In one of my first posts on TBC, I reflected on how I haven’t learned any languages or carried out any language learning/maintenance activities for the past few years. I’m still not too sure why that’s happened, although a lot has changed for me in that time.
I’ve just read a post published in April 2023, written by Ted Gioia, about his lifetime reading plan.
Am I envious? I wouldn’t say that. I’ve certainly read plenty of books in my time. Books that are old, recent, new, translated, original, respected, rejected, embraced, loved, dreaded, mocked, dismissed, seen as difficult, seen as fluffy, seen as unoriginal, bought, borrowed, gifted.
I’m usually not too picky about genres or authors. Most of my reading material has come from library books, book swaps or hotel common areas. Not a lot of choice but that’s part of the fun. You read things you wouldn’t perhaps consider otherwise.
Anyway, something about Ted Gioia’s post struck a chord with me. I know nothing about him beyond what is in the article, but reading has apparently been a constant in his life.
Reading has been a constant in mine, albeit not in the same way. I haven’t read for at least an hour every morning before work, plus at lunch then before falling asleep at night every day for years. I haven’t compiled lists of works I want to, or feel I should, read. I have sometimes written lists of books I’ve read. One summer between uni years I kept a list, for fun. The year before last, I started a list but forgot about it part way through the year.
I’ve read every day, I would say. Not always novels or books, definitely. But articles, news or otherwise, yes. I read for information if I don’t read for pleasure. I read to learn about the world around me. Interviews, reviews, comment pieces, agony aunt columns.
Perhaps there is something in his constancy that I admire and almost long for. I used to have a sense of continuity in my life, perhaps its absence is what I felt.
Maybe it’s because he has a plan. Not just any plan, but a lifetime one.
I recognise his intelligence and knowledge. I respect his commitment to accruing knowledge and wisdom, especially because he has done for its own sake. As I understand it, he didn’t set out to make money from it, build a career on, do it for any prosaic reasons. He did it for his own personal growth, for the pleasure of reading and learning.
I also see a kindred spirit of sorts in how he takes notes as he reads, summarises those notes, and writes essays for his own reasons. I have done similar things in the past, things that ‘normal’ people would consider nerdy or sad.
So, how can this affect me going forwards? Maybe I can find a way, not back, but forwards to language learning, reading, writing, reflecting, composing.
Maybe this is my path. I have walked different trails for the past few years, growing and learning in other ways. Maybe now I can integrate my past into my future.
The path behind is gifted with knowledge, the path ahead is gifted with learning. Really nice piece ☺️