Reading is important, at all ages

As young parents, a story was always part of the

bedtime routine for our kids (two boys, now grown with children of their own).  We started by reading to them, then we transitioned into reading “together” and then they read to us.  I think we stopped this when they got into middle school, but they continued to read at night, and both have a love of reading to this day.  They also instilled this love of reading to their children.

I’m sure we’ve all heard that reading gives children a fantastic head start in language, literacy and social skills.  This article refers to reading in the classroom, and using technology (like #YouTube)… https://litinfocus.com/10-significant-benefits-of-reading-aloud-to-your-students/.  It’s also a great way to have some “bonding” time with your child.

If you haven’t been reading with your children, you still can make it a routine. Start tonight, make it fun.

Reading together doesn’t have to be at bedtime. 

It can be anytime like… before or after dinner, or first thing in the morning (if you are an early bird).  After school may not be the best time, as they may want to talk about their day, but if it works for your family, by all means do it then.

If you’re children are grown, start reading with your grandchildren.  You’ll both enjoy spending the time together!

Jim has some thought on this topic, too!

I have been reading a lot lately about trying to understand myself. Who am I? What is my purpose? How can I be the best person I can be? Perhaps it’s growing older that has me thinking this way. Several authors have caught my attention. Ian Cron’s book The Road Back to You introduced me to the Enneagram – ancient wisdom that describes the nine personality types that likely describe us. Which then lead me to Beatrice Chestnut’s works – The Complete Enneagram and 9 Types of Leadership. All of these books are aimed at helping us to better understand who we are, or in the words of Socrates, to “know thyself.” (Although this saying may come from ancient wisdom long before Socrates who used it as an organizing principle.)

As I have come to know myself over the years, I have learned three things that make me more effective and happy in my life.

First, I am a continuous learner. I constantly need to be exploring and learning new things to feel engaged and energized in life. Second, I need music in my life. When I go days without listening to music, the days become drab and dreary, and so does my attitude. I love listening to a wide variety of music, everything from Bach to ZZ Top, with few exceptions. But mostly I listen to uplifting classical, jazz, and rock. (Just ask Pam about my dancing to Paul Simon’s Graceland tonight!) Third, and most importantly, I need to be connected to others in relationship, especially to my wife and life partner. If we aren’t spending time together and discussing life, I can get ornery and depressed. So it’s important to reserve time just for us.

All of this is to say, what about you? How well do you know yourself? Do you know what you need to be the best you? Have you reflected on who you truly are? My suggestion is that you spend some time to “read and know yourself” in order to “live life abundantly.” (John 10:10)

*Be sure to check out Miss Pam Reads, for kids, and Mrs Pam Reads, for adults.  Both are available on YouTube.