"You cannot know how many people your words, actions and thoughts have touched."
- Thich Nhet Hahn, No Death, No Fear (2002)
I just finished reading a thought-provoking little book by Mitch Albom titled The Five People You Meet In Heaven. It's a short read but each page leaves you chewing on its lesson, so it takes awhile to get through. I made notes as I read it. Here are some lines from the book that spoke to me---in no particular order:
"This is a story about a man named Eddie and it begins at the end, with Eddie dying in the sun. It might seem strange to start a story with an ending. But all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time."
"This is the greatest gift God can give you: to understand what happened in your life. To have it explained. It is the peace you have been searching for."
"All parents damage their children. It cannot be helped. Youth, like pristine glass, absorbs the prints of its handlers. Some parents smudge, others crack, a few shatter childhoods completely into jagged little pieces, beyond repair."
"We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves."
"The world is full of stories, but the stories are all one."
Go buy, borrow, or steal it. And prepare yourself to do some thinking about your own life.
The Marlins looked like champs tonight, winning Game 5, 6-4. It got a little dicey toward the end, but they held on and are heading for New York and Game 6 to be played on Saturday. Torre will start Andy Pettitte. MeKeon hasn't announced. Stay tuned.
I learned this morning that my Journal was the AOL Editor's #1 Weekly Pick. I'm flabbergasted, but honored that my effort has been recognized in this manner. I'll try not to let it go to my head.
20 comments:
the fact that you begin your post with a quote from my favorite buddhist monk made me predisposed to love you. and i do! browsed thru your journal a bit this a.m. and will be back when i have time. glad to have another aol journal to add to my favorites. politics, baseball, and buddhist monks. you're my kind of human being.
I was touched by your entry about parents and children. I worry daily that I am doing something to hurt or damage my children. I love them more than anything but I still worry.
If you get time check out my journal and tell me what you think
http://journals.aol.com/jerrysgirl1999/whatsonmymindtoday
what a great read keep on writing please!!!!
I appreciate you bringing the book to my attention. I'll definitely look for it the next time at Barnes & Nobles. I just completed "A Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. It also has alot of thought provoking insights that I think you might enjoy. It's not your typical "self help" book either. Thanks for sharing...Jerry
Oddly, I came across your journal and its pretty awesome that i did because i read that you worked in atlanta in telecommunications. well thats exactly what i wanna do. so i was just curious if you could give some info on what you did and some perks and what you did in school. that would help me out a whole bunch. thank you shareeea87@aol.com
My fiancejust brought that book home for me and I just put it on the shelf, judging the book by its cover. Thank You for enlightening me.
Hi, I'll have to check out the book sometime. Sometimes we just need to hear all those reminders of what's really going on. You might like "Kitchen Table Wisdom-Stories that Heal" by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. Wonderful insights from a doctor who live with her own chronic illness and is learning what true healing is about. Thanks for your input. Say hi to the ocean for me. Moonflower50.
I read the same book.. "the 5 people you meet in heaven". It was great.. absolutly wonderful. I could not put that book down, and I loved the ending, how he ended up right back where he passed away. It definitly makes you think about your life, and the effect you may have on someone, and how deep down, we are all tied to one another in some way or form. Great book and great blog!
today was great but not for Laura and Denisse because they got in a arguement i just hope things will work out for them espeaacialy with kayla and mike mraw
they dont like eachother anynemore i hope they will forgive eacother.
i cant explain because its private there so far apart from friendship now. thats why i cant explain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dieing scares me naught,well maybe just the thought. Patty~
very nice!
I agree with you about the Marlins and this World Series. I wrote about it today also. Check it out: http://journals.aol.com/hawnsmith/Anneslife/
It isn't every year that we get good play-offs and a good series. This is one that I hate to see end.
The book sounds great. I'll try to get it at the library.
Hi from one of the three people that love you most on this earth. I already had a note to buy the book "The 5 people you meet in heaven" -- now I know I will go out and et it tomorrow. I AM SOOOOOOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!! You were already number 1 in my book for anything you do. Retta4Golf
Have you read Mitch Albom's book "Tuesday's With Morrie"?? It's a very fast read, but a wonderful book. Based on what you have quoted from "The Five People..." I am venturing a guess that you might like "Tuesdays With Morrie" as well.
Congratulations on making AOL's top pick. Good to hear about this book. Try reading "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks - about a man and woman rekindling their relationship after the kids are gone and written in a mans perspective - a quick read but a touching book. Check out MYSOUTHERNHOME (my journal), it's not "made it" yet to pick of the week though, but I'm having fun with the journal anyway. Have a great weekend.
It's nice to know someone else saves quotes. I have books and books of them! I'll be back to check yours. <wink> Journal is great!! Have a great day!
~When a thing has been said and said well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it. ~ Anatole France
i like the fact that you can talk about everything that is so interesting already. like the movies and books. the book that you were talking about seems very interesting so im gonna have to see what i can do to get ahold of it.
another thing that i like about all of the entries is that even though you talk about books and movies and what not, you still have time to talk about baseball. i admire that :o)
Wow!!! I will definately go get the book and read it. I have had so much on my mind about religion. It sounds like a book I would be interested in reading. I am at a point in my life that I think I need to find myself. I want to know more about Heaven. I think you express yourself very well. Good Luck to you :)
my daughter and I also have read "the lovely bones" and I think you would like that one because it deals with the story of a young girl and her death and her, she narrates the book from heaven and it is very touching. God Bless WezeFAITH101
Parenting is the toughest thing in the world any person could ever incounter and as aparent i feel that parents do not get the recognation that is due expecially teens. So i feel that if anyone that has not had children has not experianced life ... it is a whole different world ...
Post a Comment