Reading a great avenue of learning
The benefits of reading are probably immeasurable and it is a perfect lubricant for the mind, but most unfortunately the love of it in our society today has dipped dramatically and it faces the threat of becoming an extinct habit if something equally dramatic is not done to reverse this trend, particularly in light of the fact that it is the younger generations who are moving away from the reading habit.

It is said that change is inevitable but those changes which are harmful to intellectual and spiritual development should be resisted with utmost force or else mankind could degenerate into decadence before we realise it.

Daniel Delcher retired officer from the US navy sums up the benefits of reading beautifully:

“For many, reading has many benefits that continue to enhance their lives. Their lives are bettered in some the following ways: mentally, spiritually and sociality. Also, if we develop a habit reading will we become more confident and self assured in abilities to comprehend and understand all types of information. Let's further examine some of the benefits of reading.”

“One of the other main benefits of reading is that it exercises your mind. Your mind begins to bend and flex mentally, It stays lose and limber so to you can flow easier through the course of the day. The regular routine ensures that the reading muscle stays in good shape as well as the mind. Just like physical exercise, there has to be a determination to make reading part of your life. If you understand the many benefits of reading, you will have no trouble adopting a regular habit of reading.”

“Reading has other benefits to the regular reader which is the ability to focus. When the mind is trained and channeled, it begins to pay attention more thoroughly. For example, when you are faced with some of life's difficult and challenging assignments, you will have the ability to stay calm and objectively look at the problem, circumstances or required task. If you continue to read, you continue to stay focused; bottom line.”

“There is perhaps no greater avenue to learning then through reading. All people, great and small, have learned more things by reading then practically anywhere other way. When we continue to read, we have the ability to expand our minds tremendously. We review the pages of knowledge left by those who came before us. We than begin to add to the knowledge as the cycle of humanity continue. The regular routine reading has positively chanced the course many peoples' lives.”

‘Finally, when we develop a practice a habit of reading, we are building solid foundation on which to build. This foundation of reading will allow us to accomplish many goals and ambitions we have for our lives. Our habit of continuing to read helps to ensure we will continue to succeed. Reading has a long and distinguish track record for establishing positive and lasting benefits to humanity.”

LeAnn R. Ralph in her article “The Benefits of Reading” also makes an interesting observation with respect to reading and the benefits to the elderly.

“Several years ago when I was working as a newspaper reporter, I interviewed a woman who was a resident at a local nursing home. She was 100 years old. And she read at least one book per week. Mostly novels. She was bright, intelligent and fun to talk with.”

"I love to read. It helps me keep up with what's going on in the world," she said. "A friend of mine brings me a new book every week. I look forward to her visits and I look forward to the books. We talk about the books we've read."

Reading has other benefits, as well.
For one thing, reading a good story can help you forget some of the problems in your own life.

"I can't get around much anymore," said the 100-year-old woman who lived in the nursing home. "When I go somewhere, I have to go in a wheelchair now. But when I read, I can go anywhere, anytime I want. And no one has to help me!"

“Reading also sets a good example for younger generations.”

“From my own experience as an English teacher, and as a substitute teacher in many elementary classrooms, I have observed that the best readers are those students who see their parents reading.”

The last point is indeed a sound one the reading habit begins with the parents and in our society that is where we should begin to address the problem of the dying reading habit.

Ironically, these days one hardly sees parents in book stores purchasing books for their children or ensuring they become a member of a library and even accompany them there to guide them on what books to borrow.

One of the excuses of parents for not purchasing books for their children is that they cannot afford it. This, undoubtedly has some merit because books are relatively expensive, however, on the other hand parents can be seen buying all sorts of ostentatious and items for their children which are of absolutely no benefit to them. And in many instances the costs of these useless items are many times more than the cost of a few books which could become a source of transformation of a child’s life.

Therefore, our efforts to rekindle the reading habit should focus on getting parents involved in pushing the reading drive which ultimately would help us to build a more enlightened society.