I think to most people who love to read, they already have a habit of building up their own libraries. To people that entertain themselves with more than words, they probably would have other medium: cassette, films, poster, paintings and the list can go on and on …
I am that type of person whose list might be a never-ending story.
I used to save breakfast money to buy comics. Then I arranged them in order and put them nicely in my closet. On my bookshelf which I didn’t have until 9th or 10th grade, I stacked all types of Magazines, mainly hospitality and education, some books, some notebooks and a lot of CDs. I felt super rich and called them my treasure. Well, they were and will always be my treasure. Even now I am so far away from them, my home in Vietnam, I can still remember the positions of almost every one of them on my bookshelf or the closet.
It’s non-negotiable at all that reading book gives you so much peace. I know people read books for many reason. Of course, you can pick a book and read for the knowledge you are yearning. But in the moments of reading, your mind is opened up once again where only you and all the images, motions and sounds from the book are living together. You are in a completely different dimension. Be it in a coffee shop, in your own nook or in the middle of a lousy party. Reading a book empowers you to be still to the surrounding and be super lively in your mind. Isn’t it fantastic?
I know people also choose reading to escape the reality. Romance or self-help books would do that pretty frequently. There’s nothing wrong with that. Choosing which reality to live in, in fact, is our free will. And again, choosing the book is choosing a scene (or many) you want to be alive in. Similar to getting hooked with a series on Netflix or some VR games, you choose what you want to experience.
Wow, I didn’t mean to write about this topic that deeply. Even though choosing your reality through picking different books is actually super fascinating. And I LOVE anything that is fascinating. Haha. Maybe next time.
But just imagine if a book can bring you to another dimension in a snap, then what can other forms of content do? Here I’d like to talk about a library of happiness, an environment that comforts and nurtures us in life. I like the idea of building a library of my own where I can have a corner, maybe in a sofa next to a bookshelf. Just laying my body down on the sofa, straighten my legs, lean back and resting on one side of the sofa, start reading some first pages of an adventure. I definitely would find happiness there. I also like to have some sunlight in that area, a little of greenery and a little of aromatic, the natural type. It’s now feeling like HEAVEN, isn’t it?
But the happiness should not stop there. Happiness is contagious and it’s a good one. So we should spread it to so many more people. I then would love to have a room next door or an open space where friends and family can come to visit my library. We would have a bar where I can serve them my coffee (MINE!) or tea made from the herb I plant in the garden. The space would then be filled with gentle and relaxing instrumental music. Hang drum or some piano or some flute, it will depend on the vibes of guest I have at that time. But I would like to ensure the most peaceful and resting feeling to everyone in the area. The frequency matters, you know.
Decor of the area would be in Bohemian style mixing with minimalism. I like the Earthy colors what give you warm but I also enjoy the neat, clarity, modernity and light from minimalist living. The centre piece of the open space or main area would be a round table where everyone can put their cups of coffee or tea on. We can sit on low chairs with cushion. Well, in another view, we can have around 3 to 4 rocking chairs, armchair in different styles. People can choose their comfy and just that, the conversation goes on.
What I also love to add is a sort of “Getting hand dirty area”. This is where the magic begins. This is where we see invisible ideas turn into shape. This section would invite you to a place of ideation, you can paint with brush or pencil and paper; you can also do ceramic for pottery or you can even have glass and woodworking area. OMG, it would be super super super delightful. I don’t know how my feeling will be to see this place in real. But I know it would be a rich source of happiness, where you can to touch your ideas and show them to the others.
I think that would do it for now. A place where we can read, write, touch, sense, create and exchange happiness would be a charming nook. The most important is the vibe we create in this place, it should be collective. You come with a smile (or not), BUT you will definitely leave with a smile and many more to share.
That should deserve the name A Library of Happiness. A good one, for me and for you, happiness creators.
26.01.2023
