One of the things that work for me in helping to create balance is reading. Although a voracious reader since childhood, in 2011, I did not read even one book — print or digital. I’m not even going to try to dissect why — I just know that in 2012, that’s not going to happen.
I signed up for Goodreads. com 2012 reading challenge and my first book is Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree”.
Greed, selfishness, extreme self-sacrifice, loss and quiet acceptance are but a few of the characteristics highlighted in this seemingly child-like story of parables. Elementary illustrations drive home the poignant life lessons like a sledge-hammer. When do we think of self? When do we think of others? Is self-sacrifice more important than self-preservation? When is enough, enough? At what point do we accept what is?
The book was a recommendation from a friend last year but little did I know how much this book would cause me to think so deeply, so early in the new year.
Rating: 5 stars
D'NALI 
Good luck on your reading challenge! Now that you are uber motivated to read you’ll probably hit your goal in no time. I am on goodreads also. Please let me know if I can send you a friend request and also follow your progress there.
-Nizzy
Hey Lady,
I sent you a request yesterday. Good luck with your reading challenge for this year as well.
Audiobooks will make it easier for us. It’s been really wonderful to get back into readying just because … 🙂
I really want to make more time to read this year.. I love shel!!!!!!!
The book was awesome and so deceptively deep. I’m going to get some other books from Shel!!! If his others are like this one, I’m in for a wonderful treat!!!!! 🙂
I missed reading so much … I’m devouring the books already on my list. With a three – four hour commute each day … I’m going to read like my life depends on it. 🙂
I use to read all the time too, but have slacked off. There just isn’t enough time in a day for all I want/need to do! Like learning to crochet 🙂
I can’t wait to see your progress. I may have to join a class too if I can’t figure it out!
I’m so excited to start; I’ll let you know how it goes!!!!! 😀 Like I need another reason to purchase yarn!!! 🙄
You really should try the audiobook-knitting combo. That’s how I read about 100 books last year.
oh and happy new year to you too! 🙂
I think I’m going to do that!!! I downloaded “The Little Prince” on audio-book. I’ll probably start that this weekend while I knit.
I never thought about that either. Great idea!
-Nizzy
It’s definitely hard to make time for sitting down and enjoying a book sometimes. I’ve heard of The Giving Tree but never read it, it certainly sounds though provoking! The Goodreads challenge sounds interesting too. I barely ever use my account, so I’ll have to log in and check it out!
I totally agree. Life gets so crazy and it’s hard to designate time to just breathe much more read but it can be done and it should be done.
Let me know if you get on Goodreads so I could follow you.
And you should definitely read The Giving Tree — it’s less than 10 minutes of your life that you’ll never regret — the impact of the story so far reaching.