Here are another 5 suggestions from Becky Fields. Becky writes the blog http://commonchapters.wordpress.com/. Please make sure that you check this out as much thought is given to this blog.
- Consider a beloved childhood story. Think hard about the little person you were then and how and why that story made you laugh, made you cry, made you want to jump up on a horse’s back and ride, or climb a mountain, solve a mystery or sing a song. Revel in the memory of good story-telling, and then, go rummage up a copy of that beloved, old book (even if you have to order it from amazon.com) and share it with your children, grandchildren, or the neighborhood girl you see playing in her yard. Reintroduce yourself to the best days of childhood and offer them up to a child.
- Write a letter to a teacher from your elementary/grammar school days. Remind that teacher of the impact she made. Thank her for making a difference.
- Recall the best novel you refused to read in high school. You know it had to be good, because your teacher told you it was, and a few movie versions probably exist, proving its long-lasting value. Read it. Jot down what it teaches you about life and how we should live it. Try to practice a bit of living that way, every day.
- Make a list of the good reasons to read poetry. Make it rhyme. Marvel at how lame your poem is. Laugh. Ponder. Read a Billy Collins poem. Choose ”I Ask You” or“Forgetfulness” and marvel at this: there truly are good reasons to read poetry.
- Remember how good it feels to learn, to discover, to be alive. Make a note of it.
