| Dear John, Today I’m finishing up a new writing project. I’m transforming my “Self Care Cards” deck into an updated version of helpful, healing messages so I’m sharing a blog I wrote last year about one of my favorite things – books. If you love to read, you’ll definitely want to watch the video I mention below. For the Love of Books My friend Bruce is a great guy – smart, funny, and someone who always knows just what to say when you need a friend. We met years ago when I was a guest on a popular radio show he produced in Boston. It was one of those meetings when you know in your gut that you’ve been reunited with a soul family member. Bruce recently sent me a video that I knew I wanted to share with you the moment I finished watching it. It’s called: How to Read More Books in the Golden Age of Content by Max Joseph, and if you love books as much as I do, you’ll want to watch this video. How to Read More Books in the Golden Age of Content is about the love affair many of us have with books. It’s also about maximizing your ability to read (and enjoy!) more books during your lifetime. As you watch the story unfold, there’s a good chance you’ll be a bit gobsmacked by what you discover. Not to mention the fact that Max takes you on a journey to some of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. I love books. I always have. I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember. Right now, I have five books on my nightstand and at least ten more on a bookshelf nearby ready to replace those I finish. To me, reading transports me to other worlds and into the minds of great thinkers. It’s also a pastime that inspires me to stop and reflect on my life. When I finished watching Max’s video, I suddenly thought about the books by my bed in a very different way. If I have a limited number of books left to read during my lifetime, I realized, I better make sure I’m choosing wisely. Whether it be a sensual love story, an intellectual romp through the workings of the brain, or a personal account of courage and transformation, I love to lose myself in books. When I’m done reading, I want to be smarter, touched in a meaningful way, entertained, or left feeling more courageous and enlightened. What I don’t want is to take my love of reading for granted. Thanks to Max’s video, I have no interest in wasting precious time reading stuff that leaves me feeling intellectually or spiritually malnourished – whether it be books, social media posts, emails, or blogs. And if I get bogged down after 20 or 30 pages of a new book and lose interest, I’d rather give the book away. I want to fill my life with as much soul food as I can during my remaining years. So, pour yourself a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and enjoy Max’s video. And do let me know what you think! You can find it here. Ok, I’m off to finish writing and then do a little reading… Love,
Cheryl P.S. – If you’re looking for a book that explores the important changes that happen at midlife, I invite you to check out my memoir, Waking Up in Winter: In Search of What Really Matters at Midlife. The journey starts in autumn and takes you on an inner adventure that continues through spring. You can find it here. You can now find the Touch of Grace button at the bottom of our homepage at: cherylrichardson.com. | 