Have you ever walked into a bookstore or library and pulled some random book off the shelf just because the title interested you or the cover attracted you? And then, when you got home and started to read it, you discovered to your surprise that it was exactly what you needed at that moment in your life. Something inspiring, or validating, or transformative. You were stunned by the wisdom of the author's words. You fell in love with his prose. You wanted to learn more.
This happened to me recently. I picked up Stephen Cope's book, "The Great Work of Your Life--A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling." On page 9, he describes what can happen when we hit a crossroads in our lives. Perhaps we lose a loved on, or lose our job, or retire, or divorce. The last child leaves home. Illness strikes. Everything changes. We can't see the way forward because we have no idea where we want to go or what we want to do. Everything that is familiar, and secure, and predictable shifts. Cope writes:
"They came to this crossroads and found themselves rooted there, with one foot firmly planted on each side of the intersection. Alas, they never moved off the dime. They procrastinated. Dithered. Finally, they put up a folding chair smack in the middle of that crossroads and lived there for the rest of their lives. After a while, they forgot entirely that there even was a crossroads...forgot that there was a choice."
That's what happened to me. At some point I found myself contemplating which rocking chair I should set up in the middle of that intersection, unable to decide which road I should take going forward, and whether it was worth the effort.
Cope's book led me to tackle this stack of books:
...and this stack:
...several of which I read years ago and intend to revisit, as well as several I recently read cover to cover. Twice. In rapid succession.
Why? Because Buddhist psychology and practice fascinate me. Because the authors are brilliant and authentic. The writing is fluent and lyrical. Which makes me a bit jealous. It discourages me from beginning something new at this late hour in my own life. But it also inspires me...
...the same way I am inspired by a friend who was recently invited to display one of her paintings at an art show, for the first time in her life. Her talent astounds me.
...the same way I am carried away by music that has the power to transform my mood and ignite my energy. I can't imagine how anyone can orchestrate such melodies, such beautiful harmonies, such touching lyrics.
I am in awe of what these writers, artists, and musicians can create...when I have trouble putting my thoughts into words, and commas still confuse me. When I can't really draw a decent stick figure. When I can barely carry a tune.
Then, I remind myself that, after college, I devoted seven years of my life, 24/7, to the study of medicine...and thirty years to its practice. That was my path in life. Now, I'm writing about it. It turns out that I won't be needing that rocker after all. I've already chosen the road I plan to take.
Or, perhaps, the road has chosen me.
That's what happened to me. At some point I found myself contemplating which rocking chair I should set up in the middle of that intersection, unable to decide which road I should take going forward, and whether it was worth the effort.
"When faced with a decision,
choose the path that feeds your soul."
~Dorothy Mendoza Rowe~
...and this stack:
...several of which I read years ago and intend to revisit, as well as several I recently read cover to cover. Twice. In rapid succession.
Why? Because Buddhist psychology and practice fascinate me. Because the authors are brilliant and authentic. The writing is fluent and lyrical. Which makes me a bit jealous. It discourages me from beginning something new at this late hour in my own life. But it also inspires me...
...the same way I am inspired by a friend who was recently invited to display one of her paintings at an art show, for the first time in her life. Her talent astounds me.
...the same way I am carried away by music that has the power to transform my mood and ignite my energy. I can't imagine how anyone can orchestrate such melodies, such beautiful harmonies, such touching lyrics.
I am in awe of what these writers, artists, and musicians can create...when I have trouble putting my thoughts into words, and commas still confuse me. When I can't really draw a decent stick figure. When I can barely carry a tune.
"Creativity is intelligence
having fun."
~Albert Einstein~
Then, I remind myself that, after college, I devoted seven years of my life, 24/7, to the study of medicine...and thirty years to its practice. That was my path in life. Now, I'm writing about it. It turns out that I won't be needing that rocker after all. I've already chosen the road I plan to take.
Or, perhaps, the road has chosen me.
"Wherever you go,
go with all your heart."
~Confucius~
jan
You had me with your headline, then your story lifted my soul. I searched for a way to let you know that I appreciate your blogs. I hope this 'Post a Comment" works! I'm so glad you've chosen to write, and I believe you will help patients through storytelling as you did with medicine. Thank you, and please keep writing. Today, I decided to choose the path that will feed my soul.
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