Well it sure has been a while since I posted one of these. I know reading is good for me, and I have really had to make a concentrated effort to read more. I get distracted or busy, fall off of reading and then never get back on it. So I haven't posted one of these in almost a year, because well...I haven't finished a book in almost a year.
That being said, I started a new book about a month ago and then shortly there after a student of mine recommended a book they were reading. I finished that book in about 2 weeks (maybe 3) which was my goal. I have read almost every day these past 2 weeks and I HIGHLY recommend it. I find I like to read when I get stressed or worked up. I also carry a notepad around with me when I read incase I have ideas, thoughts, etc. that I need to get out of my head. Both of which have been helpful as we reach the end of the indoor season, the end of the school year and the start of marching band design.
Anyway's, so what is "Ryan Reedin'?" The book is titled "Get Out Of Your Head" (again a recommendation by a student and probably a message they were trying to send me haha) by Jennie Allen. The subtitle is "Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts." The premise behind the book is amazing. It is about taking control of your thoughts before they cause you to go down a rabbit hole of negativity.
Now, here is where I am going to lose some people. It is also through the lease of religion and focusing your thoughts on God. If that is not your thing (and that is fine) you can probably stop reading now, I would not recommend this book for you. Since I moved to Cincinnati about 4 years ago now, I have rediscover my faith and taken some large strides in that. I have no interest in forcing my thoughts on people, but am happy to discuss with those that want to.
Now, the book doesn't force religion down your throat it just has a number of "avenues" to take control of your thoughts that are rooted in religion. Those "avenues" as follows -
1) Being still (less chaos/hustle)
2) Choosing to be known (seen and heard)/Seek Community
3) Not letting fear take control of you
4) Removing negative distractions
5) Serving others/putting others first
6) Being grateful
7) Seeking good in others (and the world)
All of those things are "no duh" things but also go against most human nature. At least, I find that I struggle with these at different times and different circumstances.
Now, I enjoyed reading this book, BUT I did have some areas where I feel like the author makes a point and then contradicts it later in the book. The biggest one for me is in in Chapter 5 (each number above is a chapter), the author talks about serving others by making yourself less important. I would argue with that point that you don't lift others by lowering yourself, but lifting them up to you (or above you). She states that we should not seek validation, greatness, etc. that focus on ourselves. Taking just the greatness aspect of that, we are all born with a gift that we have natural talent or draw to. If we are not to seek greatness, or validation, then why were we born with a gift and ambition for that gift? Is that gift NOT how we can make an impact on the world and those around us?
Later though in Chapter 7 (titled "Run Your Race") the author talks about fighting against complacency. But in Chapter 5, we are suppose to make ourselves less important. In Chapter 7, we should work hard but in Chapter 5 we should not seek greatness.
This is my only problem with the book. Overall it is a good, and easy, read. It will also, hopefully, make you think. I obviously thought about how there were contradictions in the book, but I also thought about how my faith is positively impacting my life. It make me realize that things I have been called to do and how grateful I am to have those things and people.
If all of this sounds like something you would be interested in then "Get Our Of Your Head" is for you. Much like "Relentless," the last book I wrote about, this will not be for everyone. It was for me because it got me thinking.
Now, I am going to get back to the book that originally got me reading again. Hopefully I won't get distracted and stop reading again for the rest of the year.
Comments