Sunday, December 18, 2016

One is Not the Loneliest Number

Our culture glorifies romance. Movies, music and books insist that happiness can only be found in romantic relationships. A great relationship has many benefits but by desperately seeking one, many people end up compromising themselves and accepting a relationship that brings them more misery than happiness. In a bad relationship, people bring out the absolute worst in each other and it's hard to like yourself when you are constantly on your worst behavior. Some people even seem to think that hitting each other with frying pans indicates passion.  I once read this quote, "A bad marriage makes you lose your fear of death." Ouch. That's life changing. If given the choice between a lousy relationship and being alone, most people are too terrified to make a change. But although growth and transformation can seem daunting and painful, the results will more than compensate.
Solitude is often mistaken for loneliness but it is necessary if we ever want to know ourselves. Being alone let's us hear ourselves think. It allows us to remember who we really are and what we want without the influence and expectations of others. Being alone helps us to become more confident, capable and independent.
As Einstein said, "Be a loner. That gives you time to wonder, to search for the truth...make your life worth living."


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Save the Books

As I write these thoughts for people to read online, I am hoping that electronic devices never cause the extinction of books. You know, paper and ink. I especially love hardcovers. I'm in love with books, period. I read my favorites so many times I can quote them; The Hobbitt, Fablehaven, Great Expectations and reference of all kinds including nature or travel books loaded with photos that allow us to experience every thing the world has to offer from a park bench. As a kid, I read the encyclopedia from A to Z and a dictionary that almost outweighed me. And before I could crack the magical code, my long-suffering sister read to me. I would wiggle with intolerable anticipation while waiting to see the dog party in "Go, Dog. Go!"
And then came that ingenius invention, the bookstore cafe'. When I walk into Barnes and Noble I'm immediately intoxicated by the combined scents of books, coffee and baking cookies. I never want to leave! No wonder you find people sleeping in the armchairs. Maybe they are being educated by osmosis.  Do you think they would notice if I brought in a cot and my cats?
Books look beautiful in a room, they feel good to hold and did I mention the smell? There are many advantages to the new paperless world but if books ever become extinct, please bury me with the last one!