Why You Should Start Reading Books
Oh, reading? Some nerdy stuff (boring), right? Nah, only readers know that reading is not boring. It’s one of the most adventurous things you can do for your brain. I got into the habit of reading when I started watching book summaries on GIGL. Wings of Fire — ah, nostalgia! It was the first book I ever read, and it took me on a journey through the life of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. After that, I was hooked, eager to dive into more and more stories.
I ventured into self-help books like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, First Things First, and The Secret. I also love reading fictional rom-com and heart-wrenching love stories. But what truly matters is the art of learning through reading.
5 Reasons to Fall in Love with Reading
1. Stepping Into Someone Else’s Shoes
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” — George R.R. Martin
One of the most amazing aspects of reading is the ability to experience life from another person’s perspective. Imagine living through the triumphs and failures of characters, understanding their thoughts, and feeling their emotions. It’s like having a superpower that lets you gain wisdom from the experiences of others. A smart person learns from their own mistakes, but a wise person learns from others’ mistakes too. If you want to gain wisdom beyond your years, read about the journeys of others. It’s like having a conversation with the wisest people across history and fiction, all from the comfort of your favourite reading spot.
2. Discovering Yourself
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” — Joseph Addison
Books give us the chance to explore our minds. Self-discovery is a crucial aspect of personal growth. When you read, you experience a broad spectrum of human emotions, helping you understand your values and aspirations. Reading elevates your understanding of yourself.
Reading books also allows you to explore your mind. Every story you dive into offers a mirror to reflect on your own experiences, beliefs, and emotions. Through the characters’ journeys, you often find yourself questioning your own decisions and values. Books help you navigate through your thoughts and feelings, providing clarity and insight. It’s like having a deep, introspective conversation with yourself, where you come out with a better understanding of who you are and what you stand for.
3. Gaining Clarity About Life’s Values and Principles
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss
Reading helps us define our values and live a life in harmony with these principles. Books are like blueprints for life. They help us define what truly matters. While reading First Things First by Stephen R. Covey, I stumbled upon a line that resonated deeply: “To live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy.” To live is to fulfil your physical and financial needs; to love is to socialize; to learn is a mental activity; and to leave a legacy is spiritual. These words encapsulate the core aspects of our existence. Books provide us with the tools to build our lives around these principles. They offer guidance on living a fulfilling life, nurturing relationships, expanding our knowledge, and leaving a lasting impact. Through the wisdom of authors, we learn to align our lives with our deepest values, leading to a more harmonious and meaningful existence.
4. Improving Articulation
Reading books significantly enhances your communication skills. I used to stumble over words and got bullied countless times in school for mispronouncing them. But once I started reading, my ability to articulate my ideas improved dramatically. Effective communication is a crucial skill for success, and reading helps you master it. Books expose you to different writing styles, diverse vocabularies, and various ways of expressing thoughts. This exposure helps you become a better speaker and writer. Whether it’s making a compelling argument, telling a captivating story, or simply having a meaningful conversation, reading equips you with the skills to communicate effectively. It’s like having a personal tutor who helps you refine your language and express your ideas clearly and confidently.
5. Boosting Imagination
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” — Jim Rohn
From Leonardo da Vinci to Marcus Aurelius, Albert Einstein to Steve Jobs, Bill Gates to Sundar Pichai, and even Shah Rukh Khan — whenever these great minds were asked what they do in their free time, they often said, “I read books.” Reading stimulates imagination, allowing you to envision characters, ideas, and entire worlds. For an aspiring entrepreneur, imagination is like time travel; it helps you envision the future of your enterprise and see possibilities others can’t.
Reading books is like a workout for your imagination. When you read, you create vivid images of characters, places, and scenarios in your mind. This imaginative exercise enhances your creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Think about it: many great minds have credited their success to their love of reading. Books inspire you to think outside the box, envision new possibilities, and dream big. For an aspiring entrepreneur, this kind of imaginative thinking is invaluable. It allows you to see potential opportunities, devise innovative solutions, and stay ahead of the curve. Reading fuels your creativity, making you a visionary in your field.
That’s all. For me, a book is a dream I hold in my hands. From personal experience, I can say that once you learn to read, you will be forever free.
Thank you for reading here. If you love reading self-help content, Please follow me and check out my other writings on the Education system ( https://medium.com/@imthiyaz2004/does-traditional-education-limit-our-true-potential-7686eb970935 ) and Self-Improvement ( https://medium.com/@imthiyaz2004/whats-missing-in-your-self-improvement-journey-3c1c2e43a4b2 )
