For as long as I can remember I loved to read. When there was a book sale at school, I couldn’t wait to buy new books! When I would get punished for doing something wrong and sent to my room, I didn’t care because that meant I could read. And what parent will stop their child from reading? I remember as a child staying home sick from school and betting my father that I would finish an entire book before he got home from work. I finished the book and got some cash as a reward!
My love of reading hasn’t changed, but what I like to read has changed over the years. In my teens I loved “whodunits”, starting with Nancy Drew and then I moved on to Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. I loved trying to figure out who committed the crime. I also went through a period where I focused on African American literature because I was never exposed to these books in school. One of the things I cherish is my signed copy of The Color Purple by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Alice Walker. Later in my 30s I started a book club with a group of friends, and later one for women at my former church during Covid.
Today I still love a good mystery or thriller, but I also read to learn and grow. I try to make it a practice to read at least one book a month that challenges me and causes me to think differently. I read a lot to help me grow spiritually, as a leader and a coach. Reading can help us in so many ways. Here a few benefits of reading:
- Reading challenges us. It can provide an opportunity to grow and learn something new. Whether you want to learn a new skill, develop yourself in your position, learn about a new hobby, explore the world or grow as a leader. Reading provides a way to gain new knowledge and discover new information. Studies suggest that reading actually exercises and stimulates the brain.
- Reading entertains us. When we read, we can be transported to another place and time. It can evoke a range of emotions, including happiness and joy. Reading can help reduce stress by causing us to relax. Imagine curling up with a hot beverage, under a cozy blanket, by a fire with a good book. Sounds heavenly to me! Reading also helps us to use our imaginations, and sparks our creativity. Reading opened a whole new world to me; I’ve been blessed to travel to many of the places I read about!
- Reading changes us. For the last seven years I have read through the entire Bible each year. I’m always amazed at all of the things that I discover even though I’ve read it before. It’s a beautiful book filled with drama, romance, intrigue, history, and poetry and it is the book that has impacted my life the most. I’ve changed tremendously because of it, and it continues to challenge me to be more like Jesus every day.
So if you’re not reading, today is the day to get started! If you don’t like to read, listening to an audio book is another option. Still not a fan? Try reading articles, magazines or blog posts. Reading can be a transformative experience. What will you read that will change your life?
