Yesterday, I found myself in the sauna, seeking a moment of stillness amidst the busyness of life. As I settled in, I noticed a woman across from me, legs elegantly folded, completely at ease in the heat, engrossed in a book.
Yes, a book!
In the sauna! My mind raced with questions: How is she managing this? Isn’t the paper getting damp? Is she feeling dizzy?
Though I kept my thoughts to myself, my expression must have given me away. She glanced up, smiled knowingly, and said, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Her words caught me off guard, yet they resonated deeply. It was as if she had read my mind before I even had the chance to process my thoughts.
A chance encounter in a sauna reminded me that wisdom has a sense of humor.
What a beautifully reflective moment, almost mystical, the way books thread themselves into the fabric of ordinary life. That image of them as “unexpected mirrors” is especially striking. It’s like they slip into our days as silent companions, offering insight when we least expect it.
One of the most memorable places I’ve read was in a crowded airport lounge, surrounded by the chaos of announcements and bustling travellers. In that moment, I found solace within the pages of a novel, losing myself in a world far removed from the airport’s hustle. It served as a reminder that reading can transport us anywhere, even amidst the noise.
It’s curious, perhaps not so curious, how often I draw meaning, comfort and clarity from books. They have become a muse for me, not just because I love reading but because they reflect so much of life itself.
Over time, I’ve discovered quiet similarities—little lessons hiding between the lines:
1. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
An age-old saying, yet life often provides real examples. That woman, reading in the sauna, didn’t fit the “scene,” but perhaps she was exactly where she needed to be. Maybe reading saved her from something I’ll never know.
2. The book is better than the movie.
Books allow you to feel things in your own time. They invite you to imagine, pause and breathe—even in the midst of heat, people and chaos. The version in your mind is always more personal than what a screen can portray.
3. Some people are open books.
Being an “open book” doesn’t mean you owe anyone your story. Sometimes, it simply means you carry your truth with ease. That woman? She wasn’t performing calm. She was calm. And perhaps that’s the ultimate goal.
4. You’ve got to read between the lines.
Not every reader is seeking entertainment. Sometimes, reading is a lifeline, a break from overthinking, a way to feel less alone. I’ve done it! And I still do.
5. There’s no right way to do things ‘by the book'
Reading doesn’t come with a rulebook. It doesn’t demand silence, candles or picture-perfect moments. Some people read in taxis, in noisy homes, while cooking. And it all counts.
6. One chapter never tells the whole story.
We often glance at others and think we know who they are. But a single moment, even a peculiar one like reading in a sauna, doesn’t reveal the entire plot. It’s merely a paragraph. I often wonder why I’m drawn to books.
Perhaps it’s because they hold pieces of people, or maybe they teach me to listen better. They remind me to keep turning the page—even when things don’t make sense yet.
As I reflect on the lessons learned from reading in a sauna, I encourage you to explore your own creative outlets inspired by books. Whether it’s journaling your thoughts, sketching scenes from your favourite stories, or joining a book club, let reading be a springboard for your creativity.
After all, the world is full of unexpected places to find inspiration, and sometimes, it’s in those very moments that we discover the most about ourselves.