The Bloganuary writing prompt of the day is “Has a book changed your life?” I would say no, but one did have an influence on me and my view of work and retirement and it was called “The Joy of Not Working” by Ernie J Zelinski. It was a good reminder about looking for joy in many stages of life.
I gave this book to a friend who I was worried would never retire or didn’t exactly have a plan for retirement. I don’t get the impression he ever read it. If so it didn’t trigger any conversations about that part of life.
But what it did for me was made me look at retirement differently and with much more desire and interest. It helped change and form a new perspective.
I’ve gotten a few books in the last year and I’m still making my way through them. Again time for reading for pleasure at this stage of life isn’t that available. But I have enjoyed a few books on photography that my children got me and they have inspired some good ideas and challenges.
I always liked bookstores. My better half is a very avid reader of books. So that is a gift that is always appreciated by her. I’m an avid reader, just not many books for pleasure. Used to read a ton of technical manuals but those days are behind me now so I probably will be reading a lot into my retirement.
So I guess a more simple answer would have been a short “no” but that would be wrong because I know there is one out there and I will find it. Or maybe I did find it in that one and haven’t fully explored its potential yet. Time will tell.
Now my Daily Dilbert or FarSide Desk Calendar has changed my life because it starts the day with laughter.
One more thought. A book that would change my life is the one I hope to write someday.
You know that load of bricks we all carry around? I felt my load getting a bit heavy today so time to shed a few. I might just sit the sack down and rest like I did earlier today. And before I get back up I’m going to assess that sack again and pull a few out. I could use some bricks anyway because my chimney needs work.
But that emotional baggage we carry around isn’t good. So I’m trying to drop that also and it feels great. But some are hard to shed and take time. Sometimes it feels like you’re hauling a building of bricks all day.
When I was young and dumber, I didn’t even question the number of bricks. If they belonged or not. If they were someone else’s. But with age sometimes wisdom comes along.
Random Thoughts of the Day
- Try not sleeping well for a long period of time to really appreciate what a good night’s sleep feels like. Or just take my word for it.
- I’m beginning to understand why my parents had magnifying glasses around the house.
- Funny how people make some really brutal threats totally not knowing who they are threatening. And then it really gets funny.
- Reading is fun, writing is better, and taking a photo that inspires my words and others to read it is what I hope I can make others can find fun in reading.
