The Old Ways

I went to the library to check out a book. You might be asking, why? I probably could have gotten the information off the internet or via an electronic reader version, but I wanted to be able to turn the pages and touch the text. I wanted to interact with something physical, not just a screen. I wanted to feel the pages in my fingers and the slick, smooth surface of the photos and illustrations of the content. I wanted to be able to check different resources and versions, check other books and walk around while experiencing all the options in one space.

I had forgotten what the inside of the library looked like. It had been many years since I had visited, and once I walked in the door I scolded myself for not visiting sooner. If what you need is not there, they can get it. There are professional people who’s job it is to help you find what you want. And there is peace and quiet in abundance no matter which way you turn. The library is an institution built to worship knowledge, and all too often we forget that and simply gather our knowledge online.

Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. There is something special about traveling rows and rows and rows of books on every topic you can imagine. It is amazing to be surrounded by knowledge, wisdom, and research. To be able to absorb the information with all your senses, and to be able to learn whatever you want. To have the freedom to open any book and read anything you want without fear of censorship or harm. The library is set up to do all this, and yet we drive by the buildings all too often forgetting why they exist.

The old ways requires that we slow down, exist in the quiet of life without technology, and we have to act with intention. We must be conformable with ourselves and knowing that we don’t know it all. The old ways demand interaction with us, not just passive attention. They expect us to cooperate and work to reach the goal, not just sit by and wait for the words to scroll. No one gets what they want simply by showing up, the old ways require and demand work. We are better people with character, honesty and truth by our side as we forge our way through the learning process. We become not simply show up. We develop and grow when we participate, and we value what is learned or gained because we had to participate to get there.

It may seem a bit old fashioned to visit the library, yet I plan to do it more often. I have missed so much by simply telling information scroll by on a screen. I plan to remedy that situation and visit often. I challenge you to do the same, practice the old ways.