Don't Have Time to Read? I'm Not Buying It!

I hear this from people all the time. I have two thoughts about it:
1) What you are really saying is, "I choose not to read." Or maybe, "I don't like to read [fiction, news, books...whatever.]
2) How did we get here from ancient times when wars were fought over the possession of books?

First of all, it's simply not true that someone doesn't have time to read. When people say this it's like they're trying to make themselves appear super important, like they're as busy as a CEO. But wait, CEOs read, don't they? They read books, newspapers, web sites, blogs...they have to keep a finger on the pulse of society and trends. Even busy people find time to read. I simply cannot buy into the fact there is no free time in a person's day. We wait in line at the grocery. We wait at the hair salon, the doctor's office, the dentist. You can choose to bring your own reading material or read a six-month-old People Magazine in the waiting room, but either way you're choosing to read--or not, but it's a choice. Another choice is music, talk radio, or audio books. People spend lots of time in cars. There IS time to read!

Did you know that St. Columcille (founder of Iona) so coveted a book that he snuck off and copyed it at night by candlelight? (Or, as the legend goes, he did not need candles because his fingers were luminous.) When he was discovered, he refused to give his copy back. Books were so rare and valuable that a war was fought over it. And the result was that Columcille end up living in Iona instead of Ireland. (Well, the result was actually more earth shattering than that!) You can read about this in my new book, Celtic Wisdom.

But whatever you do, don't say you don't have time to read!

To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'Donohue, p. 2-3.

"There are journeys we have begun that have brought us great inner riches and refinement; but we had to travel through dark valleys of difficulty and suffering. Had we known at the beginning what the journey would demand of us, we might never have set out. Yet the rewards and gifts became so vital to who we are. Through the innocence of beginning we are often seduced into growth."

Tell Me About Ireland

©Cindy Thomson, Dunluce Castle

Have you been to Ireland? Tell me when and where, and if you have any tips or do or don'ts about visiting Ireland, please share!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Update: This is a picture of when I DID get to visit the Saint Patrick Centre and meet with Dr. Tim Campbell

Since it's Saint Patrick's Day, I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you a bit about the Saint Patrick Centre in Northern Ireland. One day I'll get there to visit for sure (update: I've been there twice now!), but they've updated their web site with a wonderful video telling you all about the centre and its programs. Saint Patrick was British, probably born in the region that is now Wales, and came as a missionary to Ireland. His work was accomplished in Northern Ireland, although there are plenty of references to him in other parts, and his legend and his message speak to our common Christian heritage.

I met the director, Dr. Tim Campbell, a few years ago at the Milwaukee Irish Fest. You'll see him in the video several times. Go ahead and check out the site. You'll be glad you did. And enjoy the day as a time to celebrate all things Irish!!