If You're Gonna Use, at Least Re-Use

Today was a good day. It was one of those days where you feel really positive about being independent. I started off my day by going to a campus chapel service by myself. It was sad to see how few students were in attendance at the service. I think I'll try to go more often.

After that, I went out to lunch with a bunch of friends. While I don't spend much time with this group, it was a reminder that I should spend more. They're fun people and I know I could bond with them much better if I just made the effort to see them more often.

But after lunch was when I had the most success of the day. I had heard about this huge used-book sale which benefits the local library. Apparently, tons of people donate books and then tons of people come and buy these used books. I've heard that people will go and buy a huge stack of books and then they'll donate those books back to the organization once they've read them. Because of this reciprocity, there's a really great cycle. These books get a lot of love and a lot of chances to affect people. I went to the book sale and loved it.

I had a great time finding things, but I have to admit that I bought way more things for my friends and family than I did for myself. That's probably what makes me feel so positive about it. I won't go into details about all the things I bought but I will say that I bought 3 records (two of which still have the original packaging to protect them) and 8 books, all of which (except for one about vegetables) are in other languages which is what makes them so cool.

Q: Guess how much I spent?

A: $1.70

Sure, these books are old. And they probably smell a little musty. But they have character and rich histories. I could be the 5th or 6th owner of each of these books. And how does it feel? Well, not only am I benefiting from the ways in which I will learn from the books as I read them, but I am also sharing in their history. I helped a local library and even helped build the community in which I live by participating in such an event. I only bought books that had already been produced- thus saving more virgin forests from being cleared.

Everybody should read books. Everybody could read more books. It is a way of learning and relaxing. I'll be the first to admit that I don't do it nearly often enough. But I will. And if you're going to buy a book, why not buy it already used? The publishing houses don't really need your patronage (they're just fine), but the environment sure could use your help!

If you're gonna use, at least re-use.