<p>Two skills, which go hand in hand, that can change someone's life are reading and writing.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Reading, because it can open up whole new worlds, expose us to knowledge, challenge our worldview, and allow us to experience life from another person's point of view. So, by learning how to read, and reading books--whether good or bad--we can improve ourselves and equip us with the opportunity to change our lives.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Consider James Matthews, for example, he is a South African writer and poet, who was listed in the A-Z of African writers. Before his fame as a writer, he worked as a messenger for a national publication, <em>Cape Times. </em>He considers his introduction to a library and his quest to read as instrumental to his success and to how he changed the circumstances of his life.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Writing, on the other hand, allows you to communicate effectively with others, it allows you to explore your thoughts and be more introspective, it even allows some to have a living, but most importantly, writing can even heal the soul. While for others, writing not only changed their life, it even saved them.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Think of those people who use journaling as a tool to help them understand themselves, improve themselves, and even stave off depression. Along with therapy and mediation, some people use writing to help them release pent-up emotions so they can overcome their demons and improve their mental health.</p>
<p>These two skills, reading and writing, are therefore essential skills that can change someone's life.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Sources:</p>
<ol>
  <li>How reading can change your life. https://mg.co.za/article/2016-04-13-how-reading-can-change-your-life</li>
  <li>How Writing Saved My Life. http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/writing-saved-life</li>
</ol>
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