If Not Art Then Give Me Books

Would you rather spend two hours visiting the art gallery, reading a book or masturbating? Explain.

If I had to choose between spending two hours at an art gallery, reading a book, or masturbating, the decision is already made in my mind. The third option doesn’t even cross the finish line. I’m not judging anyone who indulges in it, but for me, it simply doesn’t add value to my life. My time is precious,its not even enough so I’d rather pour it into something that leaves me better than it found me at every instance of time,something that enriches my mind, uplifts my spirit, and sharpens my vision for the future.

That’s why the choice would always be between visiting an art gallery or reading a book. And honestly, I’m torn between the two because they feed different sides of me, I'm passionate about art and fair enough i also read books.

Art, for me, is a language without words, it does has it's way of communicating to people.When I walk into an art gallery, I feel like I’m stepping into a collection of other people’s souls,ike am seeing the blueprint of their minds. Each art piece tells a story without saying a single sentence. A painting might hold the silence of heartbreak or the chaos of joy, and I can just stand there, soaking it in. I love that art forces me to feel,i just hope you can relate to what am saying. Some days, I leave a gallery feeling like I’ve traveled through a hundred lives in just two hours.

Reading, though, speaks to the builder in me,I’m not the kind of person who loves reading for the sake of it, you won’t catch me buried in a thick fantasy novel or memorizing academic theories. I want books that shift something inside me, books that plant seeds for growth, and books that challenge the way I think and transform my financial life.

A few books have completely changed my life, books like Atomic Habits by James Clear taught me that it’s not the big, dramatic changes that shape a person’s life, but the small, consistent actions. Reading it made me re-evaluate my daily habits and see how much of my life was running on autopilot. I started tweaking my routines, started sleeping earlier,or wait,i wouldn't lie i don't sleep early although i was taught to,but i start my mornings with intentions, and created an environment that supported my goals instead of sabotaging them.

Then there’s In Pursuit of Purpose by Myles Munroe. That book shook me in a different way. It made me confront the question of why I’m here, what I’m meant to do, and how much of my life I might be wasting on things that don’t align with my calling. It wasn’t just motivation, it was clearly direction. I found myself journaling after every chapter, making imaginations of what my life could look like if I truly lived with purpose.

I can’t forget The Impossible is Possible by John Mason,ooh that book did something to my soul. It spoke to my faith, my courage, and my willingness to step out even when the odds didn’t make sense. It reminded me that fear is just a feeling, not a prophecy. I read it during a season when I was hesitating to take bold steps, and by the time I closed the last page, I felt like someone had lit a fire under me,i could stop burning.

And of course, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki changed the way I see money. Before that book, I thought financial freedom was just about working hard and saving. Kiyosaki opened my eyes to the mindset of wealth, how assets, liabilities, and financial literacy matter more than just a paycheck. It made me start thinking like an investor instead of just an employee.

When I weigh art against books, I see them as two different kinds of nourishment. Art feeds my emotions; books feed my mind. If I’m feeling drained or disconnected from creativity, I’d spend those two hours in an art gallery, letting colors and textures reawaken my imagination. But if I’m in a season where I need clarity, strategy, and personal growth, I’d spend those two hours with a book that I know will sharpen me.

At the end of the day, I want my leisure time to do more than just entertain me. I want it to leave me richer not necessarily in money, but in wisdom, perspective, and emotional depth. That’s why, given the choice, I’ll always reach for the art or the book. Both have the power to leave a mark on my life long after the two hours are gone. And that, to me, is worth far more than any fleeting pleasure.

All images are mine

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