You HAVE to read this book!
Over the years, I have read A LOT of books. Many of them, during that time, have left an indelible mark on me. All of those marks were left, at specific times in my life, for different reasons. Each book's message seemed to land on me when I needed to hear it. Books can shape our lives if we let them.
Do you remember the first time that you read The Little Engine That Could? I remember my parents reading that to me as a kid, and for the past several years I have been reading it to my girls. The takeaway message of believing in yourself, and the importance of positive thinking and positive self-talk, in that short children's book, is very powerful and remains with me to this day (and hopefully will remain with my girls).
The next book that I specifically remember leaving a mark on me was The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Both are very impactful children's books, but there are many more takeaways than you might expect from this one. We are taught to avoid one-sided relationships. Taught to value the people and relationships in our lives, rather than take them for granted. The lesson that seemed to stick with me the most is the idea that the boy who wanted everything never seemed happy, but the tree who gave everything it had was happy.
I have discussed many other books in these posts, over the years, that were filled with information that I have found to be very helpful in life. Some of the most influential books that come to mind are Atomic Habits, Why We Sleep, and Greenlights (especially the audiobook!)... To be honest, I think that each book that I have read has a valuable takeaway message. Each of these books have given me information and wisdom that has been meaningful to me in the journey of life.
Why am I talking about all these books?
For Christmas, Carol received a book that she asked for - The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse, by Charlie Mackesy. She had not read it yet, but brought it with her earlier this year when we flew to Long Island to celebrate her Mom's birthday. We arrived at BWI 45 minutes before our flight was going to board, and passed through security with about 20 minutes before passengers would begin boarding our flight. As we sat in the airport waiting for permission to claim our seat on the plane, Carol read the entire book. Cover to cover in about 20 minutes. Then she looked at me, handed me the book, and said "You HAVE to read this book." As we sat in the plane anticipating our take-off, I read it cover to cover. Then I read it again on the flight. I couldn't put it down.
It is a book that tells the story of a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse who become friends. The book is illustrated and hand written, with each page being an amazing frame-worthy piece of art. Within the covers of this book, there are an infinite number of takeaway messages. It is the kind of book that you could read one day and receive the message that you need, in that moment, but if you were to read it at a different time, when your needs are different, the takeaway message would shift to fit your current situation.
If you haven't heard of this book, I cannot recommend it enough. Everyone NEEDS to read this book. Every adult. Every child. EVERYONE!
Here is a link if you want to buy it from Amazon.
Over the years, I have read A LOT of books. Many of them, during that time, have left an indelible mark on me. All of those marks were left, at specific times in my life, for different reasons. Each book's message seemed to land on me when I needed to hear it. Books can shape our lives if we let them.
Do you remember the first time that you read The Little Engine That Could? I remember my parents reading that to me as a kid, and for the past several years I have been reading it to my girls. The takeaway message of believing in yourself, and the importance of positive thinking and positive self-talk, in that short children's book, is very powerful and remains with me to this day (and hopefully will remain with my girls).
The next book that I specifically remember leaving a mark on me was The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Both are very impactful children's books, but there are many more takeaways than you might expect from this one. We are taught to avoid one-sided relationships. Taught to value the people and relationships in our lives, rather than take them for granted. The lesson that seemed to stick with me the most is the idea that the boy who wanted everything never seemed happy, but the tree who gave everything it had was happy.
I have discussed many other books in these posts, over the years, that were filled with information that I have found to be very helpful in life. Some of the most influential books that come to mind are Atomic Habits, Why We Sleep, and Greenlights (especially the audiobook!)... To be honest, I think that each book that I have read has a valuable takeaway message. Each of these books have given me information and wisdom that has been meaningful to me in the journey of life.
Why am I talking about all these books?
For Christmas, Carol received a book that she asked for - The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse, by Charlie Mackesy. She had not read it yet, but brought it with her earlier this year when we flew to Long Island to celebrate her Mom's birthday. We arrived at BWI 45 minutes before our flight was going to board, and passed through security with about 20 minutes before passengers would begin boarding our flight. As we sat in the airport waiting for permission to claim our seat on the plane, Carol read the entire book. Cover to cover in about 20 minutes. Then she looked at me, handed me the book, and said "You HAVE to read this book." As we sat in the plane anticipating our take-off, I read it cover to cover. Then I read it again on the flight. I couldn't put it down.
It is a book that tells the story of a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse who become friends. The book is illustrated and hand written, with each page being an amazing frame-worthy piece of art. Within the covers of this book, there are an infinite number of takeaway messages. It is the kind of book that you could read one day and receive the message that you need, in that moment, but if you were to read it at a different time, when your needs are different, the takeaway message would shift to fit your current situation.
If you haven't heard of this book, I cannot recommend it enough. Everyone NEEDS to read this book. Every adult. Every child. EVERYONE!
Here is a link if you want to buy it from Amazon.
Movement is my medicine,
