Library - My Escape for Paradise- Free Books for Creative Habits.
When I was a little girl till my final years in high school, my mother had my siblings and I would go to the library every two weeks. Before that within my elementary school days, we had an in house library where we as a class would go routinely to check out books, as part of our extra curriculum activity. It was there that I read some of my favorite childhood tales, by authors like Judy Blume’s “Fudge” and “SuperFudge”, Dr. Seuss’s “Hat in the Cat,” and “The Lorax,” Shel Silverstein’s, “The Giving tree,” to even tween favorite series like, “The Babysitters club.” Once I was in the upper division of my elementary school there was a program I participated in called “Book Buddies.” This was an activity that involved 5th and 6th graders who were given a book buddy that could be in either the 2nd or 3rd grade. Every couple of weeks we would meet up with our book buddy and read to them. I was encouraged within both my home and my school, on the importance of reading. I enjoyed it mostly because I love to immerse myself deep into a story and let my imagination run wild. For someone that is a chronic daydreamer, it was the perfect relationship.
What I didn’t realize or know at the time, was that reading daily or more frequently was actually good for the brain, and helped assist with the learning process.
This also included a better development of building one’s vocabulary. Last year I decided to return to that habit again, after realizing that I had grown weary of staring at the screen all the time. I was feeling run down and depressed because inspiration was becoming very scarce. So I turned to my most trusted ally…my daydreams, and it was within my lost thoughts that I recalled a moment within my childhood that was very exciting, my trips to library. Therefore I holstered unto my bike and peddled away to new adventures location, my local library and resurrected my old friend. Once I begin reading again, I felt liberated once more, and gained a lot more creative inspiration. It truly does sadden me when I see/hear of bookstores closing, and comments mention that libraries are dead. Libraries aren’t dead! They’re antique, which means they’re precious and even more valuable. Plus it’s free! The library is one of my meccas of enlightenment; you have access to learn even more creative skills to enhance you in becoming an even greater artist. Here is my impromptu idea for the week: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you haven’t already, I encourage you to get your free library card, at your neighboring city, and start checking out those books you have always wanted to read. Why not start with one that will enhance your favorite creative skill!
“Everything you need for better future and success has already been written. And guess what? All you have to do is go to the library. “
-Henri Frederic Amiel