Jay will sometimes joke with me if I’m really into a book and ignoring him, “Hey...how’s that passion of yours coming along?” or something along those lines. You see, we’ve had more than one conversation where I compare myself to him, a man who absolutely invests, commits and enjoys his own passions, and complain that I have none of my own.
“You love reading,” he usually responds in an attempt to soothe my self-loathing. Is it fair to compare reading 50 or so books a year to someone who gets up at 5 am, everyday, to train for marathons? Or, someone who meticulously studies the genetics of cattle, going so far as traveling for an artificial insemination course in central Utah so that he won’t have to hire anyone to do something he figures he can do just as well. Heck - it’s not about saving money - he enjoys it! It’s all part of the passion that brings balance and fulfillment to his life.
We enjoy the fruits of his passions as well. He is hard-working and dependable and interesting and handy and so very much fun to be with. I think it’s a good thing to admire your husband, yes? I do so admire his passions.
And, so, if the incomparable act of reading books really is my passion, is it as worthy of admiration? What do I accomplish other than having that greater empathy I mentioned a few days ago? I am an excellent contributor at book club. I am usually quite reliable to be able to recommend a book or two or three off the top of my head should anyone be desperate for a recommendation. Oh...if only reading a book burned calories! Then my inevitably svelte body would certainly garner some praise.
“But how do you find the time to read?"
"It’s just a matter of priorities. An hour or two a day is all anybody needs.”
These are just a few of the quotes I found on pinterest about being passionate about fitness, which, I think is a passion that gets more kudos than most:
(Great. Now I just want to go work out! Those motivational posters really work!)
I just finished Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies and it’s not Pulitzer literature but it’s more than dumb chick lit. I really have a lot on my mind right now from reading it. Like, the appearances we put on for others vs. our real selves. The power of words - all kinds of words - from gossip, threats, confessions and testimonies. The competitiveness and insecurity of parenting. How genuine friendship can heal wounds. I really enjoyed reading it. I really enjoy reading.
Maybe it’s a passion. It’s just not the adjective usually associated with reading. Avid...yes. Really, have you ever seen a more overused adjective to describe someone who likes to read? “So and so is an avid reader.” Thesaurus says “ardent, devoted, eager, fanatical, fervent, hungry, impatient, insatiable, keen, PASSIONATE, ravenous, thirsty, voracious (o.k. That one is also used a lot), zealous, rapacious, greedy and intense are all synonyms of avid. So, I’m an avid, voracious, passionate reader. The other ones all seem a bit...violent. No wonder they aren’t used.
O.K. Here goes.
I love books. I love thinking. Reading gets me thinking.
I’m a reader. And, today, on this 7th day of gratitude, I’m glad to have something in my life that I enjoy so much.
3 comments:
I think that reading is totally a passion. It isn't something that the husbands generally count in the area of "important ways to spend one's time" but It is lot more enlightening than cleaning the bathrooom.
I applaud and admire your voracious, passionate reading!
I love that you can give me good recommendations. I love reading too, but don't allow myself time to make it a passion....You are a much deeper thinker too. Fun post about something you enjoy so much!
Nathan was telling me the other day about one of the kids in his English class, who had read 25 books in the first term.
And I totally said, "WOW! That is a passionate reader!!!" :)
I absolutely think that being a passionate reader is just as good as being a passionate runner or cow inseminator! It DOES make you more compassionate, but it also makes you smarter. You always have something to talk about at parties (unless it is a party made up totally of non-readers and who wants to go to that kind of party?)
This is going to sound weird, but oh well. I occasionally think about what might be included in my obituary when I die. "Avid" reader (or voracious or passionate or whatever) must be in there. I want people to remember that about me. And when I think about you, I admire your ability to read so much. Who wants their obituary to say "she always had a clean house" when it could read "she was a rapacious reader"???
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