Make reading a habit

     Since ancient times, the Chinese have regarded reading as the most elegant activity, considering all other pursuits inferior to reading.


    The ancients were very particular about reading; their study was to be quiet and refined, and they would bathe and burn incense before reading, demonstrating how sacred reading was!


    As dawn breaks, dewdrops glisten on the grass, kingfishers sing in the trees, and I stroll beneath the flowers with a scroll of ancient poetry. A gentle breeze caresses my face, red petals dampen my clothes, and the delicate fragrance lingers, endlessly. I lightly brush the pages, and the ink flows out, scattering before my eyes and seeping into my heart, giving rise to a sense of tranquility. At dusk, the sunset paints the sky crimson, birds sing sweetly on their way home, and cattle and sheep graze along winding paths. I stand by the gate, leaning against something, a short book in hand, reading it carefully, serene and leisurely. At night, I light a candle, sit at my desk, or rest my chin on my hand, and brew a cup of light tea. Following the fragrant tea, I stroll along the path of books, over thorny bushes and streams, or even riding the wind, enjoying boundless pleasure!


    Reading doesn't require a mansion or a luxurious study; a simple place to stand is enough. An old stone by the door, a flat patch of land in the field, a handrail by the railing, a bench in a city garden, a stone stool by the pond; one can lean against a tree trunk, sit on a bamboo chair, stand by the subway station, lie on a corner of a sofa, or lie on the edge of a soft bed. Reading is not limited by time; it doesn't have to be a whole day. One can break it down into smaller parts, picking up what's short and piecing it together; even just five or ten minutes is enough—during a cup of tea, a short rest after a meal, while waiting for a trip, or as a prelude to a nap. Reading doesn't have to be overly serious. If it interests you, study it carefully, extracting its essence; if it's for leisure, you can skim the surface without seeking deep understanding. Reading is truly liberating!


    Reading allows us to understand Qu Yuan's unfulfilled ambitions, Cai Yan's versatility, Tao Qian's refined elegance, Li Bai's proud and ingenious thoughts, Li Qingzhao's loneliness and desolation, Su Shi's open-minded optimism, Guan Hanqing's simplicity, and Bai Pu's brilliant writing. The brilliance of Alexandre Dumas père and patriarch, the stark contrasts of the Brontë sisters, the solitude of the Maldives, and the tranquil serenity of Walden. From these books, I witnessed Daiyu's intelligence, Zhuge Liang's strategies, the helplessness of the Confucian scholars, the perils of the Journey to the West, Santiago's strength and resilience, Jane Eyre's independence and self-reliance, the Gadfly's fortitude and loyalty, Quasimodo's purity and love, Anna Karenina's happiness and sorrow, and Jean Valjean's suffering and vitality. I wept with their sorrow and cheered with their joy.


    "Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles." Entering the pages of books, I learned to be strong in life, that sorrow can be overcome, that pain is not eternal, that hardships can be surmounted, that a rainbow will surely appear after the storm, that hard work will bring rewards, that ideals lead to a future, that confidence leads to success, that one should be sincere, flexible in dealing with matters, cautious in making friends, and diligent in work. Reading and reflecting, I successfully navigated the passing years. "A mind enriched by poetry and literature naturally exudes elegance." Reading and savoring these texts adds a touch of heroism to one's brow, a sparkle to one's gaze, a grace to one's posture, and refinement to one's speech. Every smile and gesture, like a gentle breeze and a bright moon, reveals the wisdom


    of literature. Let reading become a habit; a day without reading leaves one feeling listless and restless. Give yourself space to read books and newspapers, to grasp certain principles, and to cultivate your character. The tenderness of "holding hands with tearful eyes," the grandeur of "Loulan uncarved," the resilience of "facing the winds from all directions"... all permeate the heart and soul. Reading and savoring these texts brings a sense of tranquility like listening to a midnight drizzle, harmony like a morning breeze rustling through bamboo groves, vastness like snow falling on a river, and passion like maple leaves reflecting the morning sun!

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