reading

Reading stimulates the creative area of the mind to produce alternate realities. There is no substitute for reading. As the commercial says, "Reading is Fundamental".

I can remember the first time I got lost in a book. I was in second grade, sitting in the library with the rest of my class, and the teacher was calling my name as the class was over. I never heard her. I was so enthralled with reading that the rest of the class was out the door and teacher had to come over to me and tap me on the shoulder. That is the power of reading. From that moment on, I knew I had found something special. I thought that reading was the ticket to go places, experience things, and immerse myself so completely all with the power of a good book. I have never found a valid replacement for reading.

Reading provides a plethora of notable benefits to those who actively engage in it. Reading is an adventure, a learning experience, and a gateway to places and people we may not otherwise encounter. Those who possess a love of the written word view it as a true gift, and one not to be taken for granted.

Fiction and non-fiction works alike offer a distinct and unique set of qualities to the reader. Creative writing in the forms of novels, poems, and short stories, among others, have the ability to transport readers to diverse periods of time, and locations quite different from their own. These pieces let us travel through history, and present an escape from the pressure and strain of everyday life. One can instantly become anything or anyone through the magic of reading, if only for the duration of the book. A regal king or queen, a secret agent, or a modern-day or ancient hero, the list is virtually endless. A child's imagination is sparked when they are absorbed in the activity of reading as well, permitting him to tap into his own creative powers. The same holds true for the adult who reads on a regular basis. The imaginative faculties which may have lain dormant for some time are renewed and revitalized through reading. Inspiration and ideas are granted permission to flow freely. Reading also evokes a multitude of feelings within us. We are able to laugh, to cry, to relate, and to remember as we read creative literature.

The reading of non-fiction works offers an alternative advantage. Knowledge is the ruler of these types of writings. Information on all people, places, and things is gained in abundant supply, and the quest for insight into a vast expanse of subject matter can be quickly satisfied. Biographies of famous individuals, travel guides, reference books, and textbooks, to name but a few, all assist the reader in the act of learning. It is said that knowledge is power, and the reading of non-fiction offers little choice but for the reader to acquire it.

Reading goes beyond being merely important. It is an essential element in broadening our knowledge and understanding of the world around us. It allows us to rise to higher levels of creativity and intelligence. Reading also enables people of all ages to participate in a pastime which surpasses expectations. One in which we leave with far more in our possession than we had when we arrived.

Words comprised of letters, sentences comprised of words and books comprised of sentences - they all bring pictures, stories, events and emotions to life in our minds and help us to comprehend things that would otherwise remain unknown to us.