Ivan Ilyich

So, in an effort to further my brain stimulus and my education, I've been trying to read. This last week, I read The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy. This is a very intriguing book of self discovery for the title character. It gave me some insight as to how my mom must feel being cooped up all day with a peculiar disease, which was helpful in my understanding of her. Let's pray I can figure out how to use this to help.
This book also gave me some insight into true self discovery. Let me quote one of the most impacting lines: "...Ivan Ilyich is left there alone with the knowledge that his life has been poisoned and is poisoning other people's lives, and the poison is not wearing off, it is working its way deeper and deeper into his very being." (pg. 51) This quote made me stop and think about what poison I have in me that is working its way deeper and deeper into my very being (i.e. defining me). The startling thing is that this poison will inevitably affect everyone around me, with out me dealing with it.
Just some thoughts, now to finish The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis. It's amazing what two days off will do for your ability to read and get house projects done!