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“See Spot Run.” That sentence was from one of your first reading lessons.

More than 70 years ago, the Scott, Foresman and Co. publishing house introduced the immortal “Dick and Jane” readers. Millions of kids learned to read from those books – me included.

You learned to read at a very young age. It was fun.

Then came television, it was more fun, and your reading was cut in half – maybe more.

Then came beer and less reading.

Then came a job and even less reading.

Then came marriage and family, and reading books converted to reading bank statements and insurance policies, and helping your kids learn to read from the very same books you learned from.

You get the idea. Many people, maybe even you, have replaced reading with other activities, pleasures or necessities in life.

I believe it’s time to reverse that trend.

Here are a few reading thoughts…

On book reports. Teachers asked you to do book reports for a reason. Book reports helped you talk about and think about what you read. Book reports helped you understand the impact of the book and generated thoughts and ideas about your new knowledge.

On tests. Tests, especially essay questions, forced you to clarify and elaborate on what you read. Almost forced understanding, especially if you were like me – cramming the night before.

On speed reading. I am against it. You can’t read “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand in a minute. You have to read every word. You read a book to gain knowledge and wisdom from the lessons and the ideas. You read for the experience and the pleasure. It’s not a race; it’s a journey. If you want to win, think tortoise, not hare.

On fiction or nonfiction. Novels are not as thought-provoking or idea-laden as nonfiction. I am prejudiced toward nonfiction because it’s more “how to,” and because I write it. I recommend that you treat yourself to a novel or two a year.

The benefits of reading are short-term and long-term:

Read to enjoy.

Read to understand.

Read to get answers.

Read to strategize.

Read to see what others are thinking.

Read to learn.

Read to expand your knowledge.

Read to refine your thinking.

Read to create an atmosphere of focused thought.

Read to generate new ideas.

Read to achieve.

Read to win.

Read to earn.

Here are some of my personal reading tips from things I do as I am reading, and after I put the book down:

• I highlight as I read, but I don’t just underline what the author said. I take my own notes as I read.

• I write in the margins and enter my margin notes in an action file. I put thoughts and ideas in writing as soon as they occur.

• I can identify with characters and characteristics. Most notably Holden Caulfield; he was the first.

• I discuss to clarify. I talk about what I learned from reading to clarify and affirm my own thinking.

• I take action on things I want to try or things I’m trying to accomplish.

• I gain insight. Especially when I read about creativity and thinking.

• I am inspired by those in the arts whose paintings, woodcuts and photographs I admire.

• I adjust philosophies and thoughts when more credible ones emerge. When I read, I’m open to learn and open to new ideas.

Read 10 pages a day. At the end of a year you will have read 3,650 pages. Those pages will teach you more, inspire you more and earn you more than the TV reruns you’re watching.