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Dare To Read!
Transform your reading habits with clear goals, purposeful objectives, and a balanced approach to personal growth.
Reading can be a daunting task. It is so daunting that many of my coworkers and peers have resigned to the idea that reading is not for them. I get it; novels aren’t for everyone. But imagine, if you will, a 23-year-old barista studying for a basic degree. They read the headlines of articles, skim assigned essays, and read the short pre-selected passages, ultimately missing out on everything the talented authors inhabiting the world have to offer. A self-help book sits atop their nightstand without a single crease in its spine. They want so desperately to understand themselves and the world but feel ashamed reading at a snail’s pace.
So, they don’t even try.
The occasional purchase of books, articles saved on Reddit, headlines liked on Facebook, and a note on their iPhone with a list of books recommended by their friends. Reading can be uncomfortable, especially when the reader lacks a clear intention or purpose.
Yet, the true magic of reading has nothing to do with speed; it lies solely in engagement. Every word read, sentence understood, and page turned holds the potential to enrich the reader and transform their understanding of life. It is not a problem to solve, a mountain to conquer, but a dish to savour. The world of the written word is as vast as the planet we share, there is something for everybody if they dare to seek it. The barista mentioned above, and those like them need not feel ashamed of their pace; they need only find their rhythm. Whether it’s a novel, a poem, a philosophical treatise, or a short story, reading with intention, bravery, and curiosity can unlock doors to new dimensions of thought and sensation.
In our bustling world, slowing down to find one’s unique reading rhythm is an act of rebellion. It involves reclaiming one’s time and deliberately choosing to engage deeply with something rather than skimming across the surface. Within this deliberate act, the true essence of reading is found — it’s not found in an attractive Goodreads profile or a bookshelf filled to capacity, but in the journey embarked upon. So pick up a book and read even a paragraph a day; if that’s all you can do…
