom and how much I have truly forgotten in life. Forgotten as in, irrelevant information? Suppressed memories? Or lost in the void due to too many other things running through my mind at once – also known as motherhood or could also blame always working two jobs at a time?
There are, however, some things that have stuck with me, in my mind and thoughts I’ve developed as mantras…? Or shall I call them truths? Truths about life, yes that sounds good. Truths about life.
Now that I have come to realize these truths, I’ll only share one at a time and elaborate on them a bit as I go. I might get soap-box-like or preachy and others are welcome to disagree.
Here we go – Read Banned Books.
#1 Truth I know about life… “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
Indeed, the more that you read, the more you know. Read everything. Get out of your bubble and read political opinions from the other side of the spectrum (that’s an eye-opener) and read the books your school administrators told you not to (makes you wonder what they are trying to keep from you).
Read newspapers, magazines, poetry, novellas, fiction, biographies, and atlases. Use a book to escape, to withdraw from the world, to hide. Fill your head with knowledge, run off to ancient lands, and get swept up in a love story or forbidden friendship. Imagine the ruins, the Vikings, the Celts, the mountains and hills that saw blood spill all over them. Get inside the minds of world leaders, of athletes, of musicians. Find the motivation, the what, the if, the when, the why, and the how.
The fun thing about reading a book is if you like it, you can read it again and discover details you missed the first time around. If you don’t like the book, you can put it down and pick up another. It’s better than TV, it’s a theatre of the mind!
A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.
–Neil Gaiman
The smartest people in the world are the most well-read. Those banned books are ones they have read. And there are people who don’t read very much at all. Who would you rather be like?
We used to have the Seuss quote on the playroom wall. So true.
I just love reading and learning. I do alot of reading. Almost every day really. It is a good way to use our mind. They say the brain is a muscle and I want to exercise mine. Thank you for sharing this great information
Read on Linda! What is your current book on the go?
Totally agree!! This idea of sharing 38 things you’ve learned is great. I’ll be turning 38 at the end of the year and I think I should do something similar, I also have learned one or two things thru my life 😉
YAY! It’s all wisdom, right?
OMG I LOVE your shirt! Where’d you get it?
YAY for books! BTW I completely agree … “Indeed, the more that you read, the more than you know. Read everything.”
I really loved reading this post and inspired me to read. I use to read alot until my pregnancy but now I don’t find time to read a Book. I should definitely get back to reading more
I find I lack time to red whole books too – what’s with kids requiring so much time and energy (LOL)!. I have recently gotten into reading magazine features. There are some good ones out there!
Reading so important. But, I feel that especially as a woman it is even MORE important. Great post!
Thanks! The future is female 😉
I love reading on my spare time which has becoming scarce nowadays with my schedule but I make sure that my children reads. As Dr Seuss quote’s says “The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go”. So true!
Exactly!
I have loved reading for as long as I can remember and try to instill this in my kids. While my daughter loves it, my son….that’s a totally different story!
Thanks! The important take away is that you try.
Cheers Momma!
yes yes!!I love love LOVE that this promotes reading and books. what an amazing program that i hope everyone joins. reading is everything
thanks!