For Christmas of 1999 my brother, Sam, gave me a book. It's called, "Illusions - The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah." I love books and like most people who love books have a stack half way up my nightstand of books I want to read.
When I recently went through the basement bookshelf I decided that enough was enough and I had to keep the books I WAS ACTUALLY GOING to read or reread and get rid of the ones that I'd, in all likely hood, not get to.
The first I picked up to work through was this book from my brother. I hope I don't embarrass him by sharing the inscription he wrote on the inside front cover but it is precisely the reason I chose to read it right away.
"Sarah, You have given the gateway to so many life-changing things for me, I thought it would be a nice turnabout it I shared this with you! This is the most incredible book. You can read it a hundred times over and still discover new things. I hope you find joy and inspiration within these pages! Your world is your choice! Eternal love, Sam" Who wouldn't want to read it after a note like that from your brother? :)
I wasn't sure if I could do it justice so here is part of a summary I borrowed from amazon :)
In Illusions, Richard Bach takes to the air to discover the ageless truths that give our souls wings: that people don't need airplanes to soar...that even the darkest clouds have meaning once we lift ourselves above them... and that messiahs can be found in the unlikeliest places--like hay fields, one-traffic-light midwestern towns, and most of all, deep within ourselves.
It's a quick read, a really thought provoking read, and I am so thankful Sam gave it to me. I have always been a true believer in fate, in the fact that things happen for a reason and that life isn't really full of coincidences - situations, people, and experiences are purposeful and brought to us for a reason.
This book is here with me now because it needs to be. I was reminded that the people around me are my teachers, my rocks when I need them to be, and that my happiness is a choice. I love life, I love my family and will continue to do all that I can to rise above the moments where I feel like I am sinking, to start over when I lose my temper, and to wake up each morning looking for joy in the day.
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO ME IN LIFE... I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DETERMINE MY HAPPINESS. I CHOOSE TO FIND THE JOY AND HAPPINESS IN TODAY.....
2 comments:
Girl! You always inspire. Take these next few weeks, that can be overwhelming just as the weeks before Christmas, and slow them down. Make the pace work for you. Breathe. Choose friends over cleaning. Choose a frivolous show over organizing. Take a bath with a glass of wine and a good book. Choose the happiness. When mama is happy - everyone is happy. Give yourself a break and keep seeking joy. We all love you.
Sounds like a great book! And, yes...allow yourself pleasure in every day!
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