As we approach Mother’s Day here in the US I was reflecting on my own mother, who passed in 200. Among the many gifts she gave me, the one that I believe has been the most valuable is her taking the time to teach me how to read. Once a person has that, an entire world opens up to them, providing, of course, they use that gift.
If your mother taught you to read, go and thank her. She gave you one of life’s most valuable gifts and ensured your future.
If you’re the mother of young children please do what you can to get them interested in reading and, if they’re young enough, teach them how to read.
Young mothers and mothers-to-be may want to read the book “How to Teach Your Baby to Read.” Yes, young babies can learn to read well before they can speak.
My own mother taught me to read when I was four. It’s a skill that’s served me quite well throughout my life. By the time I started school I already knew how to read, write, spell and do arithmetic.
When I bought my first computer I bought books for each of the software programs I was using and taught myself desktop publishing, photo editing, and, later, web development programs. At one point in the late 90’s I was a freelance trainer at a leading Philadelphia computer school even though I had never taken a computer class.
I was able to accomplish this and more because my mother taught me to read.
Possessing the power to read coupled with the Internet and a way to access it, any person can learn anything they want or need to know in today’s world.
Books on every subject imaginable are readily available, usually with immediate delivery in digital form.
University classes, available through Apple’s iTunes and other services are readily available, often for low or no fee.
Personal Development, Business, and Lifestyle courses are available from sites like Udemy.com in the U.S. and (coming in june) LearnersHive.com in Singapore. There, in addition to my own video training, you can learn a myriad of subjects from your own home.
Can you read your way to a better job?
Ask my nephew, Jim, who, while working in an entry level tech job, read the Microsoft Certification books during his commute on the bus to and from work. This enabled him to become of greater value to his company and, as he continued reading and learning new skills, has risen to the position of Senior Vice President in a major Financial institution.
All of this, including his beautiful wife and terrific kids along with his lifestyle, were made possible because he was taught to read by his mother, my sister Debbie.
Of course the rest of the credit goes to him. To say I’m quite proud of him is a great understatement. He rocks!
The greatest gift I’ve received as a result of reading is what I learned from all the personal development books I was able to absorb. The ideas in those literally changed my life.
I was able to go from the very bottom of the socio-economic scale, barely surviving, feeling hopeless, to the life I know I am meant to live.
The very reason I do the work I do is because of a desire to share what I’ve learned from the hundreds of books I’ve read, audio’s I’ve listened to and seminars I’ve attended.
Studying personal development has enabled me to create my ideal life and it keeps getting better. Sure I have goals but I am so grateful for the life I lead.
Mostly I’m grateful to be doing the work I’ve been guided to do. My greatest thrill is when I hear from someone who has used the ideas I share and changed their own life.
But the amazing thing is, this all began with my Mother teaching me to read. Thank you Mom.
Happy Mother’s Day to you and Mothers everywhere. You are more special than you’ll ever know.
By the way, if you want to give a gift that will really make a difference in someone’s life, give the Kindle edition of the book that started it all for me and my first international bestseller, Handbook to a Happier Life
So what can we, as individuals, do to protect ourselves and our families? How can we still enjoy going to public events without being afraid?
If you remember 
