Simpleigh

Working in a book store has afforded me a unique insight into the personal lives of strangers. I have found, you are what you read.  Because what you choose to read reflects your beliefs, interests and desires.  Christians will read Christian literature, community theater college students will buy "Screenplays for Dummies," and teenagers will read Twilight.  In one glance at your merchandise, a picture of who you really are and what you really want, begins to form. First dates have already figured out this dynamic: If a guy shows up to a girls house for a date and sees  Why Men Love Bitches  sitting on the coffee table, this will be their first and last date.  Why? Because this guy can tell from one (seemingly insignificant) choice of reading material, this girl is probably bitter and possessive. Just like happy people don't read "I'm Gonna Kill Myself" books, emotionally healthy girls don't read bipolar, self help, crap.  I s...

In seventh grade, my middle school took us to Virginia for a wilderness adventure camp. The camp was AMAZING! We did so many incredible things, aka mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, zip lining, camping, rock climbing, ultimate-frisbee-ing, etc etc...  My adrenaline was so pumped every year we went to this camp, that even as a 12 year old I would wake up early and go running with the counselors before the day began. There was only one problem with the camp — they let middle school boys in.  What is it about middle school that makes boys go bat-shit crazy?  Honestly, middle school boys are the worst! ESPECIALLY when you're a middle school girl. They're like frat boys, sans the excessive drug use (unless ritalin counts). For instance, take my second year at wilderness camp: Every morning the boys would wake up at 6 am, and begin a deafening-never-ending-round of "Rise and shine and give God the glory glory!!!" Where did they learn this? We didn't go t...

Honesty, being the best policy, I need to admit something: I didn't read the bible everyday. In fact, I woke up on day 3 and realized my new good habit hadn't lasted 2 days! This shocked me. I really can't be consistent for two days?? The strange thing was I had read 40 pages worth of Christian literature, just not the bible. I actually have a history of this. I will read the most dense, esoteric theology out there, before I pick up a bible. What's the reason? I'm not sure I really know... Perhaps it's that I don't have anyone to discuss it with, and so I eventually forget what I've read — in that case why bother? Or maybe it's because I don't want to do the hard work of reflection; so I rely on someone else to tell me what to think.  Obviously the bible is important, otherwise pastors wouldn't pester us so much about reading it everyday. But why is it so important? Growing up Catholic I hardly cracked the spine of a bible ...