I have loved to read since I was a kid. Amazingly enough all of my siblings are readers as well. That is just one of the many things I inherited from Mother Fran. I used to read mystery novels and the occasional romance novel. When my family gathers together, it is not uncommon for each of us to have a book in hand. Reading gives you something to do, when you only have a few minutes, when you are bored and when you are relaxing overlooking the lake.
I remember the summer after my sophomore year of college. I was so sick of reading what other people told me to read that I was determined to read what I deemed important. I read a lot of the classics that year as well as plenty of books for entertainment. I kept a journal of the books I read and although I don’t document in it anymore, I am pretty sure I know where to find it. That journal has survived one downsizing after another; that tells me it is important to me.
I spent a lot of time thinking that year and then I started reading non-fiction and blogs to help me figure a few things out. I read books about frugality, getting out of debt and investing. I devoured blogs about early retirement, saving money and personal development. I read enough books about health and nutrition that a few years later I became a Certified Health Coach! I was at a point in my life when I was dissatisfied, and I was ready to do something about it. Being unhappy can be frustrating but it can also be the catalyst for positive change.
In October, I went for my annual eye exam and my doctor recommended I get new glasses and stop using my Dollar Store readers. I of courses didn’t listen and when I arrived at Mother Fran’s in November, my vision was giving me trouble. Everything was blurry and I would get headaches within minutes of attempting to read. I took the prescription and ordered glasses online. While I was waiting for them to arrive, I decided to finally start using my NYC Public Library account. OMG, I discovered audio books and I may never go back to reading the written word again!
Since mid-November, I have listened to 16 books and counting. I am not a techno gal, so I don’t have cool ear buds or a state-of-the-art Kindle. I listen on my sisters old iPad with my speakers plugged in. It is frustrating because I can’t really take all of this on my walks, so I only listen at home, but I am still loving the experience. Once I suck it up and buy earbuds, I will be able to listen while I do yardwork and that will make work even more enjoyable.
I tend to take notes while I read and keep valuable tidbits of information on my Google Keep Page. Here are a few notes I have jotted down from my recent books:
- There is a hormone (that I had never heard of) called Aldosterone that keeps our potassium and sodium in balance. Learning this makes me wonder if my Aldosterone levels are out of whack and that is what causes my weird symptoms. This has been added to my list of what to discuss with my doctor.
- Inaction comes at a cost; it is not free…
- Start before you are ready
- Not making a decision is making a decision
When we read, we learn, we question, we grow, and we evolve. Never stop reading!
Choose Happiness! Lake Girl
