Legacy .. What your books say about you?

Have you been hit with a question that seemed to stop you in your tracks? Not because the answer eluded you but because the mere thought of what was purposed seemed to take a hold
of your mind?

Lately, I have seemed to be fixated on the thought of what my legacy to the earth and my family would be once I was no longer on this earthly realm. The question “what will others say about me when I am no longer here” or “what message will I have portrayed to those who knew me?” popped into my head a few weeks back at the most unusual time.

It all started when I was tidying up my bookshelf and organizing my craft room. I was sorting books and reminiscing about books I have read and started laughing to myself “what would the world be like if we judged each other by what we read?”

Can you imagine how confused and puzzled the world would act? Labels would have to be refined and almost tossed aside!

Think of this scenario – guys who acted macho reading harlequin books in free time! What would your mind process the information as? Could he still be macho manly man with a harlequin book in his hand?

Have you ever tried to look at someone on the street and ponder what kind of books they read? Ok, confession time I have as I love to watch people (not in creepy way) and try to incorporate what I see into my writing.

Imagine how the world would be defined if each of our perceptions of each other was based on what “great read” we held in out hand. Consider how risqué someone would be perceived as if they were reading books banned by society? Would be judge their values by what we see them read?

Suddenly I realize I have been babbling and probably not getting my point across, so I apologize!

As I was looking at the array of books I have in my arsenal, I stopped and questioned what people would perceive me as. Would future generations be confused by the vast topics I read and unable to form an opinion? Or would I be perceived as the confused one?

What do you think the world would perceive you as if they can only judge by the books on your shelf?

Here is my confession: I am a book hog and a sponge – any book that I can get my hand on I read – almost absorbs it. So my arsenal goes from true crime to religion to romance to history.

So, I wonder what my legacy would be and how the future would perceive me if looking at my kobo and my book shelf?

To be continued