Skill and Development, Essay Example

Reading is often a skill that is perfected not only through reading the words but through comprehending with their meaning and their implicative worth in the entire essence of development especially when it comes to understanding the different issues that are related to human society. True, reading brings about a sense of realization to human individuals especially in recognition of the most crucial points of development that the society has to undergo. Most often than not, it is through reading that one is able to gain full understanding of the different situations occurring around him. It is through the power of one’s pen that the thinking of others becomes fully knowledgeable of the instances that are occurring in the environment.

Proper reading however does not come in easily. Most of the time, since reading takes time, readers often go over the pages of a book or through the words of a particular selection. This practice is a common condition especially in relation to those who are simply aiming to finish a particular reading assignment without any desire of comprehending with what the message is about. In my personal experience, this practice has often accompanied me in relation to how I finish most of my reading assignments. Most often than not, I think that I should be able to complete assignments that are given to me as mere tasks. I feel strongly that the reading tasks given to me are for mere grade requirements. With this particular reason in mind, I often aim to complete my reading tasks immediately so that I can go on with the next one. I often lose the desire of understanding the readings fully because of the pressure that I feel regarding the task. For this reason, most of my reading assignments just came passing through not leaving any particular mark in my mind.

For this particular course, little did I know that I would be able to get over such practice. The reading tasks given for us to complete were rather hard to accomplish, however, it was the motivation to know more than just what the reading was about in the first place that got me to finish the first, the second even towards the last reading. Among the readings that specifically spoke to me was that of Working in the Shadows by Gabriel Thompson and A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah. These readings had deep meanings that specifically appealed to my personal opinion of several issues that are consisted in the society today.

For instance, Gabriel Thompson’s writing is a story about himself as he journeys towards the most contradicting aspects of the American society where immigrants tend to work without any particular complaint of their situation. Thompson mentioned that most of these immigrants have so little and yet they seemed satisfied with whatever they have. They are relatively working on most of the dirtiest jobs in the country for almost more than eight hours and yet they ask for nothing more than what they already have. They simply want to realize how is it to leave in the American soil and be able to find a way to make a distinctive mark on how they are at least able to stand on American ground, the dream they have always wanted to achieve.

It was rather odd that these individuals were living at the edge of what they have every day and yet their smiles were among the sincerest as defined by Thompson himself. This particular reading allowed me to find a particular way to ask myself how much I have become too much absorbed with my personal desires, my wants and my demands. I often complain when I do not get what I want the way I want to. I question several things and blame several people when uncanny things happen. I always thought that I have the worst conditions in life.  I always thought that I would be better off if I am able to have what I need and what I want. However, after reading this selection, I began to question myself. Have I been selfish or have I just been less contented of what I already have?

Seeing through the details written by Thompson, I realized how much time I have spent in wishing for what I do not have and likely being disappointed on what I have become and what I have not accomplished. When all those times I could have done something better, I could have lived better and I could have given my life and effort to more people who needed my support. Thompson’s writing spoke right through me as if asking me to change my attitude and perception about life. After reading this selection I began to appreciate life better. I began to understand contentment even beyond not having what I think I need or deserve to have. I specifically realized that being a good observer on what I have and accepting that there are times that the things I desire could not be mine and that I have to settle for what I could actually attain in reality.

Ismael Beah’s writing on the other end displaying a part of his life as he tried to go against the tide and live a life that is beyond what is expected from him at his age. He committed several crimes and when he was finally given a chance to change, even at a young age he was almost stereotyped all the time. Relatively, it could be assumed that his being has already been marked by his past. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried to make a definite change on his personality, all the people saw was that of the fact that he has been living a life against the law. It is often a human weakness to consider the past as a marking point in consideration with what defines an individual. For me, this is a personal wake up call. I often misjudge a person based on what I know about him even before actually knowing who he is in person. I found this reading to be a reflection of the sad truth regarding the process by which people identify others. It could be assumed that somehow, this particular weakness has made it harder for people wanting to change to actually achieve the adjustment that they desire to accomplish. The saying do not judge a book by its cover follows the same pattern as this story tries to represent how a person is misjudged by the way he looks, the way he talks or the way he carries himself. This then teaches a lesson that at some point, knowing a person truly beyond what one knows about him before being introduced to him should be disregarded hence allowing the person a chance to start within a clean slate.

From this particular course and the readings I have realized how important comprehension is when it comes to reading assigned selections. Understandably, it has occurred to me that completing a piece of work just because I was commanded to do so is not enough in actually getting the gist of the story and being able to deeply see the message that it hopes to present. Relatively, seeing through the mind of the writers provide a great source of competence in understanding what the message is all about and actually be able to apply the said message into one’s being. The books I have chosen to feature herein are among the best reads I have ever done. The lessons I gained from the experience of the writers defined what particular factors of my being should I examine and particularly change. Reading through the writings of the authors allowed me to see more of who I am and thus desire to become better.