The Elegance of an Informed Mind

Having an extensive home library is something I come by naturally. I’ve been a bookworm since my childhood so it goes without saying that most bookworms tend to own lots of books. I do not own a Kindle or a Nook like most bookworms might have today, mainly because I prefer paper books.

I like holding a real book, the feel of a real book and I like to look at oodles of books on a shelf (or several shelves as is the case with my home library). I do love my home library, but probably the best thing about it (or a digital library) is how it can mysteriously create elegance and boost confidence.

This is a unique kind of elegance that cannot be worn, applied, or purchased. It grows quietly within you every time you follow your curiosity, ask a question, or reach for a book. An informed mind has a softness and strength that radiate far beyond appearance—it’s the glow of a woman who knows herself, trusts her voice, and honors her own growth.

Creating a small home library, whether it’s a single shelf or an entire room, can be a beautiful way to nurture that inner richness. Those books become companions—voices that challenge, comfort, inspire, and guide. They remind you that learning isn’t something reserved for school years; it’s a lifelong conversation with the world. And every time you open a new page, you say to yourself, I am still growing, and I deserve to grow. If you have a Kindle or Nook, fill up that device with lots of non-fiction books. What are you curious about? Plants? Learning a new language? Astronomy? The villages of Ireland? What about biographies of Abraham Lincoln or Winston Churchill? How about a book on famous female scientists or female poets? There is a plethora of knowledge out there. We just have to find what interests us and gets us excited to learn!

Lifelong learning has a remarkable way of building confidence. When you understand the world more deeply, you walk into it with steadier steps. Self-esteem blooms not from perfection, but from knowing you are capable of evolving. Knowledge widens your perspective, sharpens your intuition, and makes your inner landscape more vibrant.

So let your mind be one of your most cherished adornments. Water it with curiosity, decorate it with ideas, and protect it with intention. The elegance that comes from being informed is quiet, powerful, and deeply yours—and it only becomes more radiant with time. Reading has benefits for the body as well. For me, reading instantly relaxes me. There is nothing better than curling up in a cozy chair with a blanket, cup of tea or hot cocoa, and a good book. It is a soothing and calming activity--add some relaxing music softly playing in the background and you have a little bit of heaven on earth...in other words, peace.