You are what you read!  No rocket-science here... rocket science is for rocket scientists.  Reading is like having a discussion with the author (Steven King, Ann Rice, Danielle Steele, and Tom Clancy do not count for professional developmental conversations!)  I wanted to share with you three benefits of professional reading. 

 

The first benefit is something called natural intelligence.  We all want more in life (wealth, relationships, and physical and mental spirituality) but what are we all prepared to do about it?   Our mind is our greatest gift we possess as human beings.  Like they say, we are what we eat... We also are what we feed out minds!!!   We are told we can achieve anything in life...happiness, success etc. It is then fair to say that it is key to feed our minds with resources to help us achieve what we want. Gandhi said, "A man is but the product of his thoughts.  What he thinks, he becomes".
 
A second benefit of reading is to create your own reality.  Last year, thinking I was too busy, I stopped reading as much as normally did.  I am now committed to a higher level of living, learning, growing and reading and feel great knowing where I am going as a result of the books that I am reading.  Making our own reality is so much more rewarding.  Did you know that 85% of North American households last year did not buy a non-fiction book last year?  AND that 90% of people who actually do buy a book, did not even read it? Yet, we spend 85 BILLION on movies, and the average TV consumption in North America is 6 hours and 44 min. per day.  I am not preaching by any means that you should not watch TV.  But rather be more selective on what you watch... Be smart about it, and help your family be smart about it. 

 
And finally the last benefit of reading is like the experts say:  TV rots your brain.  Scientists have proved that TV alters your brain-waves - our most precious asset.  The brain functions on 4 different levels:  Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta.  Beta is the brain wave we are all using at this moment.  Conscious, logical, interactive, and engaging...  As we relax our minds we produce more Alpha waves, which we then open ourselves to more receptive, influential patterns of thought processing.  TV slows such waves down to Alpha.  Now, you're probably saying, Cory, I lead a stressful life, and feel I need the TV time to de-stress, slow down, and unwind.  Well, in fact, you are slowing down and actually getting addicted as well, as the feeling is so good, but in fact, you are actually ending up in a hypnotic-like, some would say, comatose state, open to TV's negative impressions, stereotypes, advertising and messages.... Especially before going to bed, and unconsciously processing it for 6-8 hours.  No wonder so many people are stressed, tired, overweight, and lack the energy to function these days. 

I guarantee that if you want a more fulfilling relationship, to make more money, to be healthier, and more spiritual, you will not get there watching more TV, however, you may get there reading more books!