Ringing Bells

One evening a few months ago, I went to the library.  When it was time to check out, no one was at the front desk.  Instead, there was a bell and a sign that said “Ring Bell For Service”.

I stood there and looked at that little bell.  Then I looked around to see if anyone noticed me.  If they did, they didn’t let on.

So I took a deep breath and rang the bell.  Someone immediately appeared and happily served me.

For some reason, I’ve never liked ringing bells like that.  I’d rather catch someone’s eye and smile to let them know I’m ready, or touch them on the arm and say, “Can you help me, please?”

As I left the library, I thought about why I react the way I do to ringing bells for service.  I was reminded of a book I read years ago called The Color Code by Taylor Hartman.

The premise of the book is that all people have a dominant “colour” or personality type.  In a nutshell, “Reds” need power and respect, “Blues” need relationships and appreciation, “Whites” need peace and kindness, and “Yellows” need fun and attention.

I’m a blue-red.  My husband is a blue-white.  The book helped me understand myself, family, friends, and co-workers better.  I found it interesting to see how other colour combinations interact.

It turns out I didn’t want to ring the bell because it might interrupt or annoy someone – in other words, hurt a relationship.  I was being a true Blue.

What’s your colour?

Reading Week

The week before Christmas was a bust, but the week after was perfectly lovely.  My kids were occupied for hours at a time playing Just Dance on the Wii, so I got to snuggle on the couch and catch up on my reading.

I love to read.  When I have a book on the go, I feel like I’ve always got something to look forward to.

My favourite genres are historical fiction and Christian romance, but at Christmastime I love short stories like A Stranger For Christmas by Carol Lynn Pearson and Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright.

Lately I’ve been savouring Richard Paul Evans work, including his latest series – The Walk.  Last year The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows impressed me.

I prefer books that uplift and inspire.  I need to be a little more informed, happier, wiser, or motivated after reading a book.  If they don’t meet my criteria I feel cheated, so I’m also very picky about what I recommend to others.

For me, it’s not enough to be a page-turner.  I don’t like feeling disturbed or scared, but I guess some people do.  This past Fall I was dismayed to see some of the titles listed on the order forms that came home from the school.  It made me wonder if we’re putting literacy and the ability to read above the quality of what’s going into our heads.  I believe the books we read contribute to shaping our characters and identities, for better or for worse.  And once it’s in, it’s there to stay.

As a youth, a teacher shared the following quote with me:  “Some books are meant to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested” (Francis Bacon).  I agree.