Tag: bookman meditations

friday’s “secret”: planned, designed, or allowed

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“Everything is planned, designed, or allowed”

– Huberto M. Rasi

I must say that I kind of took offense to this statement when I first read it.  I doubted its validity. But the truth is that in more cases than not, everything that happens to us, is planned, designed, or allowed, by us or by someone else.  We tend to play the blame game. It’s easier.  Nothing is our fault and I was a master at this game for a long time and sometimes, I still manage to hold my own on occasion.

But my Hubby, God love him, pointed out that the common denominator in all my scenarios and affronts was me!  My issues involved many different types of people, many different actions, but I was the common thread.  Yes, it was sobering to realize that I had more control over my life then I once realized.  It was scary to understand that I had the power to change things in my life and the things that happened to me (IE no time to read because I spent way too much time brainlessly watching television or playing Candy Crush) is because I made the decision by allowing it to happen and not actively planning or designing something different.

The more I go through this life, the more I feel strongly that the “secret” to a happy life is the intentional choice.  Because, believe it or not, “everything is planned, designed, or allowed.”

til tomorrow, enjoy life

I can’t believe that I have been posting for 26 days straight for the October Challenge #write31days.  I’ve been discussing my love of books and reading. Catch up on the rest of the series.

shout out to the librarians

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Shout out to Librarians

from @TigersLibrarian

Seriously, librarians are the best! When I was trying to remember the name of one of my favorite books that I borrowed over and over from the Lincolnton library in North Carolina as a child (about 22 years ago), I called that library.  Elaine answered.  I described the book with the picture that was on the cover and with a little digging she found it: Indian Captive by Lois Lenski. I now own a very beat-up copy of one of my favorite books.  Thank you Elaine!

And thanks to all the librarians out there.

til tomorrow, enjoy life

Catch up on the rest of this series: This Bookman: Meditations & Miscellany

how can i read more books?

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To Kill a Mockingbird

So, the Great American Read Finale aired last night and America’s Favorite Book is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  I must confess that I have started it a few times but have not finished it.  But since it is America’s Favorite Book, I guess I must! There were many selections on the list that I have not read yet and I would really like to devote some of the Holidays and some of 2019 to tackling those picks.

To that end, the last Link List of this series, This Bookman: Meditations & Miscellany is devoted to finding ways to make more time to engage in reading.  Modern Mrs. Darcy was kind enough to give us her tips on how she finds time to read. And Charles Chu wrote a post that went viral about and entitled, The Simple Truth Behind Reading 200 Books a Year.

At this point in my life, I am averaging around 35 books per year.  I have already reached my goal of 38 books this year and will undoubtedly add more before the year is out.  A part of me wants to read 100 books in 2019 and according to Chu is very possible. Doing his math, I would need 208 hours to read 100 books.  That seems like a lot.  However, per the stats on my iPhone, during the past 7 days I have spent 12 hours playing Candy Crush and other assorted games. Kind of puts it into perspective, doesn’t it? If I read instead of playing Candy Crush, I would knock out 100 books in 4 months. Hmm!  I just don’t know if I’m ready to commit to that though. What do you guys think I should do?

What about you? What would be the most books you would want to read next year?

til tomorrow, enjoy life

Catch up on the rest of this series.