Secrets of Alchemy
I've done something yesterday that I wasn't able to do in a long long time: I've finished a book... I know that might sound odd to some but I haven't been able to finish a book in years. I always start reading them but I never finish. Last Friday when I was at the hospital I had to wait for an hour so I was clever this time and brought a book. I started reading this book for the third time in December last year when I had to go see the doctor for a checkup on what happened in October. Needless to say that I stopped reading again after that particular occasion until Friday last week. I remember I was at page fifty of 177 but started at page thirty again and by the time I was called in by the doctor I was at page seventy. I have to admit when the doctor called I didn't feel like putting the book away, I wanted to continue reading and was slightly disappointed that I had to put it in my handbag where it has been hidden till last night...
Last night I decided to have an early night and read the book instead of spending a few hours playing my Sudoku game. It was a strange decision because playing a Sudoku game is a challenge to me while reading a book seemed to have lost its glam over the years and I think it has to do with me not being patient and in a way with trying to find closure. I always had endless to-do-lists and they used to stress me out, so these days I try to manage things in a better way and finish them. It's better to finish a few than having a list of half-done unfinished projects. Reading a book would be one of them since I don't have time to finish it within a day for instance. I would have to continue reading it for at least a few days or even weeks which would cause a possibility for procrastination hence not finishing the book at all. Which is exactly what happened all those years; there would always be a better moment or the next day...
So finishing this book was quite an achievement and I couldn't have done it without help from someone who didn't even realise that he has been an example to me, has been unknowingly given me the encouragement that I needed. I read about treasures, destiny, the One true love, about losing everything, about leaving the past behind and living in the moment: here and now, about giving up everything and start allover again from scratch, about the universal language and the Soul of the World, about omens, the Philosophers Stone and the Water of Life, about despair and about hope. It was the right moment to continue reading and the right evening to finish the book. It all started to make sense to me while I was able to take in each and every word, read between the lines and gather the deeper meaning and understanding of what the author was trying to tell.
I've been touched by this book and found my long lost hunger for words, knowledge, facts, wisdom and much needed lessons in life again. So from now on I will continue to feed the mind and soul and try to finish more books. Thank you... you know who you are!




Glad to hear ya not only picked it up again,
but finished it :-)
Like Sudoku, 'title' is a challenge too. A lot of stuff in there for a relatively short book. Some of which can be hard to read if one's mind isn't ready for it. But a treasure for one who's ready.
I read it 3, perhaps 4 times, alternating with another that came highly recommended and I'm sure I'll be back to both of them.
My kind of books. Not too long, easy reading, yet I can find something new each time.
Way to go Tessie!! [but don't put Sudoku away ;-) ]
Hi Tess!!
I don't know if I understood correctly this bit: You were at hospital some days ago? :( I thought that you were going in the channel train between France and England? :) Sorry, I just didn't get that part. In any case, I hope your health is fine.
May I guess which one was the book? :) Was it 'title' :) I enjoyed it too :)
Sudoku? Ummm...I don't anything about Sudoky I'm afraid :) I will investigate a bit :)
BTW, that picture of the bike and the water street is really nice :)
Jim and Wen: I tried to hide the title on purpose to keep it like a riddle but you guys are way too clever *hehe* Jim left his answer literally minutes before I had to leave for NL so I quickly replaced it with 'title' and I'll do the same with Wen's to keep the 'secret' a 'secret', but yes Wen you are correct! ;)
Jim: Yes it was a challenge but a nice one and it gave me so much more than Sudoku. It might be a thin book but I honestly believe that the wiser the man the less words he will need... I bet there is a Chinese saying about it probably written down by Confucius! I won't put Sudoku away because it triggers a different part from the brain *hehe*
Wen: Hi Wen, first time I took the book I had to go to hospital for a checkup about what happened in October, the red text is a link to that post. Then that Friday two weeks ago I had to go there again about something minor and it was only for 2.5 hours that morning. I went through the tunnel last Friday and last Sunday. Sorry about the confusion :)
Thank you I'm fine health-wise and Sudoku: be careful it is so addictive!
The picture is taken in Amsterdam, you would love the place I'm sure!