Blind Mind’s Eye

Guys, apparently, I have a blind mind’s eye. The internet (and maybe even scientists) calls it Aphantasia. With a name that cool, you’re expecting something really cool. Even blind mind’s eye sounds cool.

Here’s what it means: I can’t picture things in my head. Specifically, it is really hard for me to read fiction and imagine in my head what is going on in the story. When Tolkien beautifully describes Middle Earth, I get nothing from it. I would apologize in person, but I think he’s passed on.

I’ve learned to cope with this deficiency. I read mostly nonfiction. I went through a long period of time when I read nothing but plays. You know, drama. Shakespeare and what followed after. Arthur Miller is very good, as was Eugene O’Neill. My absolute favorite play is Our Town by Thornton Wilder. I’ll probably write a post about it sometime. You should read it first though; it’ll take you about two hours.

I chose plays because they are dialogue driven. I also enjoy books that are written in first person; I think that’s why I flew through Pride and Prejudice, but couldn’t get through the first chapter of Sense and Sensibility. Again, I would apologize in person, but…

In the end, I still read a lot. Christians are supposed to be people of the Book. We value books. Our house is filled with books. If you don’t like reading, try a new genre. If something gets in your way of obedience, break down the door. I recently told my children: you will never regret obeying God. And though I can’t picture scenes from the Bible, I still read it everyday.