A lesson

Books are undeniably the best friends one can have. Not only do they provide companionship, they teach you more than any one person can, and in the best way possible.

For some time, I have been in doubt about the kind of person I was becoming. Leaving school and my home town was not easy, and it made me change in many ways, some that I did not like. My attitude to life and people was changing. But, I believe reading has saved me.

With some free time on my hands, I began to read 'The 5 people you meet in heaven' and 'Tuesdays with Morrie', both by Mitch Albom. These books made me realise that life wasnt the way I was looking at it then. It is meant to be seen as an experience that must be enjoyed. I had forgotten my outlook on life as the ice-cream to be eaten before it melts. Life isnt supposed to be a serious, sombre affair, so why treat it like one? Things happen, people change, but life still offers us much more than we can take from it. So why not take as much and make the most of the time that one has been given.

The people in our lives must be appreciated, not because it is the thing to do, but because they need it, much as do I. And doing so makes life worth living. People who you care for, and who care for you, are what God gives us, to compromise for all the negatives in life.

It was a lesson that I knew, but needed to be reminded of. I am glad that I realised this, and even more so, that I read those books.

Writing...

It has been a long time since I wrote. There have been times that I have begun to write something, but discarded it as worthless. Those times, I believe, I was forcing myself to write.

For me, writing must come from prior thought. It is not something I can be asked to do. It comes from within. Most often, it is a means to express thoughts that come to mind, and make enough sense to have a lasting impact on me.

Writing, for some people, comes naturally. They do not need inspiration. Pure thought is provocation enough. I , however, see my writing as a means to express myself as well as understand the thoughts that have so impacted me.

But it is an enjoyable exercise, and I certainly hope to write many more short pieces like this one...