Thurber believed it is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers

Since James Thurber was born in the month of December I want to take
this opportunity to call attention to some of his books that are sadly not known by many adults and children alike. The holidays give us the opportunity to be with family and what better way to celebrate the gift of family and the love that runs through a family than to share a book that offers to much pleasure and ways to connect.

Embedded in many of Thurber’s writings is the idea that it is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers. He was a man who lived his life, very much dedicated to the belief —All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why. Thurber, like the best of writers, created characters who were very much trying to figure out what makes them tick and how they fit into the world. Can there be a better idea to share and ponder with those you love?

Wishing one and all a Holiday Season filled with a shared inquiry with loved ones.

A few of Thurber’s titles—

The 13 Clocks

Many Moons

The Wonderful O

Fables for Our Times

This image best captures Thurber’s own unique brand of wisdom, and always

with humor.

Read with Owl Sight, with the intent to perceive rather than merely to see

Too many people think of reading as a mental workout—They read like hummingbirds.

How fast can they read to finish the book as if there is a finish line to cross. Readers need comprehension,

not speed in their reading .

All too often people base the merit of a book on whether you liked it or not. There is so much more to think about besides, did you like the book. For starters, are you glad you spent the time with the book?  What  of the story lingers with you? What are you left thinking about? If nothing lingers from a book, I suggest it might not have been a very satisfying read. A book is meant to make a sound in your heart.

The opposite of reading like a hummingbird is to read with Owl Sight. Owls are known for their binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight.  They rely on all their senses to survive in the natural world.

In the same way, readers must depend on all their senses when reading—what is said, what is omitted, what images does the story conjure up, what emotion does the book leave you with? Owls perceive, they see what others cannot, which is the essence of their wisdom. Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, had a companion Owl on her shoulder which revealed unseen truth to her. Owl had the ability to light up Athena’s blind side, enabling her to speak the whole truth as opposed to only a half truth.

Reading with Owl Sight allows readers to see more, feel more, and understand more.

Following knowing what happened in a story, a reader with Owl Sight looks carefully to try and perceive, to understand what they read. Owl sight takes you deeper into the reading experience, encouraging you to read the book with maybe the most relevant  of all questions a reader can ask of any book—what does this book say about life as I know it, and about life as I don’t yet know? Where are the half-truths lurking and how can I see more to uncover what is often in blind sight.