Reading From Sunup to Sundown

You can't get away from words. They're everywhere. From sunup to sundown, you can always find something to read. Think about it. From the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed you've probably done more reading than you realize.

Some of it's deep reading and some of it's just a cursory glance at some words. For example, when I get up in the morning usually the first things I read are my devotions and spiritual meditations. I consider them deep reading because I'm reading to absorb information and inspiration that will set my thinking for the day.
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But there are other types of reading that are important but don't require the intense concentration.  For example, I'll take a quick glance at the sticky note reminders I have on my bathroom mirror. Or maybe I'll take a glance at the ticker tape news that's running at the bottom of the TV screen. Of course, I'll pay close attention to emails and text messages I receive from people because they're important. However, if the messages are in my spam folder I'll take a quick scan to see what they are and then click "delete all."

Notice all the words you are reading in your home before you even step out the door. That could be a recipe, a clothing label, your household bills, your calendar events, or a note from a family member. And when you turn on the TV, you'll experience a word explosion--from program graphics to commercial ads.

You may not do much deep reading when you leave the house on your way to work or to run errands. But if you pay attention you'll see words plastered on billboards, commercial vehicles, street signs, buildings, and people's clothing. Consider all the reading you have to do for your job, business or for school. Is most of it deep reading or can you scan the material?

What are you reading when the sun goes down?  Are you reading a book or magazine for leisure? If you're out to dinner, are you reading a menu? If you're at a ballgame, are you reading a sports program or scoreboard? If you're out shopping, are you reading sales ads, coupons, or product labels on grocery store shelves?

The point I'm making here is that reading is such an integral part of our lives. 
Not everyone loves it. Not everyone does it well. And some people take their ability to read for granted. 

I'm not one of them. I'm so thankful that I can read proficiently. I'll tell you how I got that way in another post. For now, simply notice how the words around you enrich your life from sunup to sundown. 

Call to action: Is there something you can do to help someone become literate? Check out the programs in your community that assist the blind or provide tutoring for adults and children.