[LeThanhPhong]

(Quora) What does reading a lot of books do to your mind?

Answered by John Micheal bDomingo:

This dot represents an idea.



A line between dots represents a connection between ideas.


Reading books gives your brain more dots to work with.


Then, it helps you connect these dots.


The more connections you have, the more you understand the world around you.

Keep connecting the dots.

Keep reading books.

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(Quora) When and why did you choose to stay single for the rest of your life?

Answered by J Robert Post:

(His sweater looks familiar )
Me last Halloween, dressed up as the Dude.

After my last relationship ended a couple years ago, I decided to take a long break from relationships. I haven't necessarily made the decision for that break to last for the rest of my life, but I'm prepared for that possibility.

Why?

Well, I tend to attract a certain type of woman. And that type has seems to always have untreated mental illness and multiple hidden toxic traits that always come out eventually. I finally got sick of becoming the punching bag of every relationship and decided to quit altogether.

Obviously, if I'm attracting that sort of individual into my life then I must have some issues as well.

So I went to a therapist to see what I could find out about that. It turns out that I give other people too many chances. Growing up, I always felt like my parents were overly harsh and were determined to destroy my chances rather than help me find opportunities. And I chose to be the opposite way because I didn't appreciate being treated like that.

But there's a problem with that. Most humans, once they see that they will be given multiple do-overs when they screw up rather than face real consequences will take full advantage of that. Rather than controlling their own behavior, it becomes a contest to see how shitty of a human being they can be while still getting away with it.

So, I've got to make some changes in how I relate with others. But I'm 49 and this old dog doesn't learn new tricks as easily as he once did. Plus, I'm not entirely certain that I want to change. If other people are that unwilling to strive to be decent human beings on their own, then maybe I don't want to be closely associated with them. I don't need anyone to constantly monitor and correct my behavior. I'm not perfect and I'm open to constructive criticism, but I always try to be my best and never take unfair advantage of others. And I'd resent having to be an adult babysitter for someone else's behavior.

So, I don't know if I'll ever have another relationship or not. I'll either have to change my mind about babysitting adults or find someone interested in me who isn't just waiting for their first opportunity to be a complete jerk. And that hasn't happened yet. And maybe it never will.

And I'm okay with that because I've learned that even if I'm alone, I'm still in pretty good company.
Added 7/11/22: It seems as if this answer has resonated with so many more people than I ever expected. I'm really blown away by all of that. And the comments and the conversations that have started from them have been overwhelmingly positive and thought provoking. I'm thankful for all of you. It's possible that I won't be able to respond to all the comments since there are so many. So apologies if I missed yours.