Reading the Past, Writing the Future

September 8, 2016 marks the 50th Anniversary of International Literacy Day.  Under the guidance of UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) governments, business, private and public sectors have been working together, around the world to find ways that we can bring literacy to the ever growing world population. At the 2-day conference in Paris, France, September 8th & 9th, the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) will be launched. Everyone is excited to put into action, the plans to marry traditional learning methods with digital tools, so as to increase educational opportunities for people all around the globe.

You too, can play a part in the literacy movement. Wherever you live, regardless of the Continent or Country, please look into the organizations hosting the programs that help increase the literacy rate. Here are a couple of thoughts… Talk to the Superintendents of your Boards of Education to see how you can participate in your schools to help the children. If you are familiar with Rotary International, a human rights service organization, connect with them, as they are enthusiastic supporters of local literacy programs. Keep in mind that there are millions of adults all around the world who have slipped through the cracks of the education system. Should you be aware of someone, reach out, help however you are able, even if it is only to guide them to a program or service that can give them the tools they need.  Everyone deserves the right to live a life of dignity and self respect, that being able to read and write can offer.

You may have a business that can provide necessary funds, or be someone who can volunteer a few hours at a time, either way you can most certainly be a pro-active part of the solution!  Here is the website for the World Literacy Foundation, to guide you further.

Home

I leave you with a quote from the book, I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban.  “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.”

 

be aware

 

Choose the thoughts to share

Choose words and details with care

Forever out there

©2016 Annette Rochelle Aben

Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Challenge #113 Time & Beach

 

Whale, let me tell you

There was a time I was beached

“Twas the worst of tides

©2016 Annette Rochelle Aben

https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2016/09/05/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-113-beachtime/

National Read a Book Day

So, like I really believe that National Read a Book Day, should be every day…  Yet when I was checking the “calendar of days” sites for special days here in September, guess what I found. There is actually a National Read a Book Day! Of course, as with many of these “national days” there was no origin information. But do we really need that to celebrate? Uh, methinks not.   

 This is celebrated on September 6^th and I bring it up today, so you have a day to prepare. Perhaps send the family out on a scavenger hunt. Maybe call in “lost” to work and the only way you can “find yourself” again, is to search the pages of that book. Of course, you could “fake your own death” and “will” the rights to your story to your favorite mystery writer…  No need to thank me, I am always happy to stir the pot.

It is suggested that we read anything that we love. It could be a book from childhood, a book that you have always been meaning to start, or perhaps a book that you have been needing an excuse to finish.

Let’s say you don’t want to “just sit and read” (gee, Annette, you say that like it’s a bad thing). It was suggested that you read to someone else!  Bonzer thought here!!  Visit a shut-in, head off to your child’s school, heck, corner the dog! Don’t have a pet? Read to your walls, look in the mirror and read to yourself OR head outside and read to Mother Nature (she’s been waiting for you to visit considering you’ve been so busy with that new job and all).

If you think about it, plants need our exhaled breath…  Besides, this is a great way to show a tree that you appreciate it giving it’s life for the very paper that created that book!  So, if nothing else, read to your plants! 

You’ve no acceptable excuse here, truly, for there is always time to find time to read. You do it without thinking, right? Bet you know what the ingredients are on your cereal box (let’s hope you do). And if you’ve gotten swept up into the blog world once in a while, I know what you’ve been doing…

 National Read a Book Day is the celebratory 24 hours, set aside to remind us that books are treasure chests filled with the riches of inspiration, imagination and information. We are the seekers of wisdom, truth, entertainment and escapism and as such, we are continually on a quest. The value of what we read is incalculable. Our lives are enriched letter by letter strung together syllabically to form the words from which sentences are born. Is there nothing as exciting as making that connection with that story or that character we end up making a part of our lives?

Off with you now… fly to that book shelf, dig under the bed or charge up the electronic reading device. Then, plan the libations and chow. Make sure you stock your favorite reading spot with all you will need to fuel your body so you will have the strength to turn the pages. Toss your comfy clothes into the washer so you’ll be able to keep body, mind and soul linked in a holy trinity of pleasure! Replace light bulbs and put the Do Not Disturb sign in a handy spot, so at the break of dawn, you can hang it in a conspicuous spot!

Treat yourself, you special you. Indulge yourself, you reader, you. If nothing else, celebrate National Read a Book Day by taking a book to lunch.  Enjoy your special day, you two!

#ReadABookDay is the hashtag we are asked to use to help spread the word!

http://www.amazon.com/author/annetterochelleaben

Angel Messages September 5 2016

Your Daily Message from Angels…

TRUST the POWER of LOVE!

We love you

Every day, Angels! Every single day!!