Aspirations vs Reality
Reading books often appears on many people’s New Year’s resolutions, but we all know how that goes. The effort fades, and the habit never fully sticks. I, too, faced this until a change during my college years. A senior told me, “Start small.” That’s exactly how I began my journey, starting with self-development books and eventually moving on to a wide range of genres. Over the years, I have found that reading transforms you profoundly. It changes your perspective, for better or worse, and can completely alter who you are.
Warning
However, if you’re afraid of change, don’t read. The person you are today will not be the same once you embark on the journey of reading. You will leave behind a version of yourself, and you may not recognize it. The deeper you explore, the more you’ll change.
First Reason
If you don’t enjoy the idea of letting your imagination run wild, experiencing thrilling adventures, feeling the heartache of a story, or embracing love and passion through a book, then don’t bother reading. If you’re not interested in meeting historical figures or legends that changed the world, reading isn’t for you.
Second Reason
Jhumpa Lahiri perfectly encapsulates one of reading’s greatest gifts: “Books let you travel without moving your feet.” Books allow you to explore new places, cultures, and ideas without leaving your home. They challenge your perspectives and expand your worldview. But if you’re content with your comfort zone, don’t even try to read.
Third Reason
George R.R. Martin’s quote, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,” speaks to the emotional cost of reading. Each life you live through a book comes with its own struggles, pains, and joys. You will feel the characters’ emotions as if they are your own. Are you strong enough to bear the deaths, the pain, and the emotional toll of living so many lives? If not, don’t read.
Counter Reason
While ignorance might seem blissful, the truth will set you free. Reading equips you with the strength to face uncomfortable truths and allows you to see beyond the lies and manipulations that society often feeds us. It sharpens your intellect, making you impervious to deception. You’ll see through rhetoric, and you’ll gain true independence. Reading frees you from the influence of others, making you the master of your own self.
If you seek clarity, truth, and freedom, reading will transform you—if you’re ready for it.
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