by Connor GilliganThe books I have elected to write about in this article have had the biggest impact on my life and my happiness. Growing up I wasn’t the biggest fan of school, but I always loved to learn; this left me lost for a few years with no particular direction. This article will explain how I discovered and then rediscovered my passion for education through three works of literature that changed the way I view the world. The three books that have influenced my life the most are: The Golden Concise Encyclopedia of Mammals, The Depression Cure, and The Immoralist. David Lambert’s The Golden Concise Encyclopedia of Mammals was the book that sparked my curiosity and passion for learning. As a child, that book made me happier than anything else; it is covered in tape, all tattered and torn from years of use. I carried the book with me all the time and I loved learning about animals from around the world. I thought it was so fascinating that there were so many other living creatures on this planet, with different adaptations and characteristics. It really made me appreciate the wonder of the world around us; it made me excited to learn, and to share what I had learned with others. I remember reading about a few species of bat that eat fruit and I was so excited to share that fact with everyone I knew. I read this book the other day for the first time in a long time and was overcome with a sense of nostalgia. This book brought me some much joy as a child; it will always hold a special place in my heart. Stephen Ilardi’s The Depression Cure was the book that rekindled my desire to expand my knowledge. Shortly after returning to college I was feeling a little down in the dumps, as anyone does time to time, and this is the book that changed my outlook on life. Before this book I had never truly focused on happiness as a major part of my life. I figured if I did everything that was expected of me happiness would follow. Sadly, that just isn’t how happiness works. Happiness comes from within and it must be desired. I can honestly say that this book changed the direction of my life. I have recommended this book to all of the people closest to me and I recommend it to anyone reading this now. André Gide's The Immoralist may be one of the most thought provoking and honest books I’ve ever read. Gide writes “If there’s one thing each of them claims not to resemble its … himself. Instead he sets up a model, then imitates it; he doesn’t even choose the model he accepts it ready-made.” Having just finished The Depression Cure, I still had happiness on the brain and I especially connected with this quote. After reading this book I came to the realization that too often we let others define our happiness and that is no way to live the only life we have. I had struggled with defining what made me happy and this book helped me understand that I wasn’t alone in this struggle. For the March article, I listed some of the things that bring me joy, including fishing, writing, and woodworking (I would now add painting and reading to that list). Before I read this book I was under the assumption that happiness would eventually just come to me; after I read this book I searched for it. Happiness is about engaging in activities that you are passionate about and these books have helped me understand that. They have also helped shape me as an academic, as a writer, and as a person, and I look forward to continuing this path of learning and growing. My best piece of advice is to never stop learning. And if anything is to be taken away from this article, it is to: keep reading, expanding your knowledge, and doing what makes you happy.
1 Comment
VERONICA CICCONE
9/28/2017 08:22:20 pm
You amaze me. Every time I read one of your articles I think this is the best but then you write another one and then this is the best. Continue on this wonderful journey. You found your true self in writing, keep it up.
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