Markey Writes

With increased access to television online, the world of entertainment has expanded exponentially. I find myself coming home from work, cooking dinner and then curling up on the couch to watch a movie or a couple of episodes of a show available through Netflix or online sites such as GlobatTV. This is the unwinding experience – I don’t want to have to think, but rather, want to enjoy letting my mind go as it is bombarded by images and stories that I absorb visually. I have little to no time away from access to a computer where I can immediately check my email and facebook for the 100th time that day, or scan through pinterest, news sites, watch videos etc.

Growing up, we had no television – in fact, my mother still to this day has no tv. She put us in an alternative school that emphasized creativity through experience and imagination. Although I was a late reader, once I did start reading, it was my entertainment. I read and read and read. Now, I am lucky if I sit down for 20 minutes with a book before going to sleep. It is almost as if reading has become a chore that I would rather not spend time on when I am unwinding from my work day. As it it is easier for me to just watch TV than read. But why?

What comes to mind is that books take attention and commitment. To get into a book and commit to the characters and plot line, you need to spend the time getting to know the story that the author is weaving. If I don’t spend time on the book, than those sporadic 20 minutes of reading doesn’t allow me or my imagination to commit to the story being told. I don’t give it the attention that it deserves.

I think its time to turn down the visual bombardment of televisions and move towards the creative escape of a darn good book.

Since January, I have managed to make it through 4 books – my goal is to double that by Summer. Let the reading begin.