I spent several weeks out of town and thought it would be a good time to consider my purpose. Now that Katie and John are all but grown, I need a job to do. I stay busy, I'm not saying I don't. I'm just saying.
When I was little I always thought I would discover something. Early on, I thought it had to do with math. I thought I would uncover a new way that numbers behaved. My first "D" in math came in the fifth grade and so began my search for another area of expertise.
I've been searching ever since. I just read The Alchemist and it has disturbed me. It's all about following your "personal legend", a poor translation from the Portuguese in my opinion. But, I can't think of a better term, so yes, personal legend. If you read this book I want you to come over here and talk to me about it. Paulo Coehlo is the author and he says that all of creation conspires to help you reach it. Great, that's for people who already know what it is.
I'll probably get to the end of my life and learn that my purpose was the journey and not a destination. Bla, bla, bla. Just in case, I'm still pondering.
That's me on the right.
1977, a great year for fashion
About Me
8 comments:
I browsed the Wikipedia page on the book. Sounds like an interesting read. I may check it out after I finish "Blue Like Jazz."
I definitely am a big fan of the journey....so sure that there is a purpose too - yours has alot to do with humans under the age of 2 who grow up and think you are a natural part of who they are - and you are. Loved hugging your neck this weekend = see you wed!
Our brains are so similar right now it's crazy. You are concise and smart. I throw up. To-MAE-to, To-MA-to. :) I love you.
The journey idea is genius. When will I embrace it?
I read this book about 10 years ago (when I worked @ B&N, of course). I don't remember much about it, so thanks for the refresher.
Funny you mentioned the word "invent." I recently took the "Personal DNA" test that I discovered from a link on Bill P's blog. Turns out..... I'm a "generous inventor." Doh! What does that even mean, I don't know. But I can bet, along with you, that my invention most certainly won't be in the area of mathematics, as that subject squeezed the brain too hard.
I think, at some point in my life, I'll be able to punch out a novel or a screenplay. That would be my invention.
Zoe and Henry aren't too shabby, either, although I can only claim to have contributed the biological resources and God mixed up the wonderful rest of that recipe.
OK, on with the day (or rather, goodnight!).....
I think you sell yourself so short with the singular 'purpose'. I can't find airspace fresh from people who are talking about how you've encouraged them, or how the things you do inspire them. But if we are determined to find another purpose then I'll be right over to talk about the book, one of my all-time faves.
Its good to have you back. And that book is sitting on our table because you wanted Patrick to read it...Maybe I will read it before he does...
Emma
I did not like the Alchemist. I don't really know why - it was just too "lala" for me.
Small world. A friend of ours loaned Jen her copy of "The Alchemist" last night. She's a former English teacher. She really liked the book. I'll let you know what I think after I read it.
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