so what's the point of reading?
Welcome to The Wisdomous - a friendly email sent to you every week to nourish your mental wealth and give you a better perspective on life. You will find micro-lessons from macro thinkers, a great story, fabulous reads, and fun suggestions.
Hey, tribe, March is upon us, and may you enjoy it to the fullest!
The fact that you're reading this means that it's something precious to me, thank you.
World Book Day fell on March 3rd this year. UNESCO established World Book Day on April 23, 1995, to promote reading and books globally. It is observed in over 100 nations.
Despite completing the draft for my book in August of last year, I discovered throughout the editing process that the book I had written - which I still feel to be good - was not useful.
I believe some of what I've learned was conveyed in a book. But, even so, I was unable to tell myself more about my needs or what the youthful me would have desired, so I returned to the drawing or instead of the writing board - I created a dead poet society club of one - where words weren't just in notes, they had to drip on my tongue, like honey.
When it comes to being helpful and satisfying my need for knowledge, I have opted not to be concerned with perfection. But when will that day arrive? I will publish the book sooner than you think, but as a subscriber to this newsletter, I want you to be a part of the process, so keep a watch out for the next edition, in which I will explain how.
Why books?
Many people read books not as a leisure activity, but rather as a necessity or curiosity.
The young lady, who is 12 years old, enjoys reading romance books to live vicariously via the tales of attractive princesses and forbidden love - something she does not often see in the real world.
The young guy, who is just 15 years old, spends a lot of time reading because he is alone and daydreams about magical worlds full of enchantment, escapades with bilbo, and going on a journey with dwarves and elves.
As we get older, we read how to construct that IKEA desk, handle our taxes, make a side income, or pass that course that we all despise taking. As adults, we read novels primarily for their practicality, for the crucial aspect that helps us go from point A to point B in our lives.
In our rush to keep up with the ever-expanding world of online entertainment, we've been left behind in our desire to learn. Reading has a greater appeal than many other forms of expression since it requires focus and, as a result, a personal connection.
Reading needs you to slow down, stop, and delve inside; I mean reading, not just skimming. You can watch a movie and still surf Instagram, but reading requires you to slow down, halt, and dive within.
In today's fast-paced world, reading helps you to take a breather.
Reading enables you to have a close connection with yourself.
When you read, you can take your time and savour every moment.
I wrote
I learned
curated nuggets
Old age sweetnesses character
I always kept two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in.
"My alma mater was books, a good library…. I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.” - Malcolm X
weekly note
Good books are friendly things to own.
If you are busy they will wait.
They will not call you on the phone
Or wake you if the hour is late.
They stand together row by row,
Upon the low shelf or the high.
But if you're lonesome this you know:
You have a friend or two nearby.
The fellowship of books is real.
They're never noisy when you're still.
They won't disturb you at your meal.
They'll comfort you when you are ill.
The lonesome hours they'll always share.
When slighted they will not complain.
And though for them you've ceased to care
Your constant friends they'll still remain.
Good books your faults will never see
Or tell about them round the town.
If you would have their company
You merely have to take them down.
They'll help you pass the time away,
They'll counsel give if that you need.
He has true friends for night and day
Who has a few good books to read.
The Weekly question
What is your favourite book?
Until the next one,
stay safe and sound!