Looking at 50

I have accomplished one of my goals for this year. Some people encouraged and inspired me through it, while one or more made fun of me for it or thought it was weird. I chose to listen to the positive majority.

The goal was to read 50 books. But just because I can cross it off doesn't mean I'm done for the year. I'm still going to keep on reading and learning, and in the  meantime cross off other goals and challenges I made for this year. I think the sparkle of the Autumn sun and the beautiful shades of the leaves distract us from the near future of the holiday season and the end of the year. I'm just trying to enjoy this season, my favorite season that brings along comfort, food, family time, slower rays and pumpkins and a time to process and reflect more. And of course these days bring about more time to stay inside and enjoy a good book.

I've learned through reading more that I'm more productive and have more creativity and inspiration. I encompass another world that brings about ideas, characters and story lines that I couldn't have imagined or created in my own. I also notice that reading (good) books enhances interesting conversations and helps with conversation starters. Reading has kept up my interests and passions and has allowed me to bring them everywhere I go (I always bring a book with me in case I have time to kill). Ultimately, I have learned a lot about various topics, people and ideas that have become important and of interest to me. Though the value isn't so much of the quantity of books, but rather the quality. Reading inspires, uplifts and energizes me. I hope to continue to read inspirational and thought provoking, turn pager books throughout this Fall.