What you want and what you will accept entail a lot of decision making. Naturally if you want something and you receive it, you accept it. A pleasurable experience or a defining experience, getting what you want can demonstrate whether or not you truly wanted it.
Let’s use our usual subject matter: novel reading. Currently I’m reading a novel by an author I usually enjoy and consider a good writer. I’m a few pages short of being halfway through the book and have yet to like the protagonist. Friends, that’s way too many pages into the story to remain disgusted with the guy. I might be experiencing my first attempt at not finishing a novel I started. You know how I am. I trudge through the grinders, but, you know what? I’m not sure it’s worth it anymore.
This author is worth reading, and I’ve really enjoyed several of his books. I wanted to enjoy this one. Not happening. Not only do I not like the protagonist, I don’t like his partner. And although I’m confident the author will right this ship, it just might be too late for me. I’m drowning in dislike, and that’s not a good thing at almost halfway through the story. So, if I finish it, I will have accepted the experience, and possibly will have found some pleasure toward the second half of the book. Right now, I’m not sure I can accept the effort it will take for me to get there.
I want my reading experiences to be valuable. I’m narrowing my selections to zero in on those books which can fulfill that desire. I accept those less than stellar experiences from the mistakes I make in selecting copies for review that don’t appeal to me. They’re not what I want, but I’ve an obligation to fulfill my “job”.
Here’s to finding what we want in the reading experience as opposed to merely accepting a book: Clink!
Lord, I thank you for each one who dares to put words on a page for others’ consumption. Please particularly bless those who desire to honor you with their words. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.