I came across this picture on facebook today which portrays our culture exactly. The picture contrasts great thinkers to that of a not so great thinker. A few of the great thinkers pictured to the left are: Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Paine and Stephen Hawking. And on the right is Snookie who is famous for living a self-absorbed lifestyle. Regardless if you like all the great thinkers posted, they were influential. I believe the overall point of the picture is to show what one can aspire to be if one would read (and think) more. Now I am not condemning having a good time with friends but what I am against is a drive to become better, to achieve more.
Our culture has extensive surface level knowledge that is a mile wide but one inch deep. And to combat a shallow life, here are some great benefits of reading that will inspire you to become a great thinker.
Improves the following – vocabulary, concentration and focus, memory, discipline, creativity, expertise, mental associations and activity, productivity (able to read faster), comprehension, relaxation, fundamental skills, reasoning and self-esteem, analytical thinking, and your writing.
Makes you – more interesting, able to carry on a conversation regarding just about anything, realize there is always more to learn, into a life long learner, realize that you do not know everything, have more money (cheaper than cable or a movie ticket), get away from distractions, a chick magnet (my own view), and smarter.
Here are a few good books to help you out – Confessions of a Public Speaker, The Revolution – A Manifesto, How an Economy Grows and Why it Crashes, NIV Study Bible, Broke, 1776, Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, Night, and What’s So Amazing About Grace – Visual Edition.
Please do not follow in the path of Snookie – find what you are passionate about and aspire to become like the great thinkers.
Sources:
Persistence Unlimited. The 26 Major Advantages to Reading More Books and Why 3 in 4 People Are Being Shut Out of Success
Amazon
LifeDev. 8 Benefits of Reading (or Ways Reading Makes You Better at Life)