The capacity to read, literally or not...is a precious gift from God.

All my life...
I am always being told to read something.

"Read the fine print."
"Please read the safety instruction manual in the seat back in front of you."
"Extra! Extra! Read all about it!"
"Read the new bestselling book from author dah dah dah."
"Read the directions."
"Click Here to read more."
"Read the label before opening."

Have you ever really asked why we should be reading so much of the useless drivel out there for public consumption?
Reading the fine print is a waste of time because if it was so important, they would make it bigger in the first place, right?
Reading airline safety manuals is superfluous because when have you ever actually heard of a water landing.
And who actually reads directions or instruction manuals?

Reading between the lines on the contrary, is highly rewarding.
It’s a way of gathering evidence to solve brick wall problems.
Reading between the lines allows us to understand the real meaning of something said or written.
It is an acquired skill enabling us to interpret significance, often implied or hidden, through further examination and observation.

Once the meaning is deciphered, we start wondering why the person did not come right out to tell us straight in the face.
Maybe the person has difficulties verbalising his/ her thoughts.
Hmmm...
I do not deny the guilt within.

Attending to the empty spaces between the lines of print or rather, what is left unsaid, the values and assumptions become an important dimension of what we read because...
If not read correctly, it may lead to demarcation, or even battle lines.

So how often do we make the right inferences and understand the implied message fully?

Life is so simple yet we chose to make it complicated.