Reading is one of my adjustments during this pandemic.
The arrival of Covid-19 in our country brought different reactions from everyone. Knowledge of its deadly impact to human beings had created fear, confusion and personal predictions of how one stands a chance of survival if affected.
Multitudes of deaths around the globe happening in Third World countries with insufficient financial capability to combat a pandemic of great magnitude resulted to remedial measures less taxing for the treasury of the government.
Our country adopted the quarantining of affected persons after being detected with covid-19 virus.
Those who worry about being infected by the disease are forced to stay in the home, to live for another day, maybe for another year.
My action taken during the height of Covid-19 attack to the present, my dear readers and friends, was to keep myself busy at home, keeping productive and not to mind the passing of time, only when necessary. I began reading books; the classics, New York Times bestsellers, health and medical benefits books, biography of great men, etc.
I was in Makati at the advent of Covid-19. Being a senior citizen and kidney transplant recipient, I took extra care against being caught outside of our home during the heavy traffic of blue-collar workers and white-collar employees going to their workplace in Makati city.
It was also this time when regularly we snuck out of our home, my wife and I, to do walking for an hour. We do it early, at 5 am and at least 6:30 am already back at home, before the barangay tanods and policemen reported for duty.
I stayed most of the time at my room or watched through the windows on our third floor the hurried movements of workers/employees walking to their places of work. This was before the government imposed tighter restrictions when Covid-19 became too dangerous for people to be outside on the streets.
It was also this time when I returned to READING when isolation is preferable to being outside the home or being accosted by Makati’s barangay tanods, especially the senior citizens who are prohibited outside on the streets.
When my father made me read books instead of comics, threatening me with his belt to ensure obedience, I had no other option left to escape boredom. Imagining otherwise caused headaches and made your psyche seem to be floating somewhere in the atmosphere.
The difference between today’s reader and the one during my high school years was the latter believes through reading their time is spent wisely while the former aims to improve one’s literacy and succeed in the academe.
Recalling my high school days, the reason why I read whatever my hand got hold of was a boy’s dream of becoming a priest.
And, as a peace offering peace or consolation to my parents against my habitual gambling, my mental defense mechanism thought of a redeeming quality and it was my fondness for reading books during my younger days.
Though my education was a bit neglected due to gambling and intermittent physical ailments, my parents gave me special consideration due to my strong attachment to reading. They believed that through my love for reading, I had good chances for a better tomorrow.
I lived with ease and luxury early in life for my parents were hardworking and busy business people. But in spite of this comfort, I wanted more from this world but at my early age I didn’t know what it was.
Was it helping people, seeking personal glory or raising the spirits of others? The dreams of my youth I made known to my eldest sister Sally, who told me to continue reading books so I could fulfill my dreams. For reading increases your knowledge, state of mind and communications skills. Opportunities come to people who read to improve their brainpower. Reading gives rise to success in your sphere of discipline/influence.