do it yourself FREEDOM

Impacts: Mind

“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.” – Francis Bacon

“Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.” – Socrates

Many people make little time to read. But reading is one of those brain feeding activities that helps us relax and think, no matter the subject. In other words you don’t have to read something really meaningful to feed your brain and give yourself a break. Reading anything is a positive step in the right direction.

Reading helps you sustain your personal freedom by giving you time to think and relax. If you read things that make you think you’ll find yourself better practiced in listening and able to process new ideas. You’ll become more aware of the impacts to your life from the things around you simply because you’re brain is accustomed to thinking, processing, and inquiring.

At first the cost in time might seem expensive, but once you find that reading nicely replaces time once occupied by things like television, you’ll realize that your time had not been wasted. In fact this is one of those little things you can do that pays you back in time recaptured.

The larger net effect of a larger number of people reading is a more thoughtful and connected community. Fewer people would spend their free time watching television. More parents would spend more time with their kids. More people would spend time thinking about ideas and issues instead of the sound bites we call news.

Take Action

• Read things that teach you something.
• Try reading things with opposing views. Reading things that are one-sided will keep you one-sided and closed minded. If you consider yourself liberal, read some conservative stuff. If you consider yourself conservative read some liberal stuff.
• Read things you like to read. If all you like to read is romance novels by all means read more romance novels. The most important thing is to feed your brain, relax, and recapture time.