Books
My dear friend and neighbor gave me some new books
recently. As I looked through them I decided to follow the advice of one of
my favorite authors, Leo Buscaglia. Taking Leo’s lead then I ignored the
covers, skipped the introductions, and dived right into the middle of them.
Opening each book halfway through I started to read. I have found that this
is often the best way to see if a book can grab your mind, speak to your
heart, and touch your soul. In the best books a few lines can say more to
you than a chapter and a single page can enlighten you more than a dozen
volumes. Both of my friend’s books did just this and I look forward to
reading them from end to end.
Whether we know it or not each of us is writing a book right now. It is
called our life story and we pen it every day we live and with every choice
we make. Some people spend a lot of time working on their covers. They throw
all their efforts into making them as attractive as possible. Other people
spend their time writing and rewriting their introductions. They hope that a
great introduction will lead to a great life. What all of these people don’t
realize is that life is the pages that follow. Life is the thoughts we
think, the love we share, and the good we do everyday. Life is the joyous
times we create as well as the pains and trials we learn from. Life is work,
play, kindness, laughter, family, and friendships. Life is living.
When it comes to your life story then don’t spend too much time on the cover
and let the introduction write itself. Concentrate instead on filling the
rest of your pages with living, loving, and learning and always let God be
your co-writer. If you do your book will grab a lot of minds, speak to a lot
of hearts, and touch a lot of souls with its wisdom and light. It may just
end up being a classic both on Earth and in Heaven.
"As obedient children, do not conform to the evil
desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you
is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: 'Be holy, because I
am holy.'" (1 Peter 14-15 NIV)
Joseph J. Mazzella