I’ve been away with the fairies of late.
(Cake decorations from my daughter’s 1st birthday cake, over 7 years ago. I’m such a sentimental hoarder!)
I mean – literally away with the fairies, or should that be vampires? 4 seasons of True Blood have been devoured over the last few weeks. We’re talking just shy of 40 hours – yep you read that right! Hardly any non-fiction reading has taken place, which is my usual night-time activity once the chaos of Chez Wright has subsided.
That’s not all. My much-loved-meal-planning has gone out the window. You may have read this post. I temporarily lost my way. Once again I have clutter in places I didn’t know existed, and my running shoes hadn’t seen the light of day for almost 2 months, until yesterday. Oh and ready-meals have been purchased – where will it end? 😉
Time to get back to reality. Less cyberspace cruising, and YouTube watching.
How many times can a girl watch this? Really?
I’m deducing that mentally I needed a break.
But like any break there’s a time when you are ready to come home.
Well that holiday is over, time to come right back down to earth.
“When goals go, meaning goes. When meaning goes, purpose goes. When purpose goes, life goes dead on our hands.” Carl Jung 1875-1961 Swiss psychiatrist.
First on the list, to get back to reading. I just finished ‘Enjoy every sandwich’ by Lee Lipsenthal and started ‘The First 20 minutes’ by Gretchen Reynolds. Moving on I’ll be downloading “The meaning of things” by AC Grayling.
There isn’t anything that motivates me as much as reading about a subject, thus extending my knowledge and questioning my beliefs. It surely is the path to self-awareness.
I’d love to know what you are reading, what you’d recommend and why. To read a book that has been enjoyed by someone else extends the experience way beyond that of your own.
So that’s the starting point. There is much more to come, which I will be sharing along the way. I’m still on the journey to a ‘family life simply done’.
It’s not a Roman road, it is not a straight path. It has bends and turns, ups and downs.
“It does not matter how slow you go, so long as you do not stop.” Confucius.
I’m retreading an old favorite of mine Living a Charmed Life by Victoria Moran. I also love The Simon Serailler mystery series by Susan Hill.
I look forward to reading the books you have listed. I’m always looking for a good book to read.
Hi Tina – thanks for the suggestions, I’ll take a look! I’d certainly recommend Lee’s book.
I’m retreading an old favorite of mine Living a Charmed Life by Victoria Moran. I also love The Simon Serailler mystery series by Susan Hill.
I look forward to reading the books you have listed. I’m always looking for a good book to read.
Hi Tina – thanks for the suggestions, I’ll take a look! I’d certainly recommend Lee’s book.
Just finished “Building Social Business: The New Kind of Capitalism That Serves Humanity’s Most Pressing Needs” by Muhammad Yunus. It is an absolutely amazing book! Highly recommend it to anyone who is concerned about a social problem, or who wants a peak into the life of this very interesting man.
Sounds fascinating … sounds my kind of book!
Just finished “Building Social Business: The New Kind of Capitalism That Serves Humanity’s Most Pressing Needs” by Muhammad Yunus. It is an absolutely amazing book! Highly recommend it to anyone who is concerned about a social problem, or who wants a peak into the life of this very interesting man.
Sounds fascinating … sounds my kind of book!
Great to get ideas for books to read! 🙂 Only read one of your list of books. Have you read Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen or Man’s Search for Meaning by Vikttor Frankl? They are quite thought provoking. If you want a page turner, Before I Go to Sleep by S J Watson is good.
Thanks Laura. I’ve almost finished Frankl’s book after reading it slowly over a few months. They have just been liberated. I’ll most certainly be taking a look n
at the others…
Which book have you read from above Graylings?
I read ‘The Reason of Things’ from Grayling. The main reason why I found the book a good read was that it challenged some of my ideas on certain ethical, religious and philosophical matters. Mind you, my views did not change, yet it was enlightening to rethink them.
I must admit my ignorance in that I had not heard of Grayling until he was featured on Jeremy Vine the other day. It was his last comment that intrigued me. When asked whether if he were on a plane destined to crash would he pray? He answered no he’d be more inclined to “look out of the window.” I’m always on the hunt for reading material that really makes me think – I’m hoping this book fits that bill!
Great to get ideas for books to read! 🙂 Only read one of your list of books. Have you read Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen or Man’s Search for Meaning by Vikttor Frankl? They are quite thought provoking. If you want a page turner, Before I Go to Sleep by S J Watson is good.
Thanks Laura. I’ve almost finished Frankl’s book after reading it slowly over a few months. They have just been liberated. I’ll most certainly be taking a look n
at the others…
Which book have you read from above Graylings?
I read ‘The Reason of Things’ from Grayling. The main reason why I found the book a good read was that it challenged some of my ideas on certain ethical, religious and philosophical matters. Mind you, my views did not change, yet it was enlightening to rethink them.
I must admit my ignorance in that I had not heard of Grayling until he was featured on Jeremy Vine the other day. It was his last comment that intrigued me. When asked whether if he were on a plane destined to crash would he pray? He answered no he’d be more inclined to “look out of the window.” I’m always on the hunt for reading material that really makes me think – I’m hoping this book fits that bill!
*sigh* Getting out of our usual rhythm and routine never feels very good – I hear you. Are you familiar with Julia Child (the American chef)? She has a wonderful quote: Everything in moderation … including moderation! I think it’s okay (good for us even!) to indulge every now and then; it always feels so good to get back on the wagon after falling off though, doesn’t it?!
Right now I am just coming to the end of reading A Very Small Farm by William Paul Winchester, an old favorite that I’ve read over and over. I’m also reading The Unschooling Unmanual by Jan Hunt, which I am enjoying much more than I thought I would (always a nice surprise when that happens!)
p.s. Love the Jung quote!
Cheers Becky. I love the Julia Chiold quote – I’ve used it a few times, and it is very sensible advice! I’d love to delve deeper into the concept of ‘unschooling’….I’m sure it would be an eye opener.
*sigh* Getting out of our usual rhythm and routine never feels very good – I hear you. Are you familiar with Julia Child (the American chef)? She has a wonderful quote: Everything in moderation … including moderation! I think it’s okay (good for us even!) to indulge every now and then; it always feels so good to get back on the wagon after falling off though, doesn’t it?!
Right now I am just coming to the end of reading A Very Small Farm by William Paul Winchester, an old favorite that I’ve read over and over. I’m also reading The Unschooling Unmanual by Jan Hunt, which I am enjoying much more than I thought I would (always a nice surprise when that happens!)
p.s. Love the Jung quote!
Cheers Becky. I love the Julia Chiold quote – I’ve used it a few times, and it is very sensible advice! I’d love to delve deeper into the concept of ‘unschooling’….I’m sure it would be an eye opener.
Glad you’re feeling better and getting your mojo back! The books look interesting. I’ve just finished A Hovel in the Hills by Elizabeth West, a real 70s back to the land, search for the simple life book, a quick read and still relevant, and about to start Wild by Jay Griffiths (“part travelogue, part call to arms and wholly original,” apparently!).
Intriguing…I’d better get googling….
Glad you’re feeling better and getting your mojo back! The books look interesting. I’ve just finished A Hovel in the Hills by Elizabeth West, a real 70s back to the land, search for the simple life book, a quick read and still relevant, and about to start Wild by Jay Griffiths (“part travelogue, part call to arms and wholly original,” apparently!).
Intriguing…I’d better get googling….
Since you want to get back to normal, I hope this means that you’re feeling better. Here’s hoping you’re back to your old routine soon.
Thank you…yes I’m starting to feel like my ole self once more!
Since you want to get back to normal, I hope this means that you’re feeling better. Here’s hoping you’re back to your old routine soon.
Thank you…yes I’m starting to feel like my ole self once more!
I always slip into an easier routine when I am too stressed by work, illness, or other “big” things. I see it as a way to recharge while keeping on going … Hope you’re getting back to yourself and recovering your energy; don’t push it though! Give yourself time. Hadn’t heard that song in the clip before; it’s VERY catchy!
The last book I read was a gift from my daughter at Christmas, and I read it during the miserable bronchial virus I had in February: “I Could Pee On That (And Other Poems by Cats)” by Francesco Marciuliano – excellent if you love cats and like to laugh ’til you weep. On the other hand, if you’re not much for the furry ones, it may just leave you cold 🙂 I have been neglecting books in favour of reading blogs the past year; they are easier to fit into my life at the moment, a bit like short stories in that respect!
The song is number 1 in the UK currently… it is very catchy!
Interesting you mention blogs, I suppose yes they are very much like short stories…sometimes I forget that! I really ought to generally read more as well as actual books be that paper or virtual.
Hope you are feeling better now – seems every second person has been hit with one thing or another this year!
I always slip into an easier routine when I am too stressed by work, illness, or other “big” things. I see it as a way to recharge while keeping on going … Hope you’re getting back to yourself and recovering your energy; don’t push it though! Give yourself time. Hadn’t heard that song in the clip before; it’s VERY catchy!
The last book I read was a gift from my daughter at Christmas, and I read it during the miserable bronchial virus I had in February: “I Could Pee On That (And Other Poems by Cats)” by Francesco Marciuliano – excellent if you love cats and like to laugh ’til you weep. On the other hand, if you’re not much for the furry ones, it may just leave you cold 🙂 I have been neglecting books in favour of reading blogs the past year; they are easier to fit into my life at the moment, a bit like short stories in that respect!
The song is number 1 in the UK currently… it is very catchy!
Interesting you mention blogs, I suppose yes they are very much like short stories…sometimes I forget that! I really ought to generally read more as well as actual books be that paper or virtual.
Hope you are feeling better now – seems every second person has been hit with one thing or another this year!