The Joy of Reading

So a lot of people study course books and news and of course that’s what one needs to do, right? That is what even I was told a lot of times. But then, I always wanted to read.

To be honest, I have never been much of a reader in school, I was always the overactive naughty kid who jumped into dancing, sports and dramatics- just as much as I did into debating, eating and being a pain in teachers a**. But somehow it always intrigued me to sit patiently, by myself and read for simply the pleasure and joy of it. Its always been a calling of the soul. I then started reading but somehow this question got lost in the transformation — because I was not a trained reader, like many are since childhood.

Then one day, a friend asked me- “why do you read so many books? I read only my course books and important news and I am good to go! Its such a waste of time and you just dont learn as much as you would with experience!”

Whoa. That was right, there is a lot in a lawyers platter.

So I asked myself —when there is much work, many tasks undone, many miles to walk, then why do I WANT to read. What do i gain by it?

I am just sharing the answer with you.

I think just like most joys of the heart, this is also a joy that cannot be really put into words, but then again I will try to put it in a ‘to the point’ manner — The difference between a well-trained mind and a well-educated mind can only be understood by educating oneself. We are trained to read course books and to be aware of the world we are made to read the news, but an educated mind likes to learn, to grow and to expand. The difference is quality- the difference is not in what you gain- the difference is in the journey.

Let me explain this through a feeling- Have you ever been in love that is patient and kind and with time the understanding gets clearer and even though you question the time you will be investing and the energy, it slowly smooth-ens out and brings joy to the heart — that’s exactly what a book does to the mind — when you patiently take an idea and build through it, around it , sometimes agree with it, sometimes disagree with it but with each thought, your understanding and respect for others perspective only becomes clearer, and you learn to gain and to accept ideas, apply them or atleast connect with them and that takes one to a journey that is soothing to the mind. Your experiences are given to you, they will make your story, but here — you choose a story — you choose your story!

Well to compare a little (free advice- don’t do it with people 😐) unlike a movie, which is too many thoughts, too many emotions all at once — where there is an immediate connection/ ego satisfaction/ or ‘objectivization’- you either enjoy it or you don’t like it, a book is different — it is the difference between a race and a marathon. The satisfaction that it brings hits differently.

Reading a book is a journey. Its a commitment that nourishes the mind with every thought. It is therapy, its peace to a tired mind. It is not what you gain from a book, its what you gain in the process that counts. I personally think its not what I have gained from reading the books that I have, but how much i still haven't because of the books I haven't read and this thought makes all the difference. The ideas that generate more ideas and books are food to the mind- it is an effort to keep things simple for the soul.

As much as wanted to express myself, I also want to encourage the younger lot and people of my age and if I may, the older ones, to inculcate the habit of reading, to make some effective choices and feel the simplicity in the joy of reading. :)