In praise of reading

To enter a book is to escape to another world, to meet another set of people - some you may like, others not so much. Some of us need to read, for some it is a chore. But how wonderful to have the option: the choice of all of those titles, ideas, stories, theories, lives, whether it is a biography, science, history, self-help, or fiction in all its forms. We are in a time when most of us when alone go to our phone for that distraction, entertainment, killing time while we wait for an appointment, a train or bus, or for someone to join us for lunch or just a coffee. Which is understandable - it's a quick fix, can be interesting, informative even. But, how lovely to spend any long periods we have free immersing ourselves in our imagination, to think about characters and their decisions, to be impatient with them, feel solidarity with them, dislike them, think that we may have done something differently. It can help us to examine ourselves, really explore what we think about others' values, the situations they are in, and then maybe challenge ourselves: how would we feel in a similar position, how would we have handled the dilemma? Some books can leave us feeling energised, determined to change, others are comforting, bringing us familiarity and solace. Solitude can be healing, a respite from being 'on' all the time, listening and reacting appropriately or how we perceive others want us to react. It is different to loneliness, when we crave others' company and attention. However you spend that solitude, whether it is listening to music, walking in nature, sport or something creative, make sure that it nurtures you, recharges you, nourishes a secret part of you. We all need that.