I finally found a copy of Wednesday Wars. I loved it! I loved it for all of the same reasons that you all did. I too laughed out loud. My husband read, it for that very reason. He wanted to know what was so funny. It was fun to read your reviews, and remember all of the great moments once more.
Thanks for choosing such a great story!
Saturday, April 18
Really Late Post for "The Alchemist"
I really liked this book. I was interested in some of the comments that you all made in your reviews. My thought is, that having grown up in the church, many of the author's insights, seemed like common knowledge, or common sense to me. I've been spending a lot of time with my nonmember neighbor, and I'm realizing how much I take my upbringing for granted. I can see why this book would be life altering for people.
I was inspired by the authors introduction. In following our dreams, or finding our own legend, he says that we have 4 obstacles;
1. We're told that it's impossible.
2. Love.
3. Fear of defeat.
4. Fear of realizing our dream.
I can see how those obstacles have played out in my own life, and kept me from pursuing activities and interests that could have been very fulfilling for me.
It was a good pick. Thanks!
I was inspired by the authors introduction. In following our dreams, or finding our own legend, he says that we have 4 obstacles;
1. We're told that it's impossible.
2. Love.
3. Fear of defeat.
4. Fear of realizing our dream.
I can see how those obstacles have played out in my own life, and kept me from pursuing activities and interests that could have been very fulfilling for me.
It was a good pick. Thanks!
Thursday, April 9
The Alchemist, a little late
I am and have always been a detail-oriented person. I see grammatical errors and misspellings, misplaced books on library shelves, fallen strands of hair on sweaters. So when I first read Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, a few things bothered me.
First, the fact that it is a fable with an old-school, biblical feel. I don’t mean that the language was biblical; there were no thees, thous, or yeas. Some of the events, however seemed far-fetched, impossible, coincidental, and other-wordly, not the work of man at all. Things seemed to just drop out of the sky to further our hero Santiago’s goal, he seemed to be along for the ride. The explanation? The Universe was pushing Santiago toward his Personal Legend. For example, when Santiago began working for the owner of the faltering glass shop, business began to boom. The boy magically earned enough money to cross the desert. When Santiago looked into the eyes of the girl at the oasis, he fell in love immediately, without doubt or even conversation. When Santiago dreamed of an attack in the desert, his premonition turned out to be real. And, to top them all, when Santiago was challenged to turn himself into the wind, he did so.
What does this have to do with details? The fact that there were so few of them. The explanation for these events was the same: Santiago was fulfilling his Personal Legend, and the Universe was working with him to achieve this goal. It was his faith (like the bibical Jonah, David, and Noah) that allowed him to succeed.
What bothered me about this was that there was no step-by-step recipe telling me how exactly he did all these things. When I turn to the book for these answers, I read that Santiago had to learn to listen to his heart, that he had to come to a deeper understanding of his place in the Universe. But I still don’t l know how he did it.
I know this problem is mine. I have always wanted to know how things operate. I constantly ask “Why?” and “How?” But then I remember what a wise, wrinkled woman once told me: “When I enter a room and flip the light switch, the light turns on. I don’t need to know how it works. I just know that it does work.” She was illustrating her faith in the Universe. For me, detail-oriented person that I am, I struggle with not knowing the answers and have always had a hard time with faith. Santiago did not. He dove into his tasks with determination after being reminded of the treasure he was pursuing. While I admired his determination, I did not relate to it and craved something more. This frustrated me as I read.
Something important happened after I read this book that caused me to rethink the importance of those details: I lost my job. I, like Santiago, did not cause this to happen. I guess you could say the Universe stepped in to help me achieve my Personal Legend. You might also say it could have happened to anyone, and there was no Universe at work at all. It doesn’t matter. What matters is how I respond to this change. My father once told me, it doesn’t matter what college you go to; it’s what you do when you get there. And there is truth in that. What will I do next? Will I coddle my fear or will I see how I can use this change in my favor? What did the boy Santiago do? He, at each turn of his road, dove in and embraced change. He remembered his Personal Legend, and he continued his quest for treasure. The Universe may have just handed me a gift. Maybe this time, I can learn to lay aside my need for the details and trust that the switch will keep sending the light my way.
“...You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world...”
~The Desiderata
First, the fact that it is a fable with an old-school, biblical feel. I don’t mean that the language was biblical; there were no thees, thous, or yeas. Some of the events, however seemed far-fetched, impossible, coincidental, and other-wordly, not the work of man at all. Things seemed to just drop out of the sky to further our hero Santiago’s goal, he seemed to be along for the ride. The explanation? The Universe was pushing Santiago toward his Personal Legend. For example, when Santiago began working for the owner of the faltering glass shop, business began to boom. The boy magically earned enough money to cross the desert. When Santiago looked into the eyes of the girl at the oasis, he fell in love immediately, without doubt or even conversation. When Santiago dreamed of an attack in the desert, his premonition turned out to be real. And, to top them all, when Santiago was challenged to turn himself into the wind, he did so.
What does this have to do with details? The fact that there were so few of them. The explanation for these events was the same: Santiago was fulfilling his Personal Legend, and the Universe was working with him to achieve this goal. It was his faith (like the bibical Jonah, David, and Noah) that allowed him to succeed.
What bothered me about this was that there was no step-by-step recipe telling me how exactly he did all these things. When I turn to the book for these answers, I read that Santiago had to learn to listen to his heart, that he had to come to a deeper understanding of his place in the Universe. But I still don’t l know how he did it.
I know this problem is mine. I have always wanted to know how things operate. I constantly ask “Why?” and “How?” But then I remember what a wise, wrinkled woman once told me: “When I enter a room and flip the light switch, the light turns on. I don’t need to know how it works. I just know that it does work.” She was illustrating her faith in the Universe. For me, detail-oriented person that I am, I struggle with not knowing the answers and have always had a hard time with faith. Santiago did not. He dove into his tasks with determination after being reminded of the treasure he was pursuing. While I admired his determination, I did not relate to it and craved something more. This frustrated me as I read.
Something important happened after I read this book that caused me to rethink the importance of those details: I lost my job. I, like Santiago, did not cause this to happen. I guess you could say the Universe stepped in to help me achieve my Personal Legend. You might also say it could have happened to anyone, and there was no Universe at work at all. It doesn’t matter. What matters is how I respond to this change. My father once told me, it doesn’t matter what college you go to; it’s what you do when you get there. And there is truth in that. What will I do next? Will I coddle my fear or will I see how I can use this change in my favor? What did the boy Santiago do? He, at each turn of his road, dove in and embraced change. He remembered his Personal Legend, and he continued his quest for treasure. The Universe may have just handed me a gift. Maybe this time, I can learn to lay aside my need for the details and trust that the switch will keep sending the light my way.
“...You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world...”
~The Desiderata
Sunday, April 5
The Alchemist
There were several things that I liked about The Alchemist, but overall, I just couldn't give myself over to it and in the end, I just...well...it fell flat for me.
The Things I Liked:
1. I am constantly amazed at how authors come up with their stories. Seriously, the creativity is amazing and this book had me at times thinking, Wow. I didn't expect that turn, etc.
2. I love a happy ending, so I'm glad Santiago was able to find his Personal Legend
3. While there were many things that annoyed me about the book, I found myself sometimes teary-eyed thinking, *sniff* "That is so true!" There was a lot of wisdom and quotable things in the book.
The Things I Disliked:
1. My biggest bugaboo about the book was that it did indeed have a lot of truth in it...only to be mingled with the philosophies of men. And considering how popular this book is (my book touted that it was the most translated book on the planet!!), it only then continues to confuse people about the REAL reason we are here on this earth. So, my faith in what I feel to be true took umbrage with the book.
For example, after a certain point, this just sounded like one long promotion for "The Secret," about how "the universe" is working to do everything "it" can to help you succeed in getting your "Personal Legend." Whereas "the universe" is never defined as the Lord, He never gets the real credit for what takes place. See, I wanted Santiago to go back to the church and discover that the "real" treasure that he was unable to initially see WAS the Divinity of God, who is capable of giving prophetic dreams, or placing opposition in our path (ie: the soilder at the pyramids) or windstorms, etc. etc. But that didn't happen.
In fact, one of the quotes that I rolled my eyes at is this:
"...there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth."
Again, another example where it took elements of truth and then distorts the fact that "the soul of the universe" was something MORE. To me, that MORE is the knowledge that we lived premortally and first heard the plan of salvation. We KNEW then what our mission was on earth, but then we come to earth and the veil makes it so we have to "find our personal legend" again...but that legend isn't finding buried treasure in the literal sand, or fame or even wisdom or what we "really want" materially. It is learning the simple things like faith and repentance so that we can go back and live with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, which is what all of our souls truly cry for...a return to home, because that is where true happiness, where our true "Personal Legend" wants to lead us.
So, I guess the book for me was like having all the ingredients for a great and elegant dessert, but after a few bites, you realize that it wasn't as good as you wanted it to be. It probably also made me realize I need to do more member missionary work if I feel this strongly about it.
UPDATE: I just got done listening to the first session on Sunday of General Conference and all I can say is that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf talk basically said everything I wish I could have said without being so clumsy about it.
The Things I Liked:
1. I am constantly amazed at how authors come up with their stories. Seriously, the creativity is amazing and this book had me at times thinking, Wow. I didn't expect that turn, etc.
2. I love a happy ending, so I'm glad Santiago was able to find his Personal Legend
3. While there were many things that annoyed me about the book, I found myself sometimes teary-eyed thinking, *sniff* "That is so true!" There was a lot of wisdom and quotable things in the book.
The Things I Disliked:
1. My biggest bugaboo about the book was that it did indeed have a lot of truth in it...only to be mingled with the philosophies of men. And considering how popular this book is (my book touted that it was the most translated book on the planet!!), it only then continues to confuse people about the REAL reason we are here on this earth. So, my faith in what I feel to be true took umbrage with the book.
For example, after a certain point, this just sounded like one long promotion for "The Secret," about how "the universe" is working to do everything "it" can to help you succeed in getting your "Personal Legend." Whereas "the universe" is never defined as the Lord, He never gets the real credit for what takes place. See, I wanted Santiago to go back to the church and discover that the "real" treasure that he was unable to initially see WAS the Divinity of God, who is capable of giving prophetic dreams, or placing opposition in our path (ie: the soilder at the pyramids) or windstorms, etc. etc. But that didn't happen.
In fact, one of the quotes that I rolled my eyes at is this:
"...there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth."
Again, another example where it took elements of truth and then distorts the fact that "the soul of the universe" was something MORE. To me, that MORE is the knowledge that we lived premortally and first heard the plan of salvation. We KNEW then what our mission was on earth, but then we come to earth and the veil makes it so we have to "find our personal legend" again...but that legend isn't finding buried treasure in the literal sand, or fame or even wisdom or what we "really want" materially. It is learning the simple things like faith and repentance so that we can go back and live with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, which is what all of our souls truly cry for...a return to home, because that is where true happiness, where our true "Personal Legend" wants to lead us.
So, I guess the book for me was like having all the ingredients for a great and elegant dessert, but after a few bites, you realize that it wasn't as good as you wanted it to be. It probably also made me realize I need to do more member missionary work if I feel this strongly about it.
UPDATE: I just got done listening to the first session on Sunday of General Conference and all I can say is that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf talk basically said everything I wish I could have said without being so clumsy about it.
Wednesday, April 1
The Alchemist - loved it
I kept on pronouncing this book (in my mind) the achelmist before I found out what an Alchemist actually is. Now I'll never say it wrong in my head or out loud again. This was such a great read. You gotta love how short it was in length too. ;)
My friend recommended this book to me more than a year ago. I finally had a chance to read it, along with you all, and found that my dear friend could have written this book herself. All the advice she gives me and all the positive perspective she has on life, is portrayed in this simple story.
Some people know themselves early on. Some of us are still figuring out who we are and what we are striving for in life. Finding your purpose in life isn't the only key. One has to love them self enough to make good choices and feel content in any given situation. There have been many a time I have said, "It's just not supposed to be" or "I'm not good enough." This friend has said in those times, "Gina, you are acting like the world is against you and that isn't the case!" The universe isn't fighting us. The universe is actually cheering for us! If we want something badly enough, a higher power can help us achieve our goal.
This lesson is a great reminder no matter what your religion!
And here are a couple quotes that hit me very deeply as an LDS woman:
My friend recommended this book to me more than a year ago. I finally had a chance to read it, along with you all, and found that my dear friend could have written this book herself. All the advice she gives me and all the positive perspective she has on life, is portrayed in this simple story.
Some people know themselves early on. Some of us are still figuring out who we are and what we are striving for in life. Finding your purpose in life isn't the only key. One has to love them self enough to make good choices and feel content in any given situation. There have been many a time I have said, "It's just not supposed to be" or "I'm not good enough." This friend has said in those times, "Gina, you are acting like the world is against you and that isn't the case!" The universe isn't fighting us. The universe is actually cheering for us! If we want something badly enough, a higher power can help us achieve our goal.
This lesson is a great reminder no matter what your religion!
"When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there's no need at all to understand what's happening, because everything happens within you, and even men can turn themselves into the wind. As long as the wind helps, of course." pg. 147
And here are a couple quotes that hit me very deeply as an LDS woman:
"The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a guarantee that there exists a world that is perfect. God created the world so that, through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels of his wisdom. That's what I mean by action." pg 127
"Remember what I told you: the world is only the visible aspect of God. And that what alchemy does is to bring spiritual perfection into contact with the material plane." pg 142
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