Investing In Paper

      I really enjoy books. No, I devour books. If I ever find a good book you will not find me on this planet for a few hours; because I'll be in a world made up of pages, words, and letters. A good story will captavate me and not let me go without a feeling of regret until I find out how that story ends. When that story's tale has run its course, I can finally breath easy knowing that those contained inside that book have finished their plight. All that to say, books are my favorite means of "entertainment." Why? I'll let Joseph Conrad explain, "One writes only half the book; the other half is with the reader." There is an enchanting quality in a book that envelopes your mind and your mind's imagination. When you read of the world contained on a page it expands to the horizons of your mind and takes on a vivid life. You see it as clearly as if you could touch it, yet there is a distant feeling that won't quite leave your side. You might laugh or even cry at the struggles the characters encounter. The story captures your heart and leaves your mind lingering on it when it has long been put back on the shelf. You were there when it seemed as if there was no escape and when they laid down to rest, you let out an easy breath knowing that they would make it to the end. You were there. 

      Whenever I find a good book I go on a journey. It is just an experience that is not worth passing up.  But it must not be taken as just a journey. Like my brother says, "books change you." That is why I don't take books lightly. They matter. And books either make you better or worse. They remind me that when you "entertain" yourself you are planting seeds. Seeds of change. Don't believe me? Think about the last time you imitated a movie or TV show. . . yeah about two hours ago right? Yes I'm guilty too. They effect us in ways that are to big to understand and ways that are too small to see. I--all too often--forget that when I journey through the world made of paper my mind is drinking it in like a man who just escaped from a vast desert. I am taking it to heart. Accepting it as my own. But is it my own? Should I accept it? More importantly: should I let it? Sometimes yes, oftentimes no. Either way it usually does. So just remember that when you do something you are investing your time, and mind, in it. By spending time doing something you are (by default) giving it value. Just remember that. When you watch a movie five times you are saying, loud and clear, "this matters to me!!" When you elapse into a book you are saying "this is how valuable I think my time is." Just remember that. We are all guilty. But, we all can become innocent. Just turn it off, or put it down, and show someone that they matter to you. By spending time with them. Believe me. You will be speaking loud and clear saying something that will last. You are simply saying "I love you."

~TDH

* Disclaimer: this is about good books/movies. Bad books/movies usually are the opposite.*