Give the gift of a lifetime

Why not seek out a friend whom you know is a slow or poor reader and motivate him to improve his reading. Offer to get him started by showing him how he can improve his reading ability and why he should. This act of kindness can become a turning point in his life. Encouraging him to become a better reader is a gift of a lifetime which will never wear out and can never be broken or stolen. Wipe away his secret embarrassment and give him a fresh opportunity to succeed.

Initially we judge people from their physical appearances. Then we judge their mental abilities. We come to admire people who speak, write and read well. We stand in awe of them as though they possess magical powers. Is it that they are more “ glamorous” than us? Why do we feel slightly inferior in their presence?

Centuries ago anyone who was able to read was thought to be practicing magic. The word “grammar” comes from the evolution of the word “glamour” which means an exciting and often illusory and romantic attractiveness. Being able to read and write had a popular association of learning with occult powers. Only the clergy practiced reading. Monks copied manuscripts by hand which in turn were read only by select learned individuals.

The invention of the printing press revolutionized all that. As books became a common commodity, reading became a skilled activity. Today it is vital that everyone be able to read or his position in life is stifled. With the invention of computers, reading has taken on a more vital meaning in our lives.

Television brings the world into our living room and with instant access to all kinds of entertainment and knowledge. There is little mental activity on our part when we watch television. On the other hand, computers demand mental skills from us. We must work to obtain what we wish from it. It demands that we read. We do not usually fall asleep in front of a computer as we often do in front of a television.

Anyone that cannot read well cannot handle a computer intelligently. In the business world almost any company position requires some skill with a computer. This is true whether one works in an office, plant, restaurant, or any other place. Computers have become an integral part of business. And the underlining factor to working with computers is the ability to read.

Most of us are embarrassed to let anyone know we are poor readers. We hide this fact for some irrational reason especially from our family and friends. Yet refusing to improve our reading ability is like a sick person not wishing to become well. We become frustrated at not getting the job we seek; we get passed over for promotions or pay increases. Soon we are frustrated and angry at everyone else except ourselves.

When I mention reading, I am not referring to novels, short stories, poems and other forms of literature, but to basic everyday reading in our practical life—the ability to read the daily newspaper well, office correspondence, instruction manuals, words on food label products

Years ago while living in Hawaii, one of my best friends and co-worker was a very poor reader. For his thirty-fifth birthday, I gave him a six months paid subscription to a reading improvement school. That gift changed his life. He not only improved his reading ability, but became an avid reader. Today he can handle all forms of reading and owns his own business.

Today open the door for a friend to the world of reading—give a gift for life.

Strictly a personal view. Anthony Pellegrino writes every Monday and Tuesday. Mr. Pellegrino can be reached at tonypell@saipan.com