There are books that I read when I was 20 years old that have changed my life habits since then.
1. The art of reading: Shuichi Kato: One Book a Day
In this book, there is a scene in which the author makes it a challenge to read one book a day. Ever since I read it, I have had the notion in my head that a reader is supposed to read that much.
I was not able to do it, but this standard of what reading is all about has remained with me ever since. I remember one of my high school teachers telling me, “I go into a coffee shop, read a paperback pocket edition, and when I come out, I have finished it. ” Now, I can do that much.
Perhaps the difference between those who read and those who don’t is whether or not they stick to their own experiences. The difference is whether they think that what they have experienced is absolute, or whether they are able to think outside of it. The latter imagination is more likely to give you more room and enjoyment in your life.
2. Happiness Theory: B.Russell: Stop Introverting
In this book, the author says that if you keep looking inside yourself, you will be unhappy. There are many acts of seeing that prevent us from being happy, such as our own shortcomings, lack of ability, and comparisons with others. To be happy, he says, you must pay attention to other people and things outside of yourself.
The book is divided into two parts. One part lays out the causes of unhappiness, such as jealousy and competitiveness. In the second part, the causes of happiness are described: family, interests, enthusiasm, work, etc. The author, an educated mathematician and philosopher, writes in an orderly manner and explains how to live a life that brings happiness into your life.
3. Economics: P.Samuelson: thinking about the future
In economics, we do not think about the past. We think about how to invest the next unit of money, or $100,000 for example, and how much more productive we will be if we do so. We also think about how much satisfaction we will get if we buy something. In other words, we are always future-oriented.
On the other hand, there is an acquaintance who always talks about the past. He listens to the popular songs of the time on Youtube every day. For him, who has a good memory, what was popular at that time must have influenced his whole life.
4. Let’s see everything: Minoru Oda: interest in foreign countries
The author is a man of curiosity. He has guts and is full of intelligence. Such a sturdy man was once in Japan. He received a Fulbright scholarship to study at Harvard. On his way home, he traveled in poverty. He traveled around India eating only bananas because he ran out of money. Thanks to this book I was able to live in 5 foreign countries (Germany, Turkey, Nigeria, the US, and the UK) for 10 years.
