Two weeks ago, I published a grim post. Then skipped a Sunday of blogging. Now I have returned. During that interlude, I spent three days in Disney World, hanging out with some close friends, watching our daughters perform in a national dance competition. That trip required me to step way out of my comfort zone. It was worth it. Even when I spent half a day without access to my phone.
As for not blogging, it was acceptable. I did not want to haul my laptop through security, onto the plane, and then have it sitting around in the hotel, worried I would leave it behind. I did not need to keep track of another item, and increase my anxiety. Also, it turns out that I never had enough time to myself, between all the walking, talking, eating, and introspection that happened. Except for the shower. I was alone in there. But it is not a place for a laptop.
No computer also meant no journaling. I have been struggling with that habit since the beginning of the year. To miss three full days of it was a major, but necessary set back. It is a good thing that I have so much free time waiting for my daughter at her dance studio. I spent the full two-and-a-half hours in the car typing away a journal entry that ran six full typed pages, single spaced. And I only wrote half of what was on my mind of my experiences from the trip. Really, it was an outline. At some point, I need to go back and expand on some of the content.
Speaking of habits, I tried to improve another one, reading. The last time I wrote about my reading habit was more than a year ago. So, I decided to put some effort into it. I downloaded two pieces of fiction, and one non-fiction. The latter, Empire of the Summer Moon, covers the history of the Comanches. I read about two chapters, and realized I did not want to spend the trip catching up on our dark past. Especially when I spent the week before watching a documentary series on the First World Way. One of the fiction books is a favorite of a close friend, and I have been meaning to start it since hearing them mention it. That was three years ago. And now it will have to wait a bit longer. As I discovered on my plane ride to Orlando airport, I struggle to commit to new works of fiction.
Instead, I settled on the third book I downloaded. It would seem a part of me knew I would prefer something old and familiar. A book that I have read enough times so I could skip over various parts. But I one enjoy so thoroughly, that I could easily turn to it when I needed to escape, or found myself alone. It is the Lord of the Rings. The entire series. For three nights, right before bed, I delved into its pages. Then on the flight home. Reading it kept me grounded, and connected to a feeling I wish to experience more often.
The Lord of the Rings is the first book that I can vividly remember loving to read. I even inspired my best friend to give it a try. He ended up enjoying it, too. That all happened back in the seventh grade. Since then, I have returned to it at least ten times, cover to cover, and a dozen times just one or two sections. But in no way would I recommend it to anyone I know. While it is good literature, and an essential part of the fantasy genre, its style and content does not appeal to everyone. Even I grow weary of reading certain passages. Especially the long speeches. However, there are other parts, entire chapters, especially the first part of the story, that hooks me in every time I start it.
And so, from time to time, I go back to it, in order to recapture the magic I felt the first time I experienced that book. It is ironic that it would be a book that explores the passing of golden ages, and heroic times; of one last grand adventure before a vast, fantastical world fades away. It is also no surprise that my ability to read it thoroughly wanes as well. Yet, my nostalgia keeps me going.
I just hope that joy inspires me to explore more works of fiction.
No comments:
Post a Comment