World of Fiction

I enjoy reading fiction!
Literature coming from imagination – mysteries, crime thrillers, romance et all always had my attention. It has been an immersive experience, enhancing my curiosity, creativity and ability to connect the dots. Reading fiction for me is exploring other worlds through characters, stories, situations that exist only in the mind. Being involved, emotionally so at times, in the story and the characters, I would relate to that world.
As I entered the world of coaching, I wondered about my reading habits. Needless to say, I was a bit overwhelmed by the suggestions pouring in from all quarters to read a book, an article, a research that was written by of course accomplished authors. But, this is not fiction, I thought.
I reacted as expected. First denial/refusal to read, then a sense of anxiety that came from, what if I don’t read – will I miss some learning?
Brain is always processing, looking ahead, trying to anticipate, fill the gaps with possibilities as we don’t like to be left in the unknown. There is always a reference, suggestion to read a work of an author whose experience becomes a shared learning, adding up to the evolution of the coach.
As I reflected on my own reading habit and preference I have for fiction, I pondered, what does fiction mean to me? What makes me prefer that format? Does fiction reading make me judge and perceive others, that may come in way of the philosophy of coaching.
As I read – I would imagine the stories being played out. I visualize how characters behave, how they move, their gestures, expressions, feelings etc. All of this playing as a vision through the words of the author. I transport myself into that world and see things as it is in the author’s mind.
Aha! came the awareness…
As I learn and explore on the coaching presence, I now relate fiction to putting myself in others shoes and enhance my empathy and seeing the world from a new perspective. It allows me to experience life countless times, each vastly different than the other. And most importantly, I let not just words but even the silence doesn’t go un noticed.
Say something or our silence will speak what we mean to say or not say.
Always learning!