If you aren't a frequent reader, I want to offer you 3 reasons to broaden your reading diet. First, let me tell you a little about why I'm writing this. Until high school, I barely spent any time reading if I wasn't assigned a text. I made so many assumptions about people around me without ever getting a sense of who they were or how they were similar to me. Looking back, I couldn't imagine what sort of person I would be if I hadn't spent any time reading for myself. If you're not a big reader, or if you're only an occasional reader, continue reading for some insight into what reading has done for me.
1. Reading can change you.
I am careful to fit novels into my reading diet. I'm usually after narrative stories that show me the world through a character's senses and thoughts. Reading fiction like this provides a sort of case study that lets people into scenarios, fictionalized mental states being formed by fictional people. It's "people practice." It's a way for me to build a framework to understand the mental states of others through examples thrown up by effective writers. I think this is a good way to develop emotional intelligence, and research has been published showing that our assessment of mental states can be influenced by fictional scenarios.
One of the best novels I've ever read was Daniel Keyes's Flowers for Algernon. This novel covers the emotional reality of protagonist Charlie Gordon, a mentally impaired 32-year-old man who undergoes experimental brain surgery by a team of scientists hoping to crack the code to intelligence.
At first, Charlie's writing is the same before and after the surgery. However, Charlie's handwriting quickly improves, along with the depth of his emotional awareness as he begins learning to read. In short order, Charlie surpasses the intellect of the scientists. The reader gets to access his every thought and reflection. When his heart is broken by the realization that those he has worked alongside in a bakery for several years have been mocking and abusing him for most of his adult life, we get vivid insights into what that must be life for someone. Throughout the novel, we share Charlie's pain as his intelligence begins to falter, but even after losing his brilliance, we see that he retains some of the lessons he learned.
Books like Flowers for Algernon have undoubtedly made me a more heartfelt, loving person. I no longer let myself think of people as "stupid." It's like a dirty word to me, having seen a fictional but intense example of the world within the minds of others.
2. Reading is an investment.
Whenever you read, it takes time. Time is short. Assuming I'm going to die at, say, 60 years of age, I have 3,128 weeks to enjoy. I'm 20, so let's just say I have 2,086 of those weeks left. It's a good chunk of time! However, I have a confession to make. Recently I learned that the YouTube app has a feature that allows you to see tithe time you spend watching videos every week. I clocked an average of 30 hours a week. That makes 5 total days every month. That makes 60 days or 8.5 weeks in the year. I only have 305 days every year to work, study and connect with people.
Imagine if I took the time to spend 30 hours a week reading. I think, in a lot of ways, it's a much better investment for me. This would add up to about 320 weeks throughout the rest of my life. Six years of my life, or at least part of that, will be committed to reading every week from now on. I highly recommend that you diversify your media diet as well.
3. Selective reading can inspire lifelong learning.
I try to get my hands on every kind of book I can. I enjoy absorbing as much information as I can. I don't recommend that anyone put up with those headaches unless they're passionate about certain subjects, but you should dive deep into the thing you're passionate about. There is so much to learn on just about any topic you could imagine. From art in the 1930s to the future of farting (it's a real book).
Pick up a book because there are more than you could count in the world. I guarantee that there is more than a lifetime's worth of those books that you're going to love.
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