Crossroads

"I'm afraid of death, but even more afraid of wasting my life. I'm afraid of love, because it involves things that are beyond our understanding; it sheds such a brilliant light, but the shadow it casts frightens me." - from Brida, by Paulo Coehlo

I recently had the pleasure of reading Brida, Coehlo's best novel in quite some time. Perhaps that's not true, perhaps it found me at the right time. It's interesting. I have a good friend who is astute and funny and caring and who I enjoy spending time with a great deal. We had an intense chat one night over coffee at Mozart's about life, love, God and the quest for a "Soul Mate". I asked him if he had ever read The Alchemist and he said that he had not. The next day, I ran to the bookstore to purchase it for him.

Once there, I see the newest tome on the shelf and grab it for myself as a quick scan of the back told me all I needed to know - not only is it written by the most brilliant author currently living, it's about a quest for a Soul Mate. I knew I'd love it and I was eager to dive in.

I'm at this strange crossroads where I have to sit back and watch my life unfold a bit. An unusual spot for me, a role I'm uncomfortable with, but one that I must embrace.