Take a Break

With so much negativity in the world, I think I'll write about some things I love. Of course, I love God, my family, and my country; you'll see those themes woven throughout my posts. There are, however, some mundane things that make life so enjoyable. For example, my first and greatest love is books. When we travel, one of the first things we do is find a book store. I'm not talking about a giant chain store filled with bestsellers, but rather a small, independent store specializing in used volumes. I'm an orderly person; therefore, I do appreciate booksellers that take the time to sort by genre and author. This sacrifice of their time saves me from sorting through trashy paperbacks (yes, I'm a hardcover snob) trying to find a treasure. Three things fostered my love of books: my parents and grandparents were avid readers, we didn't watch TV during the week, and I was an independent child. I grew up reading everything from The Black Stallion to The Hobbit, from Nancy Drew to Agatha Christie. My favorite book discovery was my first copy of The Hobbit. I found it in a bookstore owned by a friend of my mom. The first magical line captured me as an 11-year-old; I devoured it. From that moment on, reading was my comfort food.

My second favorite thing is music. I took piano lessons until high school, the main focus was classical music. I had my favorites, Beethoven still stands out. Listening to his music transports you into a story. One moment melancholy and tragic until suddenly a majestic wave of intensity breaks, sweeping you into a triumphant march. I didn't understand the emotions, but I knew what I liked. Another favorite was Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev. I had each "animal" sound memorized and still get chills when I hear the "wolf" approaching. I can't wait to introduce it to my grandkids. Lest you think me pretentious, I also love classic rock. Depending on my mood, you'll likely hear Stevie Nicks, Boston, or occasionally Rush blaring from my Jeep.

My final favorite thing is nature. Actually, sitting by the water with a book and Beethoven's 9th Symphony playing in the background might be my definition of heaven. I love to be outdoors (unless it's summer in Florida). When I walk along the shore, I immediately sense a release of stress that is almost physical, like a burden falling from my shoulders. It's a tremendous feeling. Walking through a forest, imagining what it was like centuries before, I can visualize myself as the first to experience it. The birdsong, fresh scent, verdant green, the scurrying of creatures in the underbrush all combine to bring me great joy.

I believe that it is vital during times like these to remember the things which bring us joy and to indulge ourselves just a bit. Today I am going to read a vintage book, watch Peter and the Wolf with my grandson and spend a few moments by the pond. God is good. He has blessed us with so much beauty and inspiration that we often forget to appreciate. What brings you joy, how will you incorporate that into your life?

"Music, drawing, books, invention, and exercise will be so many resources to you against ennui"

Thomas Jefferson