Lately, I've been working on my platform. Well, maybe working is a little strong, more like taking pokes at my platform. (Platform is "something that enables you to get seen and heard", according to Michael Hyatt.)
One of the pokes has been being more active on social networking sites. That's when I stumbled into a chatroom, or forum, for "writers". I couldn't believe the topic: "I don't read at all." Are you kidding me! Not read? I think my head may explode!
Since posting my slightly sarcastic, condescending comment, I've had a little time to think. I've thought about some of the books that have had the greatest impact on me. That made me wonder: no matter the media or the message, do our minds and hearts have to be ripe to accept it?
When I moved to a retiring teacher's classroom, I inherited this book. If I had still been serving in a middle class bedroom community, I probably would have passed over it. But I wasn't. I was up to my eyebrows in an urban school district. A place where many children struggled for the bare necessities of life, and/or to grasp the most basic elements of education.
My mind and heart were ripe for its powerful message about literacy. I read it to my classes the first week of school until I retired. I purchased copies for all my great-nieces and nephews, and when they came along, for my granddaughters.
My mind and heart were ripe for its powerful message about literacy. I read it to my classes the first week of school until I retired. I purchased copies for all my great-nieces and nephews, and when they came along, for my granddaughters.
During a period of discouragement and disillusionment, Mary gave me this book. It was just the shot of hope and encouragement I needed. Interestingly, I reread it recently with completely new insights.
Have you ever done that? You read something that speaks straight to your heart, it's ripe to receive the message. Time passes and it either speaks a different message, or doesn't have the same impact.
I can't imagine not reading. Its value was handed down to me by my parents, and I tried to pass it along to my kids. But I'm learning that while the value of reading doesn't change or fade, the potency of the media can.
Dear Reader, thank you for choosing to include this post in your reading today. I hope you've found something of value in it for yourself. As a reader, a writer, an educator, I pray you will always discover messages tailor-made to meet the ripeness of your heart.
What have you read lately? What intrigued or enlightened you most? If you could have or recommend only one book, which one would it be?
Have you ever done that? You read something that speaks straight to your heart, it's ripe to receive the message. Time passes and it either speaks a different message, or doesn't have the same impact.
I can't imagine not reading. Its value was handed down to me by my parents, and I tried to pass it along to my kids. But I'm learning that while the value of reading doesn't change or fade, the potency of the media can.
Dear Reader, thank you for choosing to include this post in your reading today. I hope you've found something of value in it for yourself. As a reader, a writer, an educator, I pray you will always discover messages tailor-made to meet the ripeness of your heart.
What have you read lately? What intrigued or enlightened you most? If you could have or recommend only one book, which one would it be?
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