You Are What You Read

 

People do different things when they go into the homes and offices of others. Some look at the artwork and how it is decorated. Some people like to peek in people’s medician cabinets or refrigerators. I look at their books. I can learn a lot from the books on a person’s shelves – or lack of them. I believe, as a Roman statesman, Marcus Tullius Cicero said, “A home without books is a body without a soul.”

Scouts and Scouters should be passionate readers. However, my experience tells me that many are not. I have heard all the basic excuses for not spending time with books. “I am not a good reader.” “I don’t like reading.” “I have to read so much in school that I don’t want to do it in my free time.” The excuses go on and on. Sadly, they all boil down to one reason. It is called laziness.

“If a man is known by the company he keeps,

so also his character is reflected in the books he reads.”

J. Oswald Sanders

1902-1992

Author

 

Here is the truth about reading. We have more access to books and reading material than ever in human history. Not so long ago, if you wanted to take books with you on a trip, you had to lug several volumes along with all your other stuff. Today you can bring entire libraries full of books all stored in your phone. Not only can you get any text you want on a device, but there are thousands of them for free. There is no excuse for not finding something that interests you, or that will help you on your path in life.

One of the greatest privileges we have is the ability to read. If you are reading this post, you have that gift. Do not let it be wasted. Mark Twain once said, “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” Books can open doors of opportunity for you, unlike anything you will find. Books offer adventure, skills, knowledge, and power. Formal education is limited, but books have no limits and no expiration date. You can read the work from great men and women centuries-old or those who wrote only yesterday.

As a Scout, make books a constant companion. It does not matter if they are hard copies you hold in your hand or electronic versions on your phone or tablet. What matters is that you read the. Read what you enjoy. The range of material is vast. Fiction, nonfiction, science fiction, biography, technology, crafts, sports, or even cooking. They are all there waiting for you to discover then. Once you do, I promise you; the adventure will never end.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey