Books

Maybe it's the binding, maybe it's the smell of the pages, maybe it's the blood, sweat, and tears poured into each word...who knows?  Why I love books so much is a mystery that is simply embedded into my DNA.  I've loved books and reading since I was 4 or 5 years old.  Fiction, Non-Fiction, and anything in between.  I read a LOT! 

Last year my goal was to read 50 books.  I fell way short.  I only got through 36 books, however, with all the blogs and magazines I read, my word count surely far surpasses that of a 50 book total.  There's just something awesome about picking up a book and having a story come to life completely in your mind.  Ever facet and feature just thriving inside your imagination.  It's powerful.

Currently I am finishing up "The Host" by the illustrious Stephenie Meyer.  Of course, I loved the Twilight Series.  Hello?  Gorgeous vampire, average and ordinary girl, sparkling skin, and tree climbing?  The story had it all.  One thing about Stephenie's books with me, though,  is that it takes me a while to get enthralled in it.  She writes big, long, wordy books and it isn't until about half way through the book that I get totally involved in the story.  After that point, it's over for me.  I'm hooked until the end.

Sometimes when I'm reading a book that's slower for me to get into I think about quitting and moving on to some other talked about sensation.  But, I don't.  I stick to it, because sometimes in stories like that, the very ending ties all of the drawn out contingents together.  Making the entire process worth it.

Books are great, and I'd rather be reading a book than watching TV any day.  Here are just a FEW of my favorites.  Check them out!

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman

Rich Like Them by Ryane D'Agostino

The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

Happy for No Reason by Marci Schimoff

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker

The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

Tear Jerkers

If you're a woman (or a sensitive male) you love a good tear jerker.  Yesterday I watched the entire episode of Celebrity Apprentice.  This is the first time I have watched TV in over a month.  The only reason I even turned the box on was because we finally decided to set up the DVD player in our new place.  The DVD player set up failed, so I opted to watch this intriguing show, instead. 

The point of the apprentice appeals to me for its business sense and the idea that team work is still paramount for success today.  However, what moved me was a scene where a young boy who has a deadly disease was given a check for $20,000 written out to Make a Wish Foundation.  He was excited since he was part of that foundation.  But the big moment came when he revealed his wish was to meet Donald Trump and he was told that he would get that chance.  The smile on that little boy's face was about to crack his face open.  It was awesome to see.

You know that exact moment when we watch things like that, things that make you so happy for the person being blessed?  Right at that exact moment when you know you helped make someone's dream come true?  That right there is what brings tears to my eyes.  Our ability to have the opportunity of making people's dreams come true.  We can do things which will bring us to the point of giving us options to work miracles in others lives.  That really moves me and is what I would love to dedicate my life toward.

Many times, we feel as if we have so many problems that there's no way to be in such a position.  Well, that's just an obstacle in our own mind.  God didn't give us this great body, this powerful mind which can only be controlled by us, just to go to waste.  Just to pay bills and get by.  We have this potential in all of us. 

I ran across this article today about people who have made it to the big time, but started out with NOTHING!  Zero!  Zilch!  Nada!  So if one other person can do it, why not us?  Just one other person has to show that it's possible to take the excuses away from us.  However, there are WAY more than just 1.  There are many, upon many, upon many people who have overcome terrible circumstances to be great and then pour out that love and greatness to others.  It's time to get inspired!