The seeping rays of sunlight bathed my room in a golden hue. My eyes twitched as the sun-rays fell on my eyelids, coaxing me from my deep slumber. Rubbing my eyes, I opened them to see the beauty of nature that had just illuminated my room. Pushing back the comforter and stretching my arms, I slipped my feet into the warm, cozy slippers and padded across the floor to the closet to get ready.
With my hair in a neat ponytail and a casual attire, I headed for the kitchen. On the way, I peeked into my mom's room and saw that she was still sleeping. Leaving her to dream peacefully, I stood in the kitchen, trying to decide what to eat while watching an intricate dance between the incoming sunlight and the shadows.
Making up my mind, I took out the oats, turned up the stove, and cooked them until nice and crispy. Putting them in a bowl and adding a cup of lukewarm milk, I gave it a stir and set it aside. Slicing up three bananas and a handful of blueberries, I topped the bowl with them.
Taking my prepared meal, I sat at the table, savouring my breakfast while enjoying the light show. The silence of the morning set a serene environment, allowing me to take pleasure in the various taste sensations that accompanied each bite. Quite some time flew by, my breakfast finished and the light show ended with the sun high up in the sky, illuminating the room with no shadows.
Putting my clean bowl on the drying rack, I dried my hands, grabbed a mini notepad, quickly jotted down a short message, "Meditating in the backyard, Mom." Ripping out the page, I put it on the fridge with the help of fridge magnets. Skipping out of the kitchen through the hallways, bypassing the bedrooms and the lounge, I opened the door to the backyard garden.
Immediately, my senses awakened. I could hear the chirping of birds, soft rustling of the leaves, and creaking of the branches. It felt as if I were being welcomed by nature as I stepped outside. Twirling around under the sun, basking in its warm glow, the sunlight hitting me felt as if it was giving me a comforting warm hug. Turning on the fountain, I watched the water gushing out and falling in droplets. The sunlight falling on the droplets made them sparkle like jewels.
Sitting on the ground, crossing my legs, and closing my eyes, I started meditating with a deep breath. With each breath, my body relaxed, my thoughts assembled, and I became distant from the chaos of daily life, becoming fine-tuned with nature, filling me up with positive vibes and an optimistic outlook, letting my mind wander off in nature's bliss. Soft beeping slowly lulled me back, and turning off my wristwatch alarm, I got up stretching and started to jog around the fountain.
I was on my thirty-second lap when I saw my mom standing at the door waving me in. With a few more stretches, I jogged back to my mom. Giving her a tight hug, while saying good morning, I went inside while mom closed the door behind me. Following her to the kitchen, I saw the table laden with a simple breakfast made by my mom.
I couldn't say no to my mom's cooking, so I quickly grabbed a chair and sat down while my mom laughed at my antics. Grabbing a boiled egg, I cut it in half, sprinkled it with salt and pepper and was about to pop it in my mouth when I heard rumbling and thumping. The morning chaos was here; my siblings had woken up and, as usual, they didn't know the meaning of peace and quiet.
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Living inside a character’s thoughts over time helps students understand perspectives vastly different from their own. In an increasingly polarized world, this emotional literacy is invaluable. Lowering Expectations, Lowering Outcomes One of the most concerning aspects of abandoning novels is the message it sends to students: we don’t think you’re capable. When schools assume students cannot handle long-form reading, expectations are quietly lowered. History shows that when expectations drop, outcomes often follow. Students rise to challenges when given the tools and encouragement to do so. If reading stamina is weak, the solution should not be avoidance but gradual rebuilding — just as physical strength improves with practice. Removing novels from curricula denies students the chance to develop this crucial skill. The Role of Technology and Attention It is undeniable that digital culture has reshaped attention spans. Constant notifications, short videos, and algorithm-driven content train the brain to crave immediacy. But schools should act as a counterbalance to this trend, not surrender to it. Education has always required effort that goes against the grain of comfort. Learning mathematics is difficult. Writing essays is demanding. Reading novels is no different. Shielding students from difficulty does not prepare them for adulthood — it weakens their resilience. Engagement, Not Elimination The problem is not novels themselves, but how they are taught. Too often, novels are presented as rigid academic tasks rather than living stories. Educators who connect books to students’ lives, encourage discussion, and allow space for interpretation often see higher engagement. Modern novels, diverse voices, and relevant themes can reignite interest. Pairing reading with creative projects, debates, or multimedia exploration can make novels feel alive rather than burdensome. 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Comments (2)
Good article. Keep breathing light.
I do love the themes that run throughout your posts, and a very significant one is that of contrast. There are particular havens of peace, reflection and inner tranquillity, to which the reader is always glad to return with you - the breakfast table, the garden, the neighbourhood. These are so beautifully depicted by your descriptive prose that we share in everything such places bring, and perhaps never more so than here, as we join you in the act of meditation then therapeutic exercise. All feels right with the world when we're at the fountain or the kitchen! This, as I say, sets up an opposition with other settings we visit in your works, such as the university campus with all its hustle and bustle. Then of course there's your brother and sister too, and from what I've read of them so far, I'm inclined to agree - they don't seem to know the meaning of peace and quiet! It's funny you should be so different, but then again, my brother and I are different in many ways too. The more I read of your posts, the more I enjoy the continuity between them. You're a writer well worth following, because there are real rewards in your work for the frequent reader!