The majlis: Reading has so many benefits

The world of reading is a rich one without limitation that can always provide something to each and every one of us. If you read a book, especially a fiction novel, invariably your imagination will begin to roam, and you will become engrossed in a world full of wonderment.

Sometimes, when reading a really interesting story, we become unable to distinguish between reality and imaginary. It’s this that leads to people becoming addicted to reading. Our imagination is the human university in which we learn thinking, creativity, construction and innovation. It’s like a muscle – if it doesn’t move, it shrinks, so it’s best to keep it rolling.

One of the founding ­fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, once said: “Reading makes a full man, meditation makes a profound man, and conversation makes a man clear.” How right he was.

If reading is made to be fun, why not benefit from it? Have you recognised this feeling yet? If not, it will only be a matter of time, determination and a little research.

Don’t be like those children who say: “I don’t like reading.” Get a taste of it first, sense and feel the wonderment for yourself. That said, don’t hesitate to seek the advice of the librarian, your teacher or peers. Advance your knowledge.

The more knowledge we gain, the greater our desire to learn more. The greater our ignorance, the more we think highly of ourselves and believe that we know everything. Reading helps to develop our minds, realise other ways of living and thinking, learn about the new world, human nature, other cultures, and a wide range of other topics.

It helps you to understand the people and world around you. It’s hard to be good at education if you don’t like reading. Fluency in reading allows you to improve your performance in all areas, because you understand what you’re reading.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, once said: “We have succeeded because we have always considered that tomorrow is a new day, and what has been achieved yesterday has been achieved, and that the history we write is what we achieve in the future, not what we have accomplished in the past.”

Reading directs your mind and makes it focus on what’s going on in the story, which helps us to forget and overcome everything negative in our world. This escape is good for our health and makes us feel better. Reading is nutrition for the soul.

Saif Al Manei is a budding poet and writer.

If you have a good story to tell or an interesting issue to debate, contact Melinda Healy on [e-mail].