Words as therapy

Libraries are a place of words. The written word in the form of books, magazines, newspapers, and the like can be found in most of the space. Of course you can find self-help books that can be both therapeutic and chockful of information. But what else can a library provide? The quiet, unofficial works of a library and its frequenters can be the healing that takes form through various interactions.

Many people still believe that public libraries are stuffy, silent, and boring. Libraries are nothing like that, or at least the good ones aren't. People often come to the library for their daily dose of interaction and social connection. The words that are exchanged between patrons or between library staff members and patrons are sometimes the lifelines between people. Some conversations pass undetected by those outside their bubble, while others are clearly transmitted across space. Either way, these everyday interactions weave together people's day-to-days in the simplest and purest form of communication.

Neighbors chance upon one another within our walls, old classmates create tiny reunions when they accidentally meet through our threshold, and older patrons excitedly revisit with someone they haven't seen in years right in our foyer. These conversations are healing to our well-being as it ties us into our community, giving us direct links into caring for others, and building a sense of support simply through conversing. We witness interactions like this almost every single day.

Then there are the words that pass just between our own ears. The words you tell yourself, the ones you write to yourself, the ones you create and mull over. Oftentimes, having a spare moment to sit with the thoughts and feelings we experience can be a luxury. The simple act of bringing awareness to the self builds an important skill called self-awareness. Developing this skill can lead to better decision-making, stronger relationships, and improved emotional intelligence. Imagine simply being able to think freely and understand oneself in order to improve so many things at once.

The library tends to be a place that people come to think, work, create. Through these activities, there is a sort of rhythm that oftentimes gets lost in the hurry of our days. We learn to speak to ourselves again, to draw attention to the innerworkings of our own being, the thing that is often ignored in the hustle and bustle of modern living. Through this act, we get in touch with our natural way of operating in the world. We begin to get in touch with how we move internally and how that translates externally, which can allow for a sense of calm. In the same way a baby will be soothed by the sound of caretaker's heartbeat, we can also be comforted by our own inner pattern.

It is a common thing for me to reiterate to others that the library is more than just dusty old tomes and volumes. It encompasses so much more than it is usually given credit for. Stop into your local library for books, movies, take-and-makes, and more - but stay for the connections. Your heart will thank you. 💝💗💞