Wednesday, June 28, 2006

See you soon!

For the past few days I have been working my way through the book, 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. I am reading it for my books group. I admit to beginning to read with a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I don't like to read or watch things with too much hype. I wanted to be the only person in the world who hadn't seen Titanic because I didn't want to give in to the hype. I almost didn't read any of the Harry Potter books for the same reason. I kind-of felt this way about this book. I have found that when there is a great deal of hoopla about something I get disappointed when I do see or read it.

Luckily I admit to enjoying this book very much. It's a sweet story with wonderful lessons. Interestingly it is a very simple phrase that has been coming back to me again and again. I had to go back through the book to find it. Usually when I read I either fold down the corners of pages or put in bookmarks or write softly in pencil beside passages that hit me. This was so small that it didn't register until I had read past it.

The boy and the alchemist are riding across the desert having a conversation about alchemists. The boy asks about some of them and why they didn't succeed in their quest.

"They were looking only for gold," his companion answered. "They were seeking the treasure of their destiny without wanting actually to live out their destiny."


That passage just resonated for me. I think that I have been guilty of this for the past little while. So worried about money and the lack of it, I have been looking towards what will happen when we finally have more of it. I have been missing the fact that the journey - the process - is more important that what I am going to get at the end. By thinking in this way I am stifling any creativity and process that might actually create something that might be saleable. No one is going to buy a book written by a stress-case. It will be forced and unnatural and won't fill them up. People will buy books written by someone who is living in the centre of her experience. People will respond to writing that is about life, not about the paycheck that it will bring.

I am off in a couple of hours for a trip HOME. I am doing a one-week flying visit to Canada. It is going to be a crucial rejeuventation for me. Canada. Sigh. I won't be posting very much. I am going to be filling the well, the heart, the belly and the soul. I'll be hugging my loved ones close and meeting new loved ones and eating lots and lots of my Mom's cooking! I'll be back next week - filled up and ready to post much more often. In the meantime, love to you all. Keep safe and well and take care of you.

xo

23 comments:

Susannah Conway said...

It's all in the journey - abso-bloody-lutely. need to remember that sometimes (i'm stressing too)... have a WONDERFUL time back home, my love - you deserve it - can't wait to hear all about it!
Sxx

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful time back home...ah, even the words "back home" have such a comforting ring to them!

And we all need constant reminders about the journey, the process, in part because it's hard not to get caught up in a world that seems to only value the product.

Take care of you!

Deirdre said...

This book has been on my list for a while too. I also tend to steer away from that which is hyped - I hate the disappointment. Have a wonderful time in Canada, hug that baby and eat lots of good food.

tara dawn said...

What a wonderful passage, so filled with meaning. How true it is...what is the meaning of the destination if we do not fully enjoy the process of getting there?
I hope you have a wonderful trip home. Be careful and fill yourself, girl!
Much love to you,
TD

Star said...

Wonderful quote...and one I need to hear about now. I posted quite the rant yesterday about my lack of insight when journaling lately, and I deleted it last night after coming to the realization that it was simple whining.

I was doing exactly what the quote states, missing what the experience of journaling has to offer while trying to get to the end result. I think if I back off and start enjoying the experience more, the hoped-for result will emerge.

Thanks for a great post. And enjoy your time away!

M said...

Have a brilliant trip!! I hope you get to see everyone you want to and eat as much of your mom's cooking as possible!!
It's been beautiful weather everywhere, so you're definitely coming at the right time. Safe journey.

SC said...

yayy! yayy!! yayy!! yayy!! :)

Ali Ambrosio said...

Paulo Coelho is one of my favorites. I didn't realize that there was actually that much hype about his books outside Brasil, although I am aware that he is published in, like, 35 different languages.

I hope you enjoy the fable. It is simple, but meaningful enough that I seem to return about once a year to read again.

Alex S said...

Megg! I didn't realize it was already time for you to go home and I am so happy for you that its now here. I am wishing you a safe, wonderful, amazing, relaxing, & rejuvenating vacation. Looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back!

Kerstin said...

I have not yet read The Alchemist but your post has encouraged me to finally do so.

Your journey to Canada sounds just like mine next week: 17 days with friends in my all-time favorite place, Vancouver. Yay!

Have a safe trip, Megg!

Jessie said...

I love, love, love that book. I read it before I knew there was any hype about it--so luckily hoopla didn't get in the way of the INCREDIBLE story! I should buy that book by the cases because I always give it as graduation gifts and major life transition gifts.

Anyway--I wish you a safe and wonderful journey home. You've missed your family for so long now. I'm really glad you're getting a chance to see them soon. Fill yourself nice and full!

Lots of love to you. And Happy Travels!
j.

Becca said...

What a wonderful passage you quoted, and very sage advice... live out your destiny without concern for the treasure it might bring. It's hard to do that in our world today, but certainly a goal worth striving for. Thanks for that piece of inspiration, and for your well written, thoughtful post.

Have a wonderful, life (and belly!) filling, "gold making" journey home!

Claudia said...

Same to you sweety!

Colorsonmymind said...

Have a great trip!

liz elayne lamoreux said...

i hope you are having a wonderful trip my dear...filling the well...

love to you my friend...

liz

Cate said...

Oh, have a lovely trip! xo

Anonymous said...

Have a fabulous trip! (And enjoy that cooking!) ;) Love, love, LOVE the quote. A good lesson for us all...

Willena said...

Thanks for the timely post. For me, it was one of those things that came just at the right time.

Annie Jeffries said...

I so know the feeling about hype. I still haven't seen Titanic. LOL Must admit though, the book intrigues me.

HoBess said...

Megg this has come to me at exactly the right moment. Thank you. Safe travels to you ... looking forward to reading all about it!

kelly rae said...

yes, i want to live in the center of my experience. i love that! have a fantastic trip home and enjoy your momma!

Frankie said...

Yes, yes, yes! It IS all about the journey, and I know too, how easy it is to lose sight of that sometimes. I'm so glad you've found your way back to the road, away from being focused on the destination. I have yet to read this book, but certainly will now. Thanks for the recommendation! Have SUCH a lovely time at home!! Miss you! xoxo

Di Mackey said...

I almost missed 'The English Patient' because of my distaste for hype, and ended up being one of the few to completely adore it and the book.

Still haven't read Harry Potter however I loved 'The Alchemist' lol, but when I read it no one had heard of it ...

I'm glad that you picked it up anyway. :)