"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."
Eleanor Roosevelt
Image generated with the assistance of Microsoft Word
In The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf that I read well... way back in 1995, a compelling idea is presented: “The more things that come into your head, the more room there is for others.”
This suggests that our minds grow with every new thought and idea we encounter, especially through reading. Reflecting on this, I recognize a pattern in my own life: the most challenging relationships I've had were often with people who do not read regularly.
My experiences have taught me that reading does more than fill our heads with information; it expands our ability to think and feel. Those who read often seem to understand others better and communicate more effectively. Their thoughts are like branches that reach out, connecting ideas and emotions in complex ways.
Conversely, I’ve noticed that people I've had the most difficulty relating to, don't read much tend to have a harder time dealing with complex ideas or understanding different viewpoints. But that's entirely my experience. Their conversations might lack depth, and sometimes, it seems the ones I have known struggle to empathize with others. Empathy, after all, is something that reading nurtures quite well. Books put us into the shoes of characters across different worlds and times, teaching us to understand and share the feelings of others.
It’s as if not reading limits their mental landscape—like a garden that’s never been fully cultivated. This can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts because it's harder for them to see beyond their immediate perspective.
Considering all this, I’ve come to see reading as essential—not just for knowledge, but for developing the skills to think deeply and empathize widely. Each book adds new layers to our understanding, helping us become better listeners and more thoughtful speakers.
As I continue to meet people who read and those who don't, I advocate more and more for reading's vital role in personal growth. I hope more people will pick up a book, not just to learn something new, but to better understand the world and the people around them. This way, we might all become like those expansive minds in Lagerlöf's tale, forever growing and making more room for others.
Note: May I take this opportunity to thank The quarter of a million visitors for gracing these pages in the past two years. I sure would like to know why you came. Drop an anonymous note in the reply box if you wish. It sure is lonely here.