Books Rebalance Me Every Time

Books Rebalance Me Every Time

 

The arts have many advantages. However, I think rebalancing is the most important advantage of art. Because that is what helped me most in art. And I will elaborate this with a book I read. One might wonder why books suddenly appear in a debate about art. Many people do not think of books as art. But books are the best type of art for me. Furthermore, I hope that more people will understand books as good art, and will agree with me that good art includes books. So, from now on, I will provide a basis for how books rebalance me.

First of all, I am an engineering student. I became distant from the humanities, philosophy, and economics. So, when I look at the world, I view the world in a scientific way. However, through books, I gained a variety of views that I did not previously have. For example, I think that most people think very reasonable. However, in fact, it depends on their feelings.  

But after reading "Nudge- Richard H. Thaler", I understand why people follow their own feelings rather than thoughts. Also, I understand how our environment influences our decisions. For example, let`s consider the organ donation issue. If people are reasonable, there might be no difference between an opt-in system and opt-out system. Opt-in system is donating their organ who say they want to donate. In contrast, the opt-out system means that everyone donates their organ, except who say do not want to donate their own organ. However, as a result, there is a huge difference between the two systems. Then, now I can accept that people are not that reasonable. And having a variety of views makes rebalance.

Second, people can be both too calm and too excitable.  And I was the type of person who is too excitable and I can complain about a lot of things. Books help to make me feel more positive and calm. When I was in the Army, I had many complaints. 

However, "Love for Unperfect Things" by a monk named Hye-min, in the book, advised

"Before you sleep, think of three things you appreciate a day. Then life will be happy." 

I followed his suggestion at the moments that my life was frustrating. And I have been writing three thank-you notes to someone in my diary every night for three years now. And now, I don`t complain anymore. And now I have become calmer. Which means art rebalanced me. For example, I am much more grateful for computers that help me write things comfortably, and I am also grateful to my professor gave me an opportunity to think about all this and write this essay. 

So far, I have discussed how books as art have rebalanced me. And for me, books have had much more influence on my life and my way of thinking than any other great work of art. While many people in South Korea don't read many books anymore, I hope many more people will eventually read books that will have a big impact on their lives.