It is strange how a single word – books – can evoke a myriad of memories, almost in a flashback-like manner. It all started back in my school days, when me and my siblings would fight for the best stickers for our brown-cover books. Looking back on those days, it never occurred to me that books will become such an important part of my life.
I did not come from a very impressive academic background. That was probably the reason why I never got any proper exposure to good books. It was only after I gave up on my studies that I actually started reading. Yes, you read that right.
My financial circumstances cut short my academic life after my twelfth-grade. I started doing odd jobs to make ends meet. It was during those days that I started reading. My first book was Jeffrey Archer’s Kane and Abel. It eventually turned out to be the book that shaped and defined my personality for the years to come. As Mr. Archer has rightly quoted in his book:
If you have to pay a bill, always make it look as if the amount is of no consequence. If you take care of the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves.
These words made me realize that success never occurs by chance; one needs to take bold steps to become successful. You cannot dream about becoming a shining star without actually burning yourself out. And that was when I decided to start writing. It eventually proved to be a decision that changed my life completely.
Writing has helped me overcome my fears, anxiety, and depression. It has been no less than a therapy. While it is not always easy to express yourself in the real world, books let you do so without judging you for it. As for me, they invariably motivate me to transfer all my feelings onto a piece of paper.
Believe me, you don’t need to be a Tagore or a Shakespeare to express yourself. You may lack their flair, but your words and feelings can be as original and inspiring as theirs.
For me, books are not just an inspiration, but also a teacher, a guide, and an effective stress-buster. They helped me evolve as a person and gave me the confidence to pen down my emotions. Contrary to what many motivational speakers may tell you, I don’t think you need to take any exorbitant courses to be able to express yourself. Any book – educational, inspirational, or even something as simple as a cookbook – can inspire you to be yourself.
In a material world where everything becomes outdated sooner or later, words are perhaps the only thing that will never go out of fashion. A few words coming together to form a heart-warming sentence is nothing less than a miracle in itself, and blessed are the ones who have perfected this timeless art. Someday, I want to own a collection of books that I can look at and proudly claim them as the legacy I will leave behind for the generations to come.
A NOTE TO OUR READERS
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