Miserable Saturday Morning - The Rekindling a Passion for Reading

It’s universal knowledge that weekends are for revitalising, refreshing, and simply enjoying oneself.

We’re blessed with beautiful weather here in the south-east, which often means weekends are spent outdoors. Chasing sunrises, climbing mountains, camping, fishing, and days at the beach.

But when the weather takes a turn for the worse, it’s hard to be imprisoned within the parameter of your own home. Today was one of those days of course. Cold, wet, and miserable.

My wife wanted to get some study done today, and was keen for a change of scenery to get the motivational juices flowing. Somewhere a little less bleak.

I wasn’t the biggest reader growing up, as sport dominated my childhood. I did possess a passion for reading however, and definitely became encaptured and entranced within my fair share of novels growing up.

I think I loved the ability to escape from the everyday hustle of life. A good book to me provided a portal to delve into the world of somebody else. An opportunity to experience ideas from a different perspective, engaging an element of higher level thinking.

So when my wife said let’s go to a local library, I said why not.

Redcliffe Public Library

I’m going to be honest, I can’t remember the last time I set foot in a library? As soon as I walked in I was surprised by the vibrancy of colours, quietly wondering to myself.. why the hell not?

It was like I had wondered into another dimension, and there was an endless supply of opportunities presented before me. Where do I even start?

First things first, find somewhere comfortable to set up camp and go from there.

Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve always loved auto-biographies. The opportunity to tap into the psychological elements of what makes successful and interesting humans tick. That, as well as the insight into different phases of their lives, the experiences they’ve endured, and the lessons they have learnt.

That got me thinking about a conversation I had the other day with @new.things where he mentioned an endurance icon, that to his shock I had never heard of. Apparently he has some awesome podcasts out there, but today I thought that is where I’ll start by hunting down his book.

Can’t Hurt Me, Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

David Goggins is a retired Navy Seal. A former Guinness World Record holder (4030 pull-ups over seventeen hours). Also he has completed more than sixty ultra-marathons and triathlons, where he has set numerous course records.

The book focuses on an astonishing transformation from a childhood of poverty, horrific physical abuse from his father, and societal prejudice. These events left him depressed and severely overweight as a young man.

However through his own mental toughness, discipline, and work ethic he transitioned himself into an American icon. A Navy Seal, ultra-endurance athlete, and a much sought after public speaker, with successes one could only dream of.

This book shares the essence of his life story, illuminating a path he believes to help others push past their struggles in order to reach their full potential.

Rekindling My Passion For Reading

Once I picked up the book I was instantly hooked. I guess I’m a sucker for seeing people overcoming such horrific adversity and circumstances.

Within the two hours spent there, I managed to get about 100 pages deep into this book, just under a third of the way. I can guarantee I will have it finished by the end of the weekend. That’s how I know my passion is rekindled.

The first few chapters delve into the horrific childhood he was dealt, and is a pretty saddening read at times. No child, or let alone human should ever have to experience the ordeals bestowed upon him.

I’m bit of introvert if I’m being honest, so being tucked up in a comfortable corner of the library was quite refreshing. I had forgotten about the awful weather outside, as I was surrounded by the vibrant colours of all the books.

That feeling of distancing yourself from your everyday life, what I’d call a mental vacation from the stresses of your life. When you pick up a good book this is the reality, and this morning reminded me of that.

So today wasn’t really a miserable morning after all was it?