Reading as a Hobby with Catalytic Potential
Lately, I’ve been thinking about reading as a hobby with catalytic potential. And by that I mean there’s almost no bounds to what reading can add to a person’s life—at least, when reading is done in a particular way.
To start, reading is enjoyable in and of itself; therefore, my conviction is that it doesn’t need other ends to justify it as a means.
But just because the other ends aren’t necessary, that doesn’t mean they’re not there. Because reading can lead to some the greatest benefits possible in a person’s life. For example…
A Life of Greater Direction - in wrestling with great novels leads to reflection on themes so central to the human existence. Such as, the following:
Love and Marriage, in Pride & Prejudice.
The Spirit of Adventure, in Tom Sawyer.
What the Mark of a Real Hero is, in The Night Watchman.
The Place of God in our Suffering, in A Farewell to Arms.
Our Role in the Human Family, in The Grapes of Wrath.
And what the end of all our efforts in this life will be, in The Old Man & the Sea.
And that’s just what we’ve covered in the past five months. That kind of mental exercise leads to the regular examination of one’s own life as well. Which produces a greater sense of direction and clarity in life. It’s hard to quantify the worth of that.
A Life of Greater Variety - many writers have noted the ability of books to broaden our experiences through the imagination. That’s absolutely true. But, that’s not what I mean here. I’m talking about how novels can serve as inspiration for other activity in our lives.
Part of what I’m wanting to do with this channel moving forward is offer suggestions in that vein. Hence, the title concerning a road trip.
Our Own Local Road Trip
The Grapes of Wrath can be understood as one long, forced road trip—right down Route 66. So, it follows that one way to allow that novel to inspire some real action in life would be to take a road trip of your own.
Now, it’s important to recognize that their road trip wasn’t a matter of choice or pleasure. It was forced by suffering and led to further suffering.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no good way to lean into the spirit of the book by taking a road trip of your own.
Perhaps the best angle is just to acknowledge that—to take a road trip in gratitude, recognizing that it’s a gift to be able to do so. Not because you’re being forced off your land, or are desperate to find some place where you can make a living, but simply to spend some quality time making memories on the road with family or some friends.
That’s exactly what I’m planning to do.
Our trip is booked, just a couple of weeks away. Nothing extravagant. Just a local, one-day trip, exploring our new geographic area.
If you enjoyed The Grapes of Wrath, maybe taking a local road trip over the next few months is one way to embrace the story deeper. Whether that’s a fall color tour, a visit to a brewery tour, or to short day-trip to some sweet, slot canyon desert hike with plans for ice cream on the way home.
Whatever you decide, I hope The Grapes of Wrath gave you the chance to reflect and add greater direction to your own life, and perhaps some greater variety as well. And in that way, I hope you’ve come to see more and more how reading truly is a hobby with unbounded catalytic potential for this life.