Last night I did one of my favorite activities as a father. I got home from work, and sat down in my recliner with my canvas library bag. My boys came running up, full of excitement, as I began to dole out the books and audio book cd's they had 'ordered' with me a few nights before. Daddy had helped them search for books they wanted, and we put them on hold. They were so excited to get their books... within minutes they were curled up on the couch or some other place to sit, reading their books.
My wife and I must be doing at least one thing right. I'm raising a passel of boys who are readers in a non-reading age. Rene Descartes once said "Reading good booksis like having a conversation with the most distinguished men of past ages". Literature is a powerful thread that bonds humans throughout the centuries. It is a unique gift from our Father creator, with the greatest example of literature provided by Him.
I despair at times to see how reading is being put aside by so many in this day and age. Despite being a technologically savvy person myself, I believe that the reading of good books and literature teaches us things in a much deeper way than video bites or interactive learning systems. It is the way we are wired-- if do the hard work (yes, it is often hard work to read something substantial), it will enrich you like no other form of learning.
There was once an episode of the original Star Trek, where a lawyer who is defending James Kirk against a murder charge is shown to be one of the few remaining people who still likes books... their feel, their look, and most importantly, their contents. If I were a Star Trek character...that would probably be me :)
Is the world headed down a path where future generations will not be readers of anything deeper than a milk saucer? I don't know. What I do know is, that like many aspects of life, the most direct impact I can have is on my oikos, my immediate area of influence.
And in that area, there are 3 little boys who rush up to Daddy to get their books from the library. At that moment, all is right with the world.
Random thoughts:
1. Gentlemen: when you have a beautiful wife to whom you are unfailingly faithful, and you do enough for her to keep her happy and keep her emotional tank full.... and she has the sort of personality where she will then take care of your needs.... it doesn't get much better than that. Seriously. Free lesson for the day.
2. I just can't seem to learn. My personal trainer: "We're done for today, unless you think you can do a third set" Me: "Sure, I could do a third set". Stupid, stupid, stupid
3. Today, I found one benefit of being 40... turns out my personal trainer should have been using a different chart for my body fat calculations since I was so close to (and just turned now) 40. So, this morning I magically lost another 2% just like that. That was cool!
My wife and I must be doing at least one thing right. I'm raising a passel of boys who are readers in a non-reading age. Rene Descartes once said "Reading good booksis like having a conversation with the most distinguished men of past ages". Literature is a powerful thread that bonds humans throughout the centuries. It is a unique gift from our Father creator, with the greatest example of literature provided by Him.
I despair at times to see how reading is being put aside by so many in this day and age. Despite being a technologically savvy person myself, I believe that the reading of good books and literature teaches us things in a much deeper way than video bites or interactive learning systems. It is the way we are wired-- if do the hard work (yes, it is often hard work to read something substantial), it will enrich you like no other form of learning.
There was once an episode of the original Star Trek, where a lawyer who is defending James Kirk against a murder charge is shown to be one of the few remaining people who still likes books... their feel, their look, and most importantly, their contents. If I were a Star Trek character...that would probably be me :)
Is the world headed down a path where future generations will not be readers of anything deeper than a milk saucer? I don't know. What I do know is, that like many aspects of life, the most direct impact I can have is on my oikos, my immediate area of influence.
And in that area, there are 3 little boys who rush up to Daddy to get their books from the library. At that moment, all is right with the world.
Random thoughts:
1. Gentlemen: when you have a beautiful wife to whom you are unfailingly faithful, and you do enough for her to keep her happy and keep her emotional tank full.... and she has the sort of personality where she will then take care of your needs.... it doesn't get much better than that. Seriously. Free lesson for the day.
2. I just can't seem to learn. My personal trainer: "We're done for today, unless you think you can do a third set" Me: "Sure, I could do a third set". Stupid, stupid, stupid
3. Today, I found one benefit of being 40... turns out my personal trainer should have been using a different chart for my body fat calculations since I was so close to (and just turned now) 40. So, this morning I magically lost another 2% just like that. That was cool!
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