The Joy of Reading

 

When was the last time you read?  Do you read for pleasure or only for business?  Are your books electronic in form or do you like to handle the paper pages?

The answer to those questions goes to the heart of being a good writer, a great business person, and a fascinating adult, because, as the saying goes, reading is fundamental.  It's the basis for good adulting, containing everything from the description of a forest on a dark night to profound thoughts about the meaning of life.

I started reading before I was four years old.  I was never without a book.  When I was a kid, I would read the encyclopedia.  I would imagine being one of the animals described within the pages.  The manner in which the basic functions of the human body were described filled me with awe.

Of course, I got teased for it by my brothers and sister, and by the kids at school.  But it's such a pleasure to get lost in another world, in someone else's life, in the wonders of nature and Creation.  Interesting ideas on how to grow a strong business can be found within the pages of a book.  When you open a book and get lost in it, your body relaxes, your brain disconnects from whatever is stressing you out, and you're literally transported into another dimension.  I always feel the tension slide away when I've got a good book in my hands.  

There's been quite a bit of discussion about whether reading on an electronic device is better or worse.  To me, the bigger question is - who cares?  It's like the discussion on novels vs non-fiction, or business vs biographies.  I'm of the mind that whatever it takes to get someone to read anything other than quick news clips and quick blurbs is a really good thing.  

It takes time to get used to reading.  We get so comfortable with getting information in bite-sized bits, picking up a book may feel intimidating.  To get used to reading again, pick a subject in which you're interested.  If you own a small business or are a freelancer, perhaps read about building your business.  There are a lot of books out there and a lot of opinions, but for me, I love reading Larry Winget's books.  He hits you in the head to start, then picks you up, dusts you off, and helps you build a better business.

I love fiction more than anything, especially fiction within the Jane Austin-type genre.  I read in book form and on my phone or tablet, depending on where I am.  The nice thing about the electronic versions is that you can move between devices and not lose your place.  Then, when you're in bed or your comfy chair, you can grab the paper book and pick right up where you left off.

Regardless of the motivation, just read.  Grab a book or your tablet and get started!  It'll feed your heart and your brain.  You never know what ideas will come from it!  It's better than the best massage, and more relaxing (at least to me) than all the yoga in the world.