Running and Reading

I have to admit when I was in high school I wasn't the biggest fan of reading. And looking back now it's a bit of a shame. Maybe it was all of the novels that I was forced to read, like Stone Angel, that deterred me. I just couldn't get through some of those books. And I realize now, that that's fine. If a book is boring, it's alright to put it down and move on. Regardless on whether the book is influential or classical or what not.

Fast forward to after University, and I discovered reading as a hobby and passion. I figured, what would happen if I read books that interested me instead of books that I was forced to read. Well, as simple as it may sound, I got hooked. What's funny is that I actually went back and read some of the classic books that were pushed in high school, and had a better appreciation for them. Maybe because I related better to them. I also started getting into business books and as you can tell from a lot of my posts, I got into productivity books and self help. And for me, I'll read anything, be it fiction or non-fiction.

I don't think I really understood how important reading was until only later in my life. I think growing up in the comfort of our educational system, we take it for granted. Sadly, there are people in our world who don't have the opportunity or the resources to learn to read. And that's a shame.

I really do believe that reading is the foundation for any individual to succeed. It doesn't matter what you have, if you are able to read you can accomplish pretty much anything. If you look at many of the great leaders in our society most of them always preach the importance of a book. If you look at Oprah, who is astoundingly successful, all she does is read.

And every time I'm at a conference or attending a speech, the person usually speaking talks about a book that he's read or recommends. I don't think it's any coincidence that people who explore new ideas and enjoy learning from a book, go on to become successful. I'm not saying it's the only way, but I am saying it's rather coincidental.

So that being said, here's one of my favourite videos by my main man Will Smith that always gets me fired up. I could write an entire post on Will Smith and my thoughts on how I think he is one of the hardest working, amazing celebrities of our time, but I would digress.

So enjoy and pick up a book or two:



And as for running. I'll have to write another post on why I love it.

So tell me, what has been your experience with reading? Do you like it?