Enjoying a Passion for Reading

Do you have a passion for reading? If so, there is a little book that can aid in your personal introspection concerning your positive habit of reading. The book is I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel. When I saw the title, I had to agree most of the time I would rather be reading. Anne Bogel is an writer and a passionate reader. She writes a blog -- Modern Mrs. Darcy inspired by a Jane Austen book. She also has a podcast entitled, What Should I Read Next? She definitely models a passion for reading with her life.

Her book covers many topics and has important insights into the reading life. Even starting in the Introduction I appreciated how she presented questions for readers to think through such as “When you turn to the written word, what are you looking for? What Themes speak to you? What sort of places do you want to vicariously visit? What types of characters do you enjoy meeting on the page?” These are important questions that can guide our selection of new reading options. She makes a good point that in our reading life it is important to think through questions that impact our reading habits.

I will touch on just a few of many points in the book that stood out to me. One of the most thought provoking sections was her thoughts on how books “find us”. She shared stories of several of her more memorable books she read and how those books came into her life. At the end of that chapter she closes with, “I’ve learned that sometimes, despite my best efforts, a book expectantly finds me and not the other way around. And when it does, it’s okay to reshuffle my To Be Read list and go with it.” I thought through in my life, books I have stumbled upon just at the time I needed them. I believe it is God in His mysterious way knowing what books are often best for us at the right time.

Another thought she brings out is how books help us see life through the lives of others. They open our eyes to new places. That thought took me back to my early reading years in my elementary school days in the small town of Barberton, Ohio. Books opened my mind to the larger world around me and to the diversity of people in the world. Part of my interest in traveling today I believe came about because of my early reading.

I fully agree with her thought that books shape who we are, “As a devoted reader, I know what it means for books to shape you – the person you are and the person you were then.” Various authors have had an impact on my life strengthening my beliefs and values. Books have helped shape my career trajectory of going into people helping professions of counseling and teaching.

I have just touched on a few ideas of many I found interesting in Anne’s book, I’d Rather Be Reading. It is a book that should be in the home of every passionate reader. Her thoughts will help inspire you to be deeper reader and a promoter of reading.

Reflections: How has reading shaped your life? Are there particular impactful books that came into your life at just the right time?

Music as a Therapeutic Tool in Healing

This week I wanted to continue in the same topic as my previous blog post that shared how music can be used in the therapeutic healing process. The focus last week looked at how songs can help improve our relationships. This week I am looking at instrumental music, primarily from a neuro researcher and composer who I mentioned in the past on a post on mindfulness.

Dr. Jeffrey Thompson from the biography section of his website is “the Founder/Director of the Center for Neuroacoustic Research in Carlsbad, California, a research center which is actualizing its vision of ‘Healing the Body*Heart*Mind and Spirit through the Scientific Application of Sound.’”
(http://scientificsounds.com/index.php/dr-thompson/biography ). He has been experimenting with the healing nature of sound since the 1980’s. He has a passion for composing and has a variety of compositions on CD and downloads at his store website (http://scientificsounds.com/index.php/store/healing ). Also on the website under the library link you can find articles on the benefit of music to healing and our life journey.

What are the benefits of music for a person? Under the benefits section he lists benefits that have been found for people. Then in looking in the library section of his website you can see some of the research that backs up the benefits listed. Here is a sampling of some of the benefits listed:

More calmness
More ability to handle stress
Improved emotional responses
More restorative sleep
Improved physical, emotional and belief system health
Increased energy
Less pain
A better sense of themselves

On his website under “Benefits” there is a longer list as well as testimonials from those who have used his music products. I myself when working in my office to keep my mind centered and relaxed I often use his music in the background. Also when I give exams in my classes I often have his music playing to help relax the students’ minds to help counter text anxiety. In my counseling practice I often suggest his compositions as a possible choice if they are dealing with anxiety or having trouble sleeping. If you want to hear an example of his music here is a sample of a composition called “Renewal One” found on Youtube -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tm0sjhSF8g . A number of his works have been posted on Youtube but at his store on his website you can order CD’s, downloads, and mini audio players pre-loaded with 3-6 hours of music.

Growing in awareness of the power of healing in instrumental music is important in our continual growth of Living a More Than OK life. I also encourage the use of classical music and relaxing jazz music to keep our minds aware or to relax our bodies from stress. I just wanted to emphasize Dr. Jeffrey Thompson today as his music is researched based. I encourage you to check our his website I have listed and read up on some of the articles in his library if you are more interested in the power of music to improve your life and health.

Reflection: What instrumental music do you enjoy? Take time to listen to the “Renewal One” composition. What were your feelings while you were listening?

Songs Can Help in Relationships

This week I am moving away from the topics of reading and books to music. In the past I have based many blogposts about certain songs. Last week I attended the American Counseling Association conference in New Orleans. One of the sessions I attended related to music as a tool in therapy. The session was entitled, “Using Popular Music to Promote Healthy Adolescent Relationships”.

The session shared how music can be utilized in helping adolescents who are dealing with troubled personal relationships where they are being controlled and/or facing violence. For many teens music holds a powerful influence in their lives. Various popular songs can aid in opening up important issues in counseling that teens are facing in relationship difficulties with negative boyfriend or girlfriend relationships. For example negative popular songs such as Issues by Julia Michaels or Jealous by Nick Jonas can aid in discussion of some of the negatives within their relationships. On the other hand positive songs like Congratulations by Ne-Yo or Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran can help in discussing good things they can grow within their relationships. Of course the important thing is to find songs that adolescents will enjoy and be able to relate to in their hearts and minds. It was suggested to first find out what music the teens are interested in. That is often one topic I discuss with teen clients so I know what music will work with them.

In my counseling I often use motivational music with teens and relational music with couple counseling. Music is an effective tool often with most people from children to adults. As my family and I were driving back to Texas we were listening to a CD by Danny Gokey. One song, Better Than Gold made me think of this particular session. It is a song that speaks of a romantic relationship. As in the past if you click on the title of the song I have it hyperlinked to a video of the song. Listen to it now and think over the words.

Better Than Gold by Danny Gokey (click on the title to hear the video)

The day that my whole life changed
Was the moment I laid eyes on her
The way she took my breath away
I fell so hard in fact it hurt
She made me feel just like I discovered
Something precious and rare (so rare)
Made me come alive
Took me from my zero to a millionaire
Chorus-
She's like the woman I need
She makes my world complete
She snuck right out of my dreams
I know she's better than gold
She makes my life so sweet
Special delivery from heaven straight to me
I know she's better than gold

She's mine, all mine, she's better than gold
She's fine, so fine, she's better than gold
She's mine, all mine, she's better than gold
She's better than gold
All my friends are saying, "slow down"
There's so much treasure I have left to see
But she's got me sold out
I'm richer than a man deserves to be
She makes me feel just like
I discovered something precious and rare
Perfectly designed, she's a living work of art without compare
(back to chorus) from https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/dannygokey/betterthangold.html

Gokey’s lyrics speak of a love where he feels blessed by being in relationship with his precious and rare woman, “I'm richer than a man deserves to be, She makes me feel just like I discovered something precious and rare.” That phrasing made me think over how better our relationships with our significant partners could be if we viewed the partner in our lives as a precious commodity such as gold. He feels richer in his life because of his relationship with his “better than gold” partner. If we view the significant person in our life as precious we will honor, respect and love them.

We can see his infatuated love in the lines, “She's like the woman I need, She makes my world complete.” Those are good lines to remind someone in a relationship to temper their thinking, in not to expect the other person to make their lives complete. No other person on this earth can make ourselves complete. That is too much of a burden to place on another person. I encourage people to instead work on building up themselves so they are not relying on the other person with too high of expectations. Of course regular readers, know I come at life from a Christian worldview, so those of us in this tradition seek to find personal completeness in Jesus Christ. When I counsel someone of another religious faith tradition I encourage them to find their completeness in their God or Higher Power. Then those of no particular religious perspective I encourage them to build up their self-esteem so they can give to their partner, rather than attempting to gain their self-esteem from their partner.

Music is a powerful medium that we can use for self-growth but as the two professors shared in their research, music can also be of help in thinking through and growing our relationships.

Reflection: What take-away do you find for yourself from the song, Better Than Gold, for your relationship? Think through the songs that are your favorites. Do any of them speak to relationship issues? Take time to look over the lyrics of your song to see what insights you can gain.

Finding the Good in Your Reading

This week I continue in the same vein of looking at the importance of building a habit of reading. In doing so I would like to share some thoughts on an excellent book for Bookheads. The title is, On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books. The author is Karen Swallow Prior. She is Professor of English at Liberty University as well as a Research Fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and a Senior Fellow with Liberty University’s Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement. She has written for magazines such as: Christianity Today, The Atlantic, Think Christian, and many other publications.

Some of her thoughts in the beginning reminded me of C.S. Lewis’ thoughts on stories. Professor Prior encourages readers to find pleasure in reading. A quote relating to this is “Read books you enjoy, develop your ability to enjoy challenging reading, read deeply and slowly, and increase your enjoyment of a book by writing words of your own in it.” (page18). The reminder is to not rush through a book but take time to allow the book to soak into your mind and soul.

One of the many important aspects of her book I gleaned from her writing was the good we can gain for our lives by understanding the virtues and character qualities, we can learn from fiction books as we read with a reflective spirit. She provides perspective on this point through the ages of literature. Even going back to the great Greek philosophers she points out, “Aristotle introduces the notion of literature’s cathartic effect, an idea that has had widespread influence, referring to the way literature trains emotions by arousing them and resolving them through the structure of a well-crafted plot” (page 20). She goes on to share how Aristotle’s thinking on understanding of characters in stories can possibly be considered as a learning tool for improving the inner character qualities in readers.

That thought of how readers can improve their lives by deep immersion into the fiction they read, was an important personal take-away from this book. Professor Prior takes the reader of Reading Well, through a journey of various virtues that are emphasized in various classic novels. By reading her examples one can learn how to look for the good for themselves in other works of literature.

Some of the virtues that she covers in the book are: Courage, Justice, Hope, Love, Diligence, Kindness and others. Some of the books she critiques to show how the various virtues are found in them are: A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens; The Road by Cormac McCarthy; The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy; Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyun.

I don’t list all the virtues nor all the books titles to entice you to check out the book for yourself at Amazon or Barnes & Noble (Click on either to link to the book). Or as I often suggest check at your local library to see if their reference department can find a copy for you.

Some of the books listed by her, I had read before, but the insights she brought to bear made me want to re-read them. Re-reading a book is a habit that C.S. Lewis promoted in the book I mentioned in last week’s blogpost. There were also authors I had not read before and she piqued my interest in their writings. More importantly Professor Prior showcases the personal good and benefit a reader can gain by deeply reading a work of literature and gleaning lessons for one’s life from the books we read.

Reflection: Think over the fiction books you have read. Has there been any standout lessons you have learned from the books? Think through the main characters of a favorite book. Are there any virtues you learn from the character’s life and actions in the book?

Appreciating Reading Thoughts from Great Writers

I am back at writing in Living More Than OK after a lengthy hiatus. From the stress of working on the dissertation, (which still isn’t done- but closer), to other problems I decided I should still take time to do some work on my blog. With my starting to write again in my blog I thought it best to share some thoughts on one of my favorite activities reading.

Reading has been a lifelong passion. I recently finished a book On Stories, by C. S. Lewis. It is a collection of Lewis’ essays on writing. C.S. Lewis has always been one of my favorite authors with his fiction of Chronicles of Narnia and his non-fiction on spiritual issues such as his Mere Christianity. In this compilation of essays he shares about the works of some of the favorites authors he enjoyed reading such as Charles Williams, E. R. Eddison, Tolkien and Dorothy Sayers. He discusses some of their great works and why he enjoyed their writings. His discussion got me interested in looking into some of the writings of Williams and Eddison as I have read Tolkien and Sayers.

In his essay “On Stories” he emphasizes the importance of story. He looked at various aspects such as excitement. With excitement each reader has their own feelings of what excitement means. He also brings out how stories many times bring out the supernatural or what is marvelous about life. Along with what is marvelous about stories that are good often bring a sense of awe to the story line with the characters.
With his thoughts on awe he moves also to free will. Lewis writes, “We have just had set before our imaginations something that has always baffled the intellect: we have seen how destiny and free will can be combined even how free will is the modus operandi of destiny.” (page 21). This balance is seen in stories and can help the reader in understanding real life that we face in our daily journey. Our lives as we reflect often show a balance of Destiny and free will at work. This thoughts relates also to how story to Lewis is important to pleasure and the pleasure in story can aid in our enjoying pleasure in life. As he puts it, “And in the same way the whole story, paradoxically enough strengthens our relish for real life. This excursion into the preposterous sends us back with renewed pleasure to the actual.”(page 20). From this though we can learn to appreciate how the pleasure of reading can bring new levels of pleasure as we live out the story of our lives.

I also enjoyed in the book how Lewis shared how his fictional works began with pictures in his mind. “One thing I am sure of. All seven of my Narnia books, began with seeing pictures in my head.” (page 79). This shows the importance of visualizing in our lives. He used pictures in his mind to help create the stories. By thinking of pictures in our minds we can improve our level of creativity.
Excitement, awe and pleasure are important take-aways from our fiction reading. As I look back on the fiction works I have read over the years I see those terms and others that come to play. Reading often opened up feelings of curiosity to learn more about things I read about in books. Also I can think of times I read when I was young and it gave me an appreciation for the amazing world around me to seek to travel and see other cultures.

Reflection: How do you relate excitement, awe and pleasure to the books you read. What favorite authors do you have and what do you learn from their writings?

Appreciating Libraries with Libraries Rock

I have been away from my blog this year thus far due to many things in the stuff of life. This past week I stopped by the New Braunfels library and was glad to see a packed parking lot so I thought I would do a post on the Library Summer reading program. I had gone to the library to turn in an activity log for the reading program. Passing by the children’s section I saw a poster “Libraries Rock”. This was the same theme that I found on my hometown, Barberton Public Library homepage, so it must be a national theme. Each Summer I usually check out the homepage of the Barberton library to savor memories of Summers spent there when I was younger.

The reading logs that are to be turned in look like bingo cards and there are a variety of library related items on the card: “read 30 minutes” (most frequently listed), “attend a library event”, “check out a CD”, “read a magazine”, “recommend a book to a friend” are some of the items to check off. I dropped off a log form and received another. The forms are turned in for a raffle drawing at the end of the Summer in all the age levels. I was encouraged to see the involvement in the library program that day. Having difficulty in finding a parking spot was actually a joy to me as it meant many townspeople were making use of the library services.

As I went home I thought of the theme, “Libraries Rock”. In the past most of the themes focused in on reading, which I fully promote myself, especially to college students in my courses I teach and to clients in my counseling practice. The theme this year helps us to appreciate what a library is to a community. The services a library provides to a community are plentiful activities for all the various age groups. I noticed this Summer for adults they have at the New Braunfels library for example -- Coloring therapy classes, opportunities to learn yoga and book clubs. I look forward to a future point in life where I can be involved in some activities in the library. Right now my primary appreciation for the library is to find new books to read.

My hope with the “Libraries Rock” theme that it will help young people to capture an inner energy for what libraries can offer. Rock music is high energy so with all that libraries offer, the theme provides a positive connotation to capture the hearts and minds of young people. For teens the New Braunfels library offers art classes and an Anime club. Then for children they have story times and various events such as a Zoofari.

An appreciation for libraries and books has always been a big part of my life. Growing up in Barberton, Ohio my mother always encouraged reading and library involvement. In our high tech world it is easy to be trapped within the four walls of a house. The local library provides a place for booklovers to gather and meet likeminded people with book clubs and a variety of activities that are relevant to a fulfilling life. The Summer is not over so take some time to stop by your local library and gain an appreciation for what the library can offer you.

Reflection- Take a look at your local library webpage and look over the various services your library offers. The Reading programs go through August so be involved with it.

Reflecting on 2017 and Favorite 2017 Worship

Before progressing into 2018 I believe it is important to reflect on 2017. My highlights of the year most importantly was in October going in for an angioplasty to find after my first 99% closed arteries 14 years ago I had another 99 % closed one and one heart artery in the 80% range closed. God helped me to get help twice in my life for my heart without having a heart attack. Some may call it luck but my worldview points to God. That was the primary blessing of the year. I find myself again asking why am I alive when I know others die with such blockages. All I can think of is my time is not up yet and God still has things planned for me on this earth.

Other highlights of the year were continued teaching of college students in my college success course I teach and also in my work as a therapist seeing positive growth in clients. Professionally a highlight was to attend and do a presentation at the International Positive Psychology World Congress in Montreal, Canada. It was a great learning experience and a wonderful vacation trip for the family.

Music wise we ended off on a high note of attending a Mannheim Steamroller concert at the Majestic Theater in our nearby San Antonio. It is a beautiful old theater and Mannheim’s Christmas show was amazingly spectacular. We have enjoyed good music this year but the highlight was in the Fall to hear John Michael Talbot in concert at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in San Antonio. I had always enjoyed his music over the years and had not heard him in concert since my time in Chicago over 20 years ago.

John’s music and voice just carried my heart and mind into worship. I loved hearing his songs that I have continued to listen to over the years. The evening was an opportunity to hear his thoughts behind some of the songs. He is also a deep thinking teacher and some of his thoughts challenged my thoughts on living of a life of knowing myself as a sinner but also understanding God’s mercy through Jesus Christ. I also needed his thoughts on daring to believe God in prayer from his sharing on Mark 11: 22 “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” He encouraged us if we can learn to let go and let God amazing things can happen in our lives. We limit God in our lack of faith. So the John Michael Talbot concert was a spiritual worship highlight of 2017 for me. If you ever have the chance to hear him do not miss it. Check out his website for tour information -- https://johnmichaeltalbot.com
Like the last post about Christmas I am including another John Michael Talbot song for you to reflect on. Growing up in my high school years I would play many of his songs at church and this one was one of my mom’s favorites. Listen to the Youtube video and reflect on the lyrics.


Would You Crucify Him by John Michael Talbot (Click on the title to hear the video of the song.)

Sometimes, in the cool of the evenin'
Truth comes like a Lover in the wind
Sometimes, when my thoughts have gone misleadin'
She'll ask that same old question once again...
Chorus:
Would you crucify Him
Would you crucify Him..., my religious friend?
Would you crucify Him..., talking 'bout the sweet Lord Jesus
If He'd walk right here among you once again?

She's askin', How many times have you looked down to the harlot
Lookin' through her tears, pretendin' you don't know?
For once you were just like her, how can you be now so self righteous
When in the name of the Lord you throw the first stone

So now I turn to you through your years of your robes and stained-glass windows
Do you vainly echo your prayers "to please the Lord?"
Profess the Marriage with your tongue, but your mind dreams like the harlot
But if the Judge looks to your thoughts can't you guess your reward?

Yet how many times have you quoted from your Bible
To justify your eye for your eye and your tooth for your tooth?
You say that He didn't mean what He was plainly sayin'
But like the Pharisee, my friend, you're an educated fool!

Reflection: What were the highlights of your 2017 year? What do you think of the lyrics and meaning of the song “Would You Crucify Him”? Books are a great way to start off the New Year. Check out my book Living More Than OK on line (click on the title for the hyperlink to purchasing it at B & N)