Today's Wednesday Wildcard segment was inspired by my post yesterday about beach bag accessories and how to dress for less when going to the beach. In this post one of the items that I included in my beach bag was the book, The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine, because this is the book that I am currently reading.
While I am thoroughly enjoying this book at the moment, the actual book in this post was not as important as what it represented to me...the importance of bringing a book to the beach, and the luxury of reading with your feet in the sand, as the sound of the waves crashes in your ears. The simple fact is that I equate going to the beach, relaxing, or unwinding all with reading. Virginia Woolf once wrote on the power of books, "Books are the mirrors of the soul." I think Virginia was on to something...if you are feeling down, you are worried, or simply bored, when you pick up a good book it can have the power to bring you into someone else's soul, and completely change your spirit and your point of reference.
For example, a book like Eat, Pray, Love, can take you to Italy, India, and Bali, and then through the entire emotional process of losing love, healing, and opening the heart up for love again...all in 400 pages or less! These kinds of life experiences usually take a great deal of time and money, but you can experience all of this in one weekend when you curl up with a book on your sofa...and it's free.
So the next time you feel like you NEED to buy something to make yourself feel better, or you are depressed because you don't think that you will ever be able to take that trip to Italy, try and look on the bright side of things. Think of everything that you DO have in your life that is fulfilling and good, and then think about all the books out there that you have never read. And if a trip to Italy is what you're craving, but it's not in your budget right now, I suggest going to your local library and picking up Under The Tuscan Sun. It might not be exactly the same as traveling to Italy, but I promise that you will almost be able to taste the gnocchi, sage, and butter....and it won't cost you a penny. Now that is Living Luxe for Less!
Do you agree? Is there any book that you loved reading so much, that it was more rewarding to you than a new bag or a fancy trip? I believe that I can think of several...
Do you agree? Is there any book that you loved reading so much, that it was more rewarding to you than a new bag or a fancy trip? I believe that I can think of several...
