A conversation with an old friend who recently read one of my blogs went like this:
She: "Forget writing... I find it hard to even read nowadays. I wonder who reads these days."
Me: "Anyone who loves the written word!"
She: "Aren't they a dying species?"
Me: "Hmm... if they are, I might be extinct soon!"
That conversation inspired me to write this post.
I want to talk about some of the wonderful benefits I've experienced because of my reading habit. It does not really matter what you read -- a book, paper, magazine, blog, research paper, publication, mail --as long as you do it regularly.
1) Reading makes you think
The single most important benefit of reading is that it makes you think. And as you think, you get new ideas, you analyse, reason, question, rationalise and somewhere try to reach a conclusion.
2) Reading makes you imagine
One of the reasons I love reading is that it makes me imagine. And imagination is great for enhancing your own visualisation skills and creativity. I don't know of any "true reader" who enjoyed a movie/ documentary better than a book. Simply because when you read, you are free to imagine anything and everything. The sky is the limit!
3) Reading makes you learn
One of the best parts of reading is that it presents before you a wonderful opportunity to learn. As you read, you tend to notice, you tend to question and reflect and truly understand; and all of these contribute phenomenally towards your own learning on one or many topics.
4) Reading improves your writing skills
If you take the time to read, you will definitely improve your literary skills over a period of time. Not only will you learn new words and be able to manipulate language better, but you will also be able to appreciate (and even create) literature ranging from prose to poetry.
5) Reading opens new doors
Reading can open the door to new friends. I know of people who are exclusively reading friends and those who developed a bond because they shared views and opinions on topics of particular relevance to them. It also fosters new ideas (I can say from personal experience that the brain generates better ideas when you read actively), new possibilities, new ways to constructively utilise your time, new experiences, new considerations, new contemplations and new harbingers.
6) Reading makes you disciplined
One of the best aspects of regular reading is that it makes you disciplined so that you are able to dedicate some time to it on a regular basis. It can be once a day or once a week or whatever suits you. But you will start rationing out some portion of your time on a regular basis for reading! And once you begin to enjoy reading it becomes a habit...
7) Reading gives you me time
Reading (and writing) gives you time to be with yourself -- in your own way, at your own pace.
8) Reading makes you view books and writers in a new light
Only when you begin to read do you begin to truly appreciate books and any reading material. You also begin to value all the books you read in life and also have a newfound respect and appreciation for the dedication and hard work of authors.
9) Reading gives you a new best friend for life
If you are into reading, you can never really be alone. All you need to take you through any kind of day, mood or situation is something to read. There are books to motivate you, cheer you up, give you solutions, entertain you and more.
Why do you think anyone should read? Leave a comment to let me know
A version of this post was published here.
![]()
Like Us On Facebook |
![]()
Follow Us On Twitter |
![]()
Contact HuffPost India
She: "Forget writing... I find it hard to even read nowadays. I wonder who reads these days."
Me: "Anyone who loves the written word!"
She: "Aren't they a dying species?"
Me: "Hmm... if they are, I might be extinct soon!"
That conversation inspired me to write this post.
I want to talk about some of the wonderful benefits I've experienced because of my reading habit. It does not really matter what you read -- a book, paper, magazine, blog, research paper, publication, mail --as long as you do it regularly.
1) Reading makes you think
The single most important benefit of reading is that it makes you think. And as you think, you get new ideas, you analyse, reason, question, rationalise and somewhere try to reach a conclusion.
2) Reading makes you imagine
One of the reasons I love reading is that it makes me imagine. And imagination is great for enhancing your own visualisation skills and creativity. I don't know of any "true reader" who enjoyed a movie/ documentary better than a book. Simply because when you read, you are free to imagine anything and everything. The sky is the limit!
3) Reading makes you learn
One of the best parts of reading is that it presents before you a wonderful opportunity to learn. As you read, you tend to notice, you tend to question and reflect and truly understand; and all of these contribute phenomenally towards your own learning on one or many topics.
4) Reading improves your writing skills
If you take the time to read, you will definitely improve your literary skills over a period of time. Not only will you learn new words and be able to manipulate language better, but you will also be able to appreciate (and even create) literature ranging from prose to poetry.
5) Reading opens new doors
Reading can open the door to new friends. I know of people who are exclusively reading friends and those who developed a bond because they shared views and opinions on topics of particular relevance to them. It also fosters new ideas (I can say from personal experience that the brain generates better ideas when you read actively), new possibilities, new ways to constructively utilise your time, new experiences, new considerations, new contemplations and new harbingers.
6) Reading makes you disciplined
One of the best aspects of regular reading is that it makes you disciplined so that you are able to dedicate some time to it on a regular basis. It can be once a day or once a week or whatever suits you. But you will start rationing out some portion of your time on a regular basis for reading! And once you begin to enjoy reading it becomes a habit...
7) Reading gives you me time
Reading (and writing) gives you time to be with yourself -- in your own way, at your own pace.
8) Reading makes you view books and writers in a new light
Only when you begin to read do you begin to truly appreciate books and any reading material. You also begin to value all the books you read in life and also have a newfound respect and appreciation for the dedication and hard work of authors.
9) Reading gives you a new best friend for life
If you are into reading, you can never really be alone. All you need to take you through any kind of day, mood or situation is something to read. There are books to motivate you, cheer you up, give you solutions, entertain you and more.
Why do you think anyone should read? Leave a comment to let me know
A version of this post was published here.
Like Us On Facebook | 
Follow Us On Twitter | 
Contact HuffPost India