By Marilyn Blumsack
Does this sound familiar?
-Are we there yet?
-How much longer?
-Why is it taking so long?
Chances are your answer is always the same- “Be patient!”
Post two: Patience
What is patience? As defined in the chambers English Dictionary, 1988 edition,
“Patience is the quality of being able calmly to endure suffering, toil, delay, vexation or the like; persevering; expecting with calmness.”
2020 tested our patience
Does that seem familiar and very much like what we have been going through this past year? All of us have been put to the test and had many opportunities to practice patience since March 2020, haven’t we? Frustration and adversity have become the norm and persevering without acting on annoyance and/or anger – that’s tough! Remaining calm, being more accepting and tolerant. Waiting is one of the things we don’t do well. Why is patience important? (And trying to develop patience is more important now than ever before.) It is the one virtue that serves us well. It does a lot of good to us and others and we all know that looking after your physical and mental health is very important to one’s general wellbeing – now more than ever. So how can we practice patience now? And why am I writing about this? Well, because taking time to read a book can help you to develop more patience in everything you do. Patience is not overrated for any of us and needs to be learned and practiced every day to be a successful person and reading is fundamental to our growth and development.
Exercise your mind
When we (no matter how young or old you may be) read, we analyze things and situations. The characters actions, behavior and attitude are qualities we learn and many try to emulate. Their resourcefulness, calmness and how they act stands out in every book we read whether it’s historical fiction, non-fiction, picture books, humor/comedy or a tragedy. The benefits are astonishing! Studies have linked reading to good brain health no matter your age. It is the best workout for your brain. Books are capable of doing a lot more than just entertaining the people who enjoy them. Sure, unwinding with TV at the end of a day is relaxing, but regularly reading is good for your mind, body and soul. AND reading teaches you patience! Patience after all does give us, the reader, an inner peace. It can enhance our ability to keep smiling despite the challenges we face today (during this pandemic) tomorrow or in the future. Keep reading friends – be safe and continue exercising your mind. How? Be patient and read!
As I said- patience is a virtue- practice it daily (like exercise) and you will be in a better position to deal with difficult situations with ease and poise and be a happier, healthier person.
Resources
Recommendations
Our monthly book reviews and booklists are categorized for your consideration similarly to the categories at the Y’s Little Free Library: children and adults. We hope this will help you select a book(s) of your choice. Happy reading and enjoy exercising your mind.
This month’s selections focus on the theme of patience. I read each selection in each category and highly recommend all!
Children’s Picture Books
Cyril and Pat by Emily Gravett
A tribute to the power of loving someone different from oneself despite the unlikely bond between Cyril the squirrel and pat the rat, who show fantastical adventures in spite of everyone’s opinion that they should not be friends.
The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil
When new classmates tease her, Kanzi finds comfort in wrapping up in a quilt from her teita (grandma) and writing poetry.
Cone Cat by Sarah Hawden
Jeremy the cat feels his life as he knows it is over when he returns from the vet with a giant cone around his head, but he soon learns that Cone Cat can do many things that Jeremy could not.
For Ages 3-6
Champ and Major: First Dogs by Joy McCullough
President Joe Biden’s two adorable dogs realize dad just got a really important job: President of the USA. Major will be the first shelter dog in the White House and Champ can’t wait to show him around. He knows the White House from when President Biden was Vice President!
Little Helper Toddler Baking Cookbook by Barbara Lamperti
This cookbook has everything you need to know to help you prepare and enjoy a fun baking session.
Everything for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins
Treehouses are for wonder. Treehouses are for snacks. Treehouses are for whispers and snickers and echoes. Treehouses are for everyone who loves adventures that live among branches.
For Ages 9-12
Go to www.penguin.co.uk for a list of must read books for 9-12 years old. Here are some of the titles:
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
The Unadoptables by Hana Tooke and Ayesha L. Rubio
We are the Breaker Girls by Jacqueline Wilson and Nick Sharratt
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Adult
Exit West: A Novel by Mohsin Hamid
A love story that unfolds across the rapidly changing face of a volatile world. It tells an unforgettable story of love, loyalty and courage that is both completely of our time and for all time.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Is a deeply researched piece of historical fiction based on the true story of the Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky. Troublesome had its very own traveling librarian, Cussy Mary is a blue-skin Fugate, an indomitable and valiant heroine and through her true-blue eyes, 1930s Kentucky comes to vivid and often harrowing life. Fascinating! Loved it!
The Women in the Window: A Novel by A.J. Finn
A twisty, powerful Hitchcockian thriller about an agoraphobic woman who believes she witnessed a crime in a neighboring house.