Me and My Books

Oh, how I love books.

I once remember reading that a person could not love an inanimate object. This author reasoned that love was an exchange, and that something that did not breathe and have a heartbeat, could not possibly exchange the required energy.

This author did not have the passion for his books that I have.

Besides, I disagree with his basic premise. Yes, it is true that my books do not breathe. They are not a biological organism, with a beating heart and a series of systems (which I view as a good thing, since I don’t have to clean up after them!). But, no one will ever convince me that these books are not alive.

Some day we will be able to measure the life energy in anything. When that occurs we will know that even rocks are alive. The life force which binds a hydrogen electron to its core is very much alive. This vibrating, bonding energy is Love.

When something is created in Love, it resonates with that energy for all time. The books I love most were clearly written as an act of Love. Just sitting with these books inundates me with a quantifiable (even if not fully measurable yet) energetic experience. I am lifted up and feel blessed just by walking into this room of collected wisdom.

I have been collecting books for 17 years now. I can not say for sure how many books I have, but it is somewhere over 3000. I intend to have a lending library one day as part of a healing center. It may turn out that I do not lend the books at all, but simply allow individuals to sit, immersed in the loving energy captured in these writings.

I do not think my passion for books is too dysfunctional, although space is a challenge at the moment. I do not see myself as obsessive/compulsive with this hobby, although I do frequently find myself setting limits on purchases. If I was really obsessive/compulsive, I wouldn’t be able to honor these limits. Right? Please say yes.

I have been buying and selling books for 6 years now as a way of financing my habit. This is the first year where I actually have kept track of the expenditures and income. So far this year, I am a little ahead of the game. I am pleased to see that something which brings me so many hours of pleasure actually pays for itself. Thank you God!

Sometimes I sell a book that I was hoping to read, before forwarding to its new owner. When I list one of those books for sale, I set the price high to give myself a little extra time to get the book read. Occasionally, someone will surprise me and pay my elevated price for the book. I admit to feeling saddened as I pack the book up to ship away.

“Farewell friend, until our paths cross again”, I think but dare not say aloud.

OK! Perhaps I am a bit obsessive.

Oh well! I hope each of you have a pastime that stimulates your experience of joy, as my book play does for me.