Going Bookless
All right. I did it. I went bookless for the week.
Cameron wanted me to do it. She said I would probably balk. She was right.
What was I supposed to do in lieu of reading? She suggested knitting (I used to do that; I find it tedious now), gardening, playing an instrument, and other things I can't remember. She promised I would find something important. I'm not sure about that. Though sometimes it takes a while to discover what has just happened in our soul unawares.
I did find two fire poems which I have been looking for a really long time (one still stashed away, waiting for the collaborative touch of Kelly Langner Sauer.) I found my guitar (again... I seem to lose track of it over and over, but I wanted something to put my voice to, so I found my guitar). I played piano, cleaned (a lot, a lot and can't believe how much I could still do if I were so inclined; if you are reading this, RM, know that I am terribly jealous of your clean, peaceful house :)
Mostly I found permission.
Reading is something I often feel compelled to do. It's even part of my job (I did read a little here and there on-line, but I curbed it as much as possible). It felt freeing to know I wasn't allowed to read, as much as it bugged me too (how many times did I reach for a book, then just sit down on my bed and do nothing, while I tried to re-envision who I am through what I do?)
I didn't much like going bookless. Yet I did find those things I may not have otherwise found. So I'm thinking I might do this again sometime.
Right after I read a few good books.
Cameron wanted me to do it. She said I would probably balk. She was right.
What was I supposed to do in lieu of reading? She suggested knitting (I used to do that; I find it tedious now), gardening, playing an instrument, and other things I can't remember. She promised I would find something important. I'm not sure about that. Though sometimes it takes a while to discover what has just happened in our soul unawares.
I did find two fire poems which I have been looking for a really long time (one still stashed away, waiting for the collaborative touch of Kelly Langner Sauer.) I found my guitar (again... I seem to lose track of it over and over, but I wanted something to put my voice to, so I found my guitar). I played piano, cleaned (a lot, a lot and can't believe how much I could still do if I were so inclined; if you are reading this, RM, know that I am terribly jealous of your clean, peaceful house :)
Mostly I found permission.
Reading is something I often feel compelled to do. It's even part of my job (I did read a little here and there on-line, but I curbed it as much as possible). It felt freeing to know I wasn't allowed to read, as much as it bugged me too (how many times did I reach for a book, then just sit down on my bed and do nothing, while I tried to re-envision who I am through what I do?)
I didn't much like going bookless. Yet I did find those things I may not have otherwise found. So I'm thinking I might do this again sometime.
Right after I read a few good books.
Labels: art pilgrimage, spiritual practice, The Artist's Way
posted by L.L. Barkat at
2:57 PM
8 Comments:
I have to say I've never tried this. It sounds...frightening. And also peaceful in a way. I think I'll give this a try, too. In a bit.
I thought about doing this, as something to give up for Lent. . . for all of about a minute. Just. Could. Not. Do. It.
Maybe NEXT Lent. I'm not brave enough. Lauren Winner did it, though. (I read that).
Starting the Artist's Way this week, with a group. Not looking forward to the no reading week. In 2009 I gave up reading for Lent. Those posts are on my blog, if they interest you. It was crazy hard.
this is how I feel when I force away from pictures... it is cleansing...
I like this.
and how it is the opposite in a way of my past year or so, giving myself permission to read instead of not.
I put away the book love years ago when I realized it distracted me from very busy children , exercise, etc etc.
And as someone already years behind, this threw me for such a curve.
I'm deeply thrilled to be playing catch up now. Regretting the decision for the most part, what a loss, yet so fully alive it's okay. Mostly. I still feel so "out of the loop".
Kinda neat to mix things up a bit, huh?
i love finding permission .
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