What You Read Really Does Matter
By Jo Ann
@akalinus (40797)
United States
February 27, 2024 3:51pm CST
When I was a kid, I learned a lot of Bible verses. They come back to memory at times of trouble or misery. That is why we learn them. They come back when we need them.
When I was older, I read different kinds of books. I was a sophisticated adult and could read anything I wanted. I read forbidden books that my husband brought home as well as the normal books that most people read.
Like the Bible verses, the forbidden books and tragic scenes from regular books come back to haunt me. I remember whole passages of books I only read once. They pollute my mind and torment my dreams.
Years later, this stuff comes back to me in unguarded moments. I can't make it stop, it is there and should not be. Why do scenes from George Orwell or Henry Miller invade my dreams? Why do horrible images from forbidden books come back to haunt me?
I think that what we read does matter. What do you think? Do books you read decades ago affect you?
14 people like this
15 responses
@Happy2BeMe (99386)
• Canada
27 Feb
I believe so and the same goes for tv that you watch. Those things stay with you through the years. Not everything stays but there are those that impact the rest of our lives.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (40797)
• United States
28 Feb
@Happy2BeMe I don't think I dream about things I read. You are way ahead of me on that. I do have weird dreams. How do your dreams make you feel?
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@Happy2BeMe (99386)
• Canada
27 Feb
@akalinus yes I do all the time I will even have dreams about them years later out of nowhere.
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@mildredtabitha (16087)
• Nairobi, Kenya
5 Mar
You are right. Even watching movies can affect us. I hope you will forget the bad scenes you read.
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@akalinus (40797)
• United States
8 Mar
@mildredtabitha That is good. When you watch stuff like that, you have trouble sleeping and are thinking of it.
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@mildredtabitha (16087)
• Nairobi, Kenya
6 Mar
@akalinus Yes it will, you are right. I used to watch zombie and vampire movies in the past and it affected me. I don't watch them anymore.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59306)
• Sterling, Virginia
27 Feb
I don't think it matters. Certain books or parts of them can stick to you for years to follow. I've read a lot of things and what I read as a kid I don't read now.
I grew up reading books I had very little choice over picking up. I of course now read a lot of romance books sometimes something else if it interests me.
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@ShyBear88 (59306)
• Sterling, Virginia
28 Feb
@akalinus It's very normal for the brain to wonder nothing wrong with when you are reading something to be thinking of something else. It's not a crime or a sin. Brains are brains they work for no rhyme or reason other than storing information and memories and basic human functions. The Bible is just words and stories they don't set who you think or feel or what it'll trigger when you read it so don't be trying to play the blame game on yourself for you naturally wondering in your head.
2 people like this
@akalinus (40797)
• United States
28 Feb
@ShyBear88 I think things have different meanings to people. Sometimes, thoughts are intrusive at a time when they are not welcome. I don't know why they suddenly pop up like that.
@RebeccasFarm (86976)
• United States
27 Feb
I think those writers must be powerful writers for their words to stick with you from years ago.
Well I mainly only read a few books, that is besides school books.
Yes but they were good books that helped me.
Some good role models.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86976)
• United States
27 Feb
@akalinus And of course a lot of the Bible too in school as well as out.
I am sorry those that you read affected you so..
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@Deepizzaguy (95428)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Feb
I am in agreement with you that by reading dark material, it can harm all of us. Reading God's Word and letting guide us to be of Godly character.
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@akalinus (40797)
• United States
4 Mar
@Deepizzaguy Do you remember certain things you read like I do?
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@AmbiePam (86003)
• United States
27 Feb
My parents, church, and school always warned me to be careful what I put in my mind, because I would retain it. I remember an acquaintance of mine sent me a link when I was eighteen when she was in college. It was absolutely disgusting, and it was years before it didn’t pop into my head, the memory perfectly intact. I was ticked off. I don’t want garbage in my head. We all make mistakes, and we just have to repeatedly switch our brains to something else. Going back to the verses is the best thing you can do. Maybe try to memorize new ones when something bad pops up again. Read encouraging poetry. You can replace it with better things eventually. We have to keep fighting it.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53941)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Feb
Wow, your readings really affected you - and you must have a great memory! I've always had a short attention span . . . I think that's why I've always been attracted to children's books. As an artist all my life too, these stories and books fed in to my imagination. Still does.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58971)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Feb
I think that can be true for any input. I am not an advid reader. I read what I had to to graduate high school and pass English class. However, I don't read much beyond that. Unless I feel like reading fan fiction during my down time. But, since I adsorb more things through what I hear, conversations stick with me more. Interactions as well. I remember more from my anatomy and psychology classes because of the method in which we were tought. I remember Romeo and Juliet, not because I read it in school (which we did) but because I've seen a few movies. I know a few verses from Hamlet, because I've seen it potrayed in television.
So, I think how we learn is what will affect us more.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58971)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Feb
@akalinus I'm also blind and grew up as television and more importantly cable was becoming a thing. Later, movies and 'edcuational content' was common teaching methods used by my teacthers.
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@just4him (308692)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
28 Feb
I agree. What you read matters. Someone once said, garbage in, garbage out. When you put in the good stuff from God's Word, it will come back to you when you need it. When you read things you shouldn't, they too will come back to you when you least expect. Keep putting in the good stuff, God's Word, and ask God to get rid of the bad stuff.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15804)
• Raurkela, India
28 Feb
What we read does matter. I read lot of " Mills & Boons and " Dennis Robins". They are romantic books for teenagers, later I read classics but I remember the stories but don't remember any passages from those books.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (158688)
• United States
28 Feb
Bad memories are always there; and as much as we try to block them, they do come back. Just try to think about something else when that happens. Have a good day.
@RasmaSandra (74146)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Feb
I love reading and have read Bible passages but not much affects me afterward, If something really troubles your mind that could be why you are so affected,
