What Does Your Bookshelf Say About You?
Posted: Wednesday, August 04, 2010
by Brianna Popsickle
My husband's bookshelf is filled with novels written by Hemmingway, John LeCarre, Robert Parker and Irwin Shaw. He loves to disappear with a good book and get lost in a story. He also loves to write. My bookshelf is filled with books on gardening, diet and exercise, art and relationships. I have books by Penelope Leach, my most trusted friend while raising my children, books by Oprah and Bob Greene, from those years I was trying to make the connection, motivational books by Lance Armstrong, and the Chicken Soup series, spiritual books like Tao Ching by Stephen Mitchell.
I've also become somewhat of a life expert. When a friend loses a loved one I comfort them by saying, Their memory will keep you strong. When someone loses a job I reassure them, When one door closes, another opens. When a friend's heart is broken I tell them, It's better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all, or, He was an ass, you're better off without him.
When I say these things, I believe them. How can one woman be so wise?
Like so many others, I'm great at giving advice, and great at saying the right thing. But when it comes to living it - taking my own advice - sometimes I fail. Miserably.
Spring is my favourite time of year. It's a time of promise, a time of renewal and fresh starts. It's flowers blooming and trees blossoming. Fall however, is my least favourite season. Although the foliage is beautiful, and the smells divine, it signifies the end of something wonderful.
Endings. They're a weakness of mine. I don't handle them well. Be it the end of summer, the end of a job, or the end of a relationship. I'm not good with goodbyes. So these days when people tell me, When one door closes, another opens, or It will just take time. I know they mean well, because I've meant well when I've said those same words to others.
I appreciate their concern. I appreciate their advice. I smile and nod my head. But forgive me if I don't agree right now. I don't want to think positively. I don't want to think of the great things in store for me. Because right now all I can think about is what I've lost, who I've lost, and about the sadness I feel in my heart. A sadness I don't expect anyone to understand, because truthfully, I don't understand it myself.
I don't think there's a book for this. Maybe it will just take time.
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More commentsBrianna, this is a very nice story thread.
Even though I have no room anywhere here on the farm for another book, I will probably buy the "Brianna Pop series: "What does Your Bookcase (Your Refrigerator, Sock Drawer, Wallet, Tool Box, etc.) Say About You".
I will read them all and appear wise, though not take much of the advice- no wise person ever does!
bing
Funny you should say this Bing, since I have just recently published my first book. Keep room on your shelf for it, as I will for yours. Thank you for the series idea. How be I cover the refrigerator and the wallet and leave the tool box and sock drawer piece for you to write. Surely there's something you can reveal to us to that we don't already know about you.
You just recently published a book Brianna? That's fabulous! I hadn't heard anything about it- What is the title, and where can I get it?? Congratulations! Great article too- I have two bookshelves, not big ones tho- they're stuffed back-to-front and spilling out into the floor, I'm always digging around in them hunting for something. Teetering towers of haphazardly stacked books surround my bed too- I'm not really a messy person, except with books and papers. My books are from every genre there is- mostly non-fiction tho- I'll bet you can tell my favorite thing do do- LOL- Thanks Brianna- Always- EllaYes, I did! I guess I let that slip to Bing. It's called Brianna Popsickle's Letters from a Suburban Prison, of course. :) My website is under construction and once it is up and running, the book will be available there. I am considering Amazon as well. Unsure, it's all new to me. Thanks for the comment Ella, I always appreciate hearing from you.
Someone else who doesn't like autumn because it means an ending! For me it's more about summer ending, my favorite time of year.You're right, I don't think there is a book about those kinds of sadness. Just something that has to be plowed through. I too have used those types of cliche's but I REALLY don't like to hear them when I'm on the other end. Until hope shines again, my thoughts will be with you.I think rather than offer the old cliche's to friends, from here on in, I'll just listen. That's all we ever really need, is to know someone is listening and caring, whether or not they agree with how we're handling a situation. Thanks for reading and commenting Joyce. And Joyce, there's still a few weeks of summer left!!!
Good idea Brianna. The times when I've been in a position of loss, I got the most comfort from someone who just sat with me and didn't offer any advice.I plan to soak up every single minute of summer. As Martina McBride says "...and drink up every second like a big old glass of water." :)
I am sitting here looking at a blank "comment" box - I guess the best thing I can do is reach out and give you a great big e-hug! Thanks for sharing this with your readers and giving us things to ponder - thanks for touching our hearts with your words!Awww Marijo. I felt that e-hug all the way from Colorado. Thanks so much. I'm sending one right back to you.Got it and congrats on publishing your book!!!
Beautiful!!!"I've created an oasis in my own backyard" This is so incredibly nice sentence!"It's better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all, or, He was an ass, you're better off without him." hahahha :)Thanks for writing this!You are very welcome Hyun Soung. Thank you for reading and commenting, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
by the way, you don't have to fail action your own advice. Sometimes i give a advice, just for me to stay consistent to it and to develop myself as well.Everybody knows this one "Don't do the things to others which you don't want to feel by yourself", but not many act on it... it seems really hard and big, but when i really started doing it a month ago, it feels natural now.
Your article brings to mind, don't do as I do, do as I say. Boy I hated that. The book I loved the most I had to give away in order to break the selfish streak for books within myself. It was a hard lesson but it brought great freedom. Great article Brianna.I really hated hearing 'don't do as I do, do as I say', as well, and vowed never to use it on my kids. I've succeeded (so far). Thanks for reading and commenting Linda! I'm glad you enjoyed the article.
Brava for admitting that sometimes it is difficult to take your own advice. Endings stay with us in our heart much longer than beginnings.Thank you Grace. I think you're right when you say endings stay in our heart longer than beginnings.Thanks for reading and commenting.
hi bri,maybe YOU should write the book for this! :)you can do it, and do it well.i know just where you're coming from with "words to say" for certain things.sometimes, "i'm sorry" says it all.thanks for sharing this, i enjoyed it,my best to you,sueI'm glad you enjoyed the article Sue and appreciate hearing from you. Thanks!
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