My book for pleasure reading this week has been Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Album.
Every time I read this book, I take away a new lesson that I can apply to some aspect of my life. For me, that is what makes a book come to life -- when you can read it again and again and continue to not only learn new lessons, but also apply them to daily living.
One of the classes I teach for Hutch CC is Cultural Anthropology, and I'm learning a LOT - not only about what culture is, but what culture isn't. In the book I mentioned above, I love what Morrie says: "Culture - don't buy into it. I don't mean you disregard every rule of your community. I don't go around naked. I don't run through red lights. The little things, I can obey. But the big things - how we think, what we value -- those you must choose yourself. You can't let anyone or any society - determine those for you." He then goes on to say, "It's the same for women not being thin enough, or men not being rich enough. It's just what our culture would have you believe. Don't believe it."
It reminds me that those personal views in life are all mine, and I don't have to agree or disagree with someone based on who they are, where they are from, how they were raised, or where they worship. Those thoughts and values are mine, and it is up to me to live accordingly.
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Until next Tuesday, think on these wise words...
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