I’ve read thirty-five books this year, and I’d like to share a few excerpts from some of them.
I read “Up from Slavery” by Booker T. Washington, and I was amazed by his courage and work ethic when the obstacles seemed insurmountable. He traveled from rural West Virginia to Hampton Normal School, during which travel, he slept underneath a raised sidewalk when he was refused a hotel room. Below are a few quotes from his book:
“Great men cultivate love. Only little men cherish a spirit of hatred. Assistance given to the weak makes the one who gives it strong. Oppression of the unfortunate makes one weak.”
“I would permit no man, no matter what his color might be, to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.”
I think we might need to read that last line again. Maybe ten more times. And perhaps we should personalize it. Keep in mind, I don’t think you need to reread it. I am merely thinking of myself. I’ll admit I need to reread and personalize those statements.
I will not permit anyone to narrow or degrade my soul by making me hate him. Great men (and women) cultivate love. Only little men (and women) cherish a spirit of hatred.
I want to be a cultivator.
Another book I’ve read is by Andy Andrews. How does a guy get a first and last name that is the same? Andrew Andrews. I would’ve liked to be there for his parents’ conversation.
“Honey, I like my last name so much, I want to name our first-born son Andrew Andrews.”
“That’s ridiculous, Tom! I will not.”
“But we can call him Andy.”
“Okay. That’ll work.”
I know, I know. That was not a very interesting made-up conversation. It’s all I got.
Here are some quotes from his book:
Myth #1: It takes time to change.
Change happens in a heartbeat. In the snap of a finger. In the blink of an eye. It may take time to prepare to change. It may take time to decide to change. But true change, when it occurs, happens instantaneously.
Myth #2: A person has to want to change.
Change can happen whether you want it or not. Consider occasions in your life when everything was moving in a particular direction. Things seemed stable and on their usual course. But something happened, whether good or bad, and things changed forever. You didn’t want it, nor did you desire it, but things changed. And you changed with them. And it happened in a heartbeat.
Myth #3: A person won’t change until he’s hit rock bottom.
This is believed universally and is a cliche, but it is verifiably inaccurate. What is a rock bottom anyway? People well above rock bottom and without much desire to change do change.
Two things have to be in place for something to change.
Change Ingredient #1: What’s in it for me?
To change or accept change in our lives, we must know that there is something in it for us. No one wants to change when they know they will not come through it better than they were before. Romans 8:28 comes to mind. When God is at the center of our lives, ALL things, all change, whether good or bad, work together for good.
Change Ingredient #2: Proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
For people to change, they must know the truth. They must be convinced that what they are doing is not working and that what they will do after the change will be much more effective than the current methods.
Proof trumps uncertainty. And the proof is evidence strong enough to convince. No one will choose to change if there is no true proof to back up our claims.
Another book I’m currently reading is “God is Always Hiring” by Regina Brett.
She wrote: “I have never lived outside of Ohio. I went through phases and fads of wanting to leave for more money, prestige, and fulfillment. But I’ve learned to not go searching for my heart’s desire any farther than my own backyard. And that we don’t need to be anywhere but in the present moment to find fulfillment. If you take the time to stop and look around you, the landscape of your life will never cease to amaze you.”
Someone told me once, “I only read the books of authors who are dead.” But I read in a book by an author very much alive that said, “Don’t expect others to read your work if you aren’t willing to read theirs.”
So I’ve been doubling down on reading the books of authors who are currently utilizing H2O in its natural capacity.
I hope these excerpts have helped you somewhat.
We will never be so wise nor holy to cease learning from others. In fact, to believe that no one has anything to say that we can glean from might reveal that we are not wise and are instead conceited and haughty.
to myself,
– Caleb
caneymountainblog.com 