Why I read books or attend classes?

Lots of people ask me why I read books, listen to audios, and attend seminars?  When is enough?  They also wonder when do I get chance to read books?  Where do I get references to different books?  I always remember following quote:

"You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read". - attributed to Charles Jones author of Life Is Tremendous

Also, I remember what Jim Rohn says about reading: "Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it." Jim Rohn wrote number of books and one of my favorite book is Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle

So, whenever, I visit Library, I look for interesting titles.  Recently, I picked up a book, "You are your choices" by Alexandra Stoddard.  I don't know much about author, however, title is interesting and I wanted to see how she presented the topic, because I love that title.  In this book, she answered the question about why I read books very well.  That forced me to post this blog.  I will review that great book in another blog.  Here it is:

"I study philosophy every day because I know information is not inspiration.  I'm trying to absorb and discover as much as I can that is enlightening and inspiring.  Rather than filling myself up only with current events, I balance what I read with ancient philosophy in hopes of becoming influenced by its wisdom and vision.  I know I will never know very much compared to how much there is to know, but I treasure how I feel about the quality of my life and the integrity of my soul.  This is, to me, the main focus of my learning: to try to raise my consciousness to higher and deeper levelsof awareness of the beauty of life and all the mysteries that are beyond our knowing.

The important truth to remember is that how we life, how we feel, and how deeply we breathe in the divine spark, defines who we really are.  Perhaps we can try to unlearn some of the facts that are no longer true for us.  Maybe we should pay close attention to the muse of our poetic instincts.  I'd rather breathe in inspiration than be logical or literal.  It's a good feeling to know we don't know--and we never will know--the great mysteries."  --- Except from "You Are Your Choices" by Alexandra Stoddard.


Yes, that's why I read books, which vary very widely (philosophy, self help, leadership, management, sales, spirituality, Vedas, etc.).  They keep satisfying my curiosity to know this world, understand myself and others, to lead a better life in this world.

Yes, I am way different from what I was eighteen years back (in college life, only college subjects I read, nothing else).  I got introduced to books and tapes when I came to United States of America and I am more than willing to give the credit to this country.

My suggestion to you:  Enjoy books, help children to read different kind of books.  Change your commute to mobile university by listening to wonderful book summaries, or other programs available in library.  Use library and grow to make a better world.