The Power of the Written Word ...

Some of my fondest memories are unwinding at the end of a hectic work week curled up on my couch with a wonderful book. This is a part of me I refuse to give up! Now, since my “detour in life”, my ability to retain what I have read is frustrating at times – but the feeling I experience while reading remains with me. I have gone from reading a paragraph to almost getting past a dozen or pages, before I find myself needing to look back at who is who and what has happened on the previous pages, so that what I’m currently reading makes sense.

When the impact this detour was having on my life became a reality, I never asked “why me?” I did however ask “Now what?”. So I slowly started pulling out books that people had given me while I was in the hospital and as welcome home gifts. Over the next couple of years I would read and re-read books a few times, desperate to retain the messages within. My speech therapist R. suggested that I make notes, as I read. At first it didn’t make sense, but when I gave it a try I found that my notes simplified what I had read and served as triggers to help recall what I had read. It does not always work, but, has been a step towards helping me start picking up books again.

Some of the books that that I found inspiring the first year of my “detour in life” are pictured below;

If you are seeking answers I encourage you to read these books – they will challenge you to question things around you and help get you back into a positive way of thinking – the first step in overcoming any obstacle life presents you.