A little fall reading
I don't know what it is about October. I always hope it will be mild and sunny but often it is dreary and dark. It makes me feel like it's time to start preparing for winter. I've been low on energy and in hibernating mode. N and I spontaneously went to Blue Mountain for a night. I always find when we go on these little getaways we find our groove. We went to a local pub in the village and there was live music. We left as they were shutting down the bar, we had been so engrossed in each other we lost track of time. I've also been reading a lot. Reading tends to be my escape and comfort.
A friend gave me Robert Sharma's newest book; The 5 AM Club: Own your morning. Elevate your life. Sharma also wrote The Monk who sold his Ferrari which I loved. I've subsequently reread it as a companion piece to the 5 AM Club. Sharma encourages his readers to maximize their lives by rising early. The idea is that from 5 am to 6 am you can take time for yourself. It's time where you are able to focus your energy and calm your mind. The idea is inspiring, the reality daunting. I was riveted by the story that Sharma tells about two people who are transformed thorough out the book by changing their poor habits. He emphasizes that happiness can only be achieved when there is meaning in our pursuits. The key is to find what is meaningful to you. I agree with him, nothing will feel like work if you are inherently motivated. These were reflective reads, I spend a lot of time reflecting on what is meaningful to me. That's part of my journey.
Currently I am reading Matthew Desmond's book Evicted. The book follows 8 families in Milwaukee who struggle to avoid homelessness. This is a difficult book to read because it's an example of how the American dream is a myth. The families are for the most part African American, tending to be made up of single mothers, drug abusers, petty criminals and the disabled. They are the victims of sexual and physical abuse, mental illness, poverty and neglect. They are preyed on by street smart land lords who financially profit from their vulnerability and lack of support. They are stuck in the maze of the fractured American court system It's a vicious circle that feeds off lack of education, racism and desperation. It's a fantastic read, providing tremendous insights in to the inner workings of the American system. However, the book leaves me feeling sad and hopeless. The contrast between Sharma's inspiring and motivating tales of finding your passion and fulfillment seem trite when 2 year olds are being removed from their beds in the middle of a cold winter night.
Desmond writes clearly, in plain language. His style is impersonal yet detailed and frank. As you plod through the book your heart breaks over and over at the tragedy that is these people lives. It is painful to realize how much more I expect out of life and how little other people receive. I find I can handle the stories about adults, they make poor choices that determine their destiny. They take the path of least resistance, lack self motivation and are often self indulgent. I think they should know better. It's the children that hit me hard, they are victims. They are preyed on, neglected and scared. I don't know to reconcile myself to a society that provides no safety net for innocent children.
The US is the wealthiest country in the world and it can't provide housing for 12% of it's citizens. They have not been given the tools or opportunities to break free from lives of poverty and despair. They are forgotten and left to rot. I highly recommend this book. It will allow you to transcend the tawdry tales of their President and learn about how those politics directly impact the people. Cuts to social assistance, racism, poor health care and inner city decay. Grinding poverty in a country whose wealthiest are in the top 1 percent of the world. It's hard to reconcile as I live my cozy little life.
I don't know what it is about October. I always hope it will be mild and sunny but often it is dreary and dark. It makes me feel like it's time to start preparing for winter. I've been low on energy and in hibernating mode. N and I spontaneously went to Blue Mountain for a night. I always find when we go on these little getaways we find our groove. We went to a local pub in the village and there was live music. We left as they were shutting down the bar, we had been so engrossed in each other we lost track of time. I've also been reading a lot. Reading tends to be my escape and comfort.
A friend gave me Robert Sharma's newest book; The 5 AM Club: Own your morning. Elevate your life. Sharma also wrote The Monk who sold his Ferrari which I loved. I've subsequently reread it as a companion piece to the 5 AM Club. Sharma encourages his readers to maximize their lives by rising early. The idea is that from 5 am to 6 am you can take time for yourself. It's time where you are able to focus your energy and calm your mind. The idea is inspiring, the reality daunting. I was riveted by the story that Sharma tells about two people who are transformed thorough out the book by changing their poor habits. He emphasizes that happiness can only be achieved when there is meaning in our pursuits. The key is to find what is meaningful to you. I agree with him, nothing will feel like work if you are inherently motivated. These were reflective reads, I spend a lot of time reflecting on what is meaningful to me. That's part of my journey.Currently I am reading Matthew Desmond's book Evicted. The book follows 8 families in Milwaukee who struggle to avoid homelessness. This is a difficult book to read because it's an example of how the American dream is a myth. The families are for the most part African American, tending to be made up of single mothers, drug abusers, petty criminals and the disabled. They are the victims of sexual and physical abuse, mental illness, poverty and neglect. They are preyed on by street smart land lords who financially profit from their vulnerability and lack of support. They are stuck in the maze of the fractured American court system It's a vicious circle that feeds off lack of education, racism and desperation. It's a fantastic read, providing tremendous insights in to the inner workings of the American system. However, the book leaves me feeling sad and hopeless. The contrast between Sharma's inspiring and motivating tales of finding your passion and fulfillment seem trite when 2 year olds are being removed from their beds in the middle of a cold winter night.Desmond writes clearly, in plain language. His style is impersonal yet detailed and frank. As you plod through the book your heart breaks over and over at the tragedy that is these people lives. It is painful to realize how much more I expect out of life and how little other people receive. I find I can handle the stories about adults, they make poor choices that determine their destiny. They take the path of least resistance, lack self motivation and are often self indulgent. I think they should know better. It's the children that hit me hard, they are victims. They are preyed on, neglected and scared. I don't know to reconcile myself to a society that provides no safety net for innocent children.
The US is the wealthiest country in the world and it can't provide housing for 12% of it's citizens. They have not been given the tools or opportunities to break free from lives of poverty and despair. They are forgotten and left to rot. I highly recommend this book. It will allow you to transcend the tawdry tales of their President and learn about how those politics directly impact the people. Cuts to social assistance, racism, poor health care and inner city decay. Grinding poverty in a country whose wealthiest are in the top 1 percent of the world. It's hard to reconcile as I live my cozy little life.
