Reading your way to wisdom - There are some wisdom-teeth moments in our lives. They hurt, but give us a sense of readiness, power, capability to take a grasp of our lives, and, like mentioned in their name, wisdom. But sometimes, our minds are too cloud-ed to realize when wisdom teeth-moments are happening right in front of our eyes. How do we know when an opportunity lies within a problem?
I don't have the answer. But together, we can find out. Let's start with a scenario that all of us have probably faced.
It's been a wild day. You pull your covers over your head, and close your eyes, tranquilly weaving a path to dreamland. Ah. You've followed your goal and went to bed an hour early. "I won't need coffee in the morning" you think. One step closer to a healthier life.
Or are you?
You have forgotten about the king of temptations, the- PING! There it is, making its siren's song, right now! Your phone.
Its like your hand is a magnet, and the phone is a block of iron. Your mind is trying to keep you away from your phone. The battle rages on. The phone wins, it always does. Your mind sighs, and you yawn. You tell yourself, "I'll just look at this post,". Its a GIF you just have to forward. You then search for your own GIF, and you're lost in sea of gorillas dancing. Finally, you've found the perfect one. You send it. By then, another PING takes you to your friend's picture. You have to forward that too. And the next hour or so, you're trying to find the outfit your friend wore in her picture on Amazon. This, of course, continues until the next PING.
Is there a way to prevent this?
Yes, and it's a wisdom tooth-moment for sure. You've got to silence your phone. Hearing this, your heart probably shattered into a million pieces. You have to choose between sleep and possibly missing out on the next trend. But, the phone's right there! Must Un-silence! Then, you can go put your phone in a separate room. After minutes, you're walking to that room, coming up with excuses for why. The truth is, Phone strikes again.
SO WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?
It's simple. It doesn't have to do with mailing your phone to Antarctica. Just pick up a book! Studies show that reading helps you fall asleep. Also, all books are enthralling. You'll get your well deserved entertainment and relaxation.
SOME GOOD READS SO FAR...
1. The Giver by Lois Lowry - A tale of finding purpose in a future world, with descriptions that can make you dream even when the pings of your phone try to snatch your attention away.
2. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster- a story of being "in the moment," like you are, when you put away that noisy box of distractions.
3. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo- This novel is not just the journey of a china rabbit, but the journey of maturing thoughts and emotions. Other Kate Dicamillo books include "Because of Winn Dixie"- a heart-warming tale of change, and "The Tiger Rising"- about the message, "it's okay to be sad", the book might make you cry, and even laugh.
4. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate- Another children's book that can make adults feel. The thoughts of a gorilla as he realizes the meaning of freedom. Another book by her? Crenshaw. Another timeless tale that will make you smile.
5. The Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park- This book will aid your sleep and night and give you hopes of goals to pursue tomorrow. Whatever you set your mind to, you can achieve. SPOILER ALERT: The ending always makes me shiver.
6. Math with Bad Drawings- Even if you don't like math, this book will show you it's importance. More importantly, it will NEVER fail to make you LOL (Laugh out Loud)!
7. A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen- If you're into historical fictions, this book, along with Projekt 1065, Refugee, Countdown, etc. might be perfect for you.
8. Ronald Dahl Books- A wide Range of choices here. My favorite three are Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and BFG. Dahl writes stories that have a deep meaning behind the funny exterior. They've been made into movies, but don't use that as an excuse to watch the movies instead of read the books!
9. Dr Seuss Books- Specifically, the Lorax! Better than any app! Again, just because it's a movie doesn't mean you get get to see it and not read the book! What will you do to save the truffula trees?...
10. Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne- Another reminder that you are reading the book and not the subtitles of the show! Cute, sweet, perfect for cooling down heat! Destress with Eeyore, Rewind if you're sore, Relax with Piglet, and then you're all set! Read with Tigger, so you're sleep is better and bigger. Hang-a with Kanga and Roo if you'd like, and you'll have replenished you Psyche. Chill with Pooh, it's bedtime for you!
See you soon with another way to keep distraction away..till then let the Wisdom Prevail..
