BOOK CLUB
“Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled “This could change your life.””
I wasn't much of a reader growing up and it's because I never made it a priority, especially with the plethora of video games I had access to and the abundant amount of sports and television that I prioritized over reading. However, reading has been the greatest stepping stone in overcoming my ailments and rewiring my mind. You hear knowledge is power and leaders are readers but until you actually begin to experience the benefits, that's the only way you'll truly understand how powerful the brain truly is and just like any muscle you must train it! Not a day goes by without reading!
“Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light.”
If you listen to as many podcasts as I do, you will notice that the interviewers are constantly curious as to what the guests read. You will hear questions phrased a certain way to tease out the books that have truly changed their lives. I love how Tim Ferriss asks his question to his podcast guests. Rather than simply ask, "what are your favorite books?" Tim asks them, "Which book or books have you gifted the most?"
I love the phrasing here because it creates a more conscious and concise response. I take that into my real life because I've read thousands of books, however, I have a small handful of books I gift or recommend. I suppose those are my power books. The books I see true value in and hopefully my friends and colleagues will benefit from its teachings as well. Ever since I started truly reading I began asking everyone I looked up to or admired what their favorite books were and why that book? Curiosity is a great gift and if you are constantly seeking and learning please embrace it because it's this type of thinking that has advanced the human species thus far.
“What book or books have you gifted the most?”
I know what some of you are thinking.
"Oh I don't really have time to read?"
I call bullshit here, because we have time for exactly everything we make time for.
- if you watch tv you have time
- if you go to bars you have time
- if you go to the movies you have time
- if you play video games you have time
- if you go to concerts you have time
- if you attend sporting events you have time
I'm not saying not to do those things that bring you joy, but all of those things, do they not also require time? Everything we do is an exchange of our time to experience that thing. It's the greatest of currencies and unlike dollar dollar bills, we can not get our time back. You have to be wise with it and ultimately you will allocate your minutes and hours to the things that matter.
So rather than say, "I don't have time to read", proper phrasing should be as follows, "Reading is not that important to me." Whether you believe it or not, what keeps you from greatness is an internal dialogue that manifests through excuses.
“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.”
I love this quote by Mason Cooley and it resonates with me on a deeply spiritual and personal level. When I was bedridden and unable to walk or move I began to read and it allowed me to teleport for moments every day. I would experience a life of espionage with James bond in an Ian Flemings' novel. Then I discovered the poverty and underground of Bombay through the eyes of Gregory David Roberts in his beautifully written novel, Shantaram.
I was dying and had no clue what was going on with me but books reminded me how to feel. They reminded me about the softness and tender love of a woman. They reminded me how to love when all felt truly lost.