HOW’S YOUR MIND?

I’ve always wanted to share about this topic and behold, the perfect opportunity.

Yesterday was WORLD BOOK DAY and as I dropped off my children at school, almost every one was dressed up as an animal character which made my youngest very uncomfortable as she clutched to me for safety. My oldest found it funny and was excited to make animal sounds which I didn’t waste time in joining in. Anyways, that’s not the reason for today’s post.

Usually, when we inquire of the well being of others, most time we are focused on their body. Today I’ll focus on your mind. How’s your mind?

According to Wikipedia, one of the key attributes of the mind is that it is a private sphere to which no one but the owner has access. No one else can “know our mind.” They can only interpret what we consciously or unconsciously communicate

According to Psychology Today, Reading improves brain connectivity and function. Literacy Works also says and I quote, “Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.”

Reading was something I learnt at a very early age. Daddy, being a lecturer and Mommy being a primary school teacher, there were a lot of books to read at home. You will always catch Dad with a book or two reading away and he never kept the information therein to himself, he always shared with us as a family.

How many of you know about the book titled – Pilgrim Progress by John Bunyan. Oh, that book was like a script in my home, as my sisters and I would often assume characters in the book and read them every night during family time. Oh how I miss those times, and I cant wait to start that tradition in my home. And I digress again.

As Christians and people of faith, reading books by other authors will do our mind and soul good. Even more, reading books of other genre. Just before you say the Bible is enough for you, let me say this. The Bible is a believer’s manual but when you want to put out fire from a building as a fire man, you need to study the fire manual to do that. So also to perform and excel in your field of study or career, you need to read books in that area.

Reading books (fiction and non fiction) transports you beyond your study or library or bedroom to a whole different world of new discoveries. It sharpens your mind and builds confidence within it’s reader.

Beyond your Bible or books in your field, read about other books like those on gardening, history, food, beauty, music, business, and even more fiction; and watch your mind grow and flourish.

If you find out that you can’t seem to concentrate on a book or you have no interest at all, try this few tips below and watch your mind go from being a desert to a flourishing garden of ideas and knowledge.

• Find a book club. (online and offline)
• Find a book that interests you.
• Read a few pages immediately after your quiet time and a few more pages before bedtime.
• Read aloud and assume a character in the book.
• When words, phrases or paragraphs make you go hmmmmm, read them over and over again.
• Surround yourself with like minded people and be happy to share what you’ve read once in a while.
• Last but not the least, get your self a good book divider and highlighter.

So now, before I drop my pen (or rest my fingers in this case), I ask you again, HOW’S YOUR MIND?

Blessings.