Reading in a flash
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I recently stumbled across an online speed reading test. It measures your words per minute and your comprehension. Go here to take the test. It notes that people reading speed is noteably slower when reading on your computer screen than when reading from a page. Interesting.
It also notes that everyone can improve their reading. In fact, the site even recommends to you a software package designed to do so. One of the greatest detriments to personal growth - whether spiritual or otherwise - is the refusal to read. I constantly run across folks who do little to no regular reading. While wonderful people, I am always struck by the observation that they are generally "set in their ways" and have most likely encountered little to no significant change in their thought patterns, habits, or lifestyles in years. Not a good thing. Change is good. For the Christian, non-change is not only unheard of, but it is most often the sign of disobedience.
Psalm 119 is the scriptural monument to the importance of reading. This was in a day before printing presses and mass publication. It contains amazing implication for the non-reading Christian today. I’d suggest you review it.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. v18
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. v11
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. v97
For the pre-Christian or decidedly non-Christian, I doubt whether these calls from the Bible would encourage them toward more reading. However, there are a plethora of studies that would suggest the importance of reading is intertwined with self-confidence, career advancement, cultural competence, and relational peace. I call on my buddy Mark to help me communicate this. Yet, I doubt that I have any non-readers reading this blog. Chances are, their reading friends or spouses will take this post and bop them over the head with it. Please refrain from doing so until you read Mark’s forthcoming (I hope) entry which will encourage you and make your bat heavier and more fun to swing at your non-reader.
August 14th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
I,myself,am a reader.Many of my blogs are about my reads.My husbands frustration (and another part of my hoarding,mind you)are my books.I have my own little library going.He refuses to let me go into Walden books or Books a Million unless it is Christmas time,and even then my thought process is to buy everyone I know a book…LOL.He is not a reader,newspapers maybe,but nothing else.I have ventured out to find something that might peak his interest but no.I am always looking to change.I analyze and over-analyze things to change.Most of the books I read are self help in some form or fashion,biblically derived or complete and utter non-fiction.(I am interested in knowledge not day dreams,I know that is a very strong opinion but nonetheless.)In fact,I love your parchments listing to the right here-I would have one myself,were I not so computer illiterate…LOL
August 14th, 2006 at 4:31 pm
Dude, I am going on a date tonight…Do you think I have time to blog about how reading is one of the most important activities in life? Okay, sure. Give me a bit o’ time, though…it was “back to work” for me today.
Summer is OVER :(
August 14th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
I was wondering what your speed and accuracy were?Mine was 306 with only a 64% accuracy.I could definitely use some comprehension skills…LOL
August 14th, 2006 at 9:24 pm
Mine was 449 with 100 comprehension.
Mark, “you can du it!”
August 14th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
I read at 290 words per minute w/ 91% comprehension.