Why We Should Read… a little more

Why We Should Read… a little more

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Did you know that there are nearly 800 million people around the world today who cannot read? All 320 of us can, but so many others can’t. And that’s when we realize just how important reading really is.

 

There was a time, without any screens, when reading was a popular leisure activity. People would spend hours reading and travelling to distant, exotic lands -in their minds, with only a leather bound book. But somewhere along the road, the passion to read is lost. And that’s just sad because reading offers a completely new life.

 

Sir Francis Bacon, once said, and I quote, “Reading maketh a full man.” And he couldn’t be more correct.

 

Reading involves a considerable level of concentration and thus, nurtures patience. Such an indulgence constantly elevates one’s vocabulary and knowledge. In fact, the habit can become a healthy addiction and helps us to stay in-touch with contemporary writers as well as those from the past. It also helps us to deal with issues of the modern world.

 

 Reading different types of texts make an even fuller man. What I mean is that he kind of knowledge you get from news articles is very different from reading stories.

 

Being ignorant can be prevented with reading. It opens this huge wooden window and we finally start understanding other people and their lives. And a deeper awareness leads to tolerance and respect, creating a more civilized society.

 

Furthermore, when one is caught up in a book, one comes across an array of emotions and somewhere in the middle; we find the sheer happiness of the reader.

Lack of reading in one’s life can hinder, gaining new knowledge, professional growth and the pure pleasure of reading. After all, no reading might even disturb one’s integrity. According to Confucius, we must find time for reading or surrender to “self-chosen ignorance”.

You guys, reading is not merely a process of examining and understanding a text. There is a certain aura of finesse around one who reads. If a person can obtain so much from it, I think it’s safe to say that reading make a man.

On writing

On writing

thoughtless musings with senseless meanings

I know my skills as a writer aren’t as polished as I like it to be. How ironic is that the skill in question’s only way to improve is to write more and that I don’t write more because I feel like I’m not good enough. Crystal-clear clarity is what I aim for, and I am not always as articulate as I’d like.

I am frustrated, because I can’t write what I like, and I don’t like what I write. But I love writing. I love stringing words into sentences, and sentences into paragraphs, and paragraphs into stories. And hopefully, with enough time and borrowed patience, maybe this love-hate relationship with my writing will pan out into something more mutually beneficial. Standards have not been thus far met – standards that have been self-imposed yet annoyingly and sadly not have been met. I’ll keep trying, and that’s enough.

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Poem- Another Face of Earth

Poem- Another Face of Earth

Another Face of Earth

Chaplin’s my best friend.

‘Tis why my rancour rambles

In the rain while I try

To make lemonade

With rainwater. It ain’t easy.

‘Least I got rain.

And the rain rests on Earth.

But Earth? Lonley.

Mere mortal, wake up!

The Earth thou wasteth

Is not yours to destroy.

Borrowed from your future descendants,

She is yours, only to nurture.

You fly too close to the Sun.

Behold! The Earth shall avenge.

Raining during your ecstasy,

Waves shall reach for the sky

And mountains will spit fire in anger.

And the world shall be another Pompeii.

Take heed, Man.

The Earth’s life depends on you

And yours, on the Earth.

 – Merlin Raphael

Flower Bomb(shell)

Flower Bomb(shell)

I WON JUSTIN BIEBER TICKETS!!!!

I WON JUSTIN BIEBER TICKETS!!!!

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Winning tickets to a sold-out Justin Bieber concert- EVERY hardcore Belieber’s dream.

I happen to share the same dream. I didn’t go to school yesterday (why? -long story), and I was bored sick at home. So, I switched on the radio- my favourite pastime after books. I listen to 104.4 Virgin Radio (official radio partner of JB’s concerts in Dubai). They have the best shows.

Now, being a true-to-my-heart Belieber, when Brent Black (the RJ) said the words, “Win 2 tickets to the sold-out concert.”, I jumped at the chance. He asked about JB’s tweet which went on to be the third most retweeted on Twitter. I knew the answer, texted to the radio, and minutes later, he called!

Gosh! The rush of emotions was absolutely overwhelming!! At first, on seeing that the number was from Dubai, I assumed it was Mom, who always reminds me to complete all my homework. So I answered the call with a bored “Helllloooo”. And then, when I heard the RJ’s familiar voice…… asking me what my answer was, and telling me it was right, and that I had won the tickets…… OH! Words can’t explain the feeling. I was literally crying and smiling so much, I’m not sure how my cheek didn’t tear.

After that, I called my friends and Mom and with dried tears on my face, told them of the surreal experience. Facebook and Twitter were already in a microscopic frenzy with my friends talking of only this. Well, I suppose I should enjoy these 15 minutes of fame.

Even now, when I replay that phone-call…. I can’t belieBe it really did happen!