"Experience that breathing. From books and words come fantasy, and sometimes, from fantasy comes union."
- Rumi in "A Children's Game"

"Books are as essential as breathing. In my experience, when going down for the third time, it was often word-to-word resuscitation that saved the day."- Sarah Ban Breathnach in her August 21st entry in Simple Abundance.

"We read books to find out who we are. What other people, real or imaginary, do and think and feel is an essential guide to our understanding of what we ourselves are and may become."- Ursula K. LeGuin

Books don't just take you OUT of this world. They can also give you a sensibility towards the world in which you already live.

I remember an aquaintance of mine telling me a few months ago to get out of my books, stop living in books, and go out and live. I think I felt quite defensive at first, but then realized that this person was obviously not an avid reader, or perhaps he hadn't found that book- you know the one- the one that changes your whole idea about reading and books. The one that makes you hunger for another, and another and another. The one that turns you into a life-long reader.

Because I owe much of my curiosity, my excitement and interest in the world, my creativity and love for travel to books. I didn't know how to explain to this individual that books don't take me out of the world, but instead, take me to worlds I didn't know could exist, open my mind and heart to understand and appreciate and be sensitive to all kinds of people and places. And they make me even more excited to be living, to learn and to explore what is out there in our real world and to invent and play with the idea of creating something new.

Books can make you feel, dream and even take action in unexpected but exciting ways.

Anne Lamott describes these sentiments so well in this paragraph in her book Bird by Bird:

"Because for some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die. They are full of all the things that you don't get in real life--- wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. And quality of attention: we may notice amazing details during the course of a day but we rarely let ourselves stop and really pay attention. An author makes you notice, makes you pay attention, and this is a great gift. My gratitude for good writing is unbounded; I'm grateful for it the way I'm grateful for the ocean. Aren't you?"

Perhaps somewhere, along the way, that aquaintance I mentione above will be introduced to a book that will make him answer with a yes.

I know that will always be my answer.

Sarah Ban Breathnach- Simple Abundance and Something More

"Reading books changes lives. So does writing them."- I'd like to add that so do the authors writing them, because Sarah Ban Breathnach, the writer of the above quote, has definitely changed my life on several occasions. And I have a feeling that she will continue to have such an impact well into the future.

The first time I ever picked up one of Breathnach's books was many years ago. I had never heard anything about her. I didn't know who she was; no one had recommended any of her books to me.

But I do remember that during that time, there was this restlessness in my life. I didn't think that there was anything in particular going wrong, but at the same time, I felt as if something was missing. I just kept thinking that I wanted "something more". Do you ever have that feeling?

Well, sure enough, I'm at the bookstore, and which book ends up staring me straight in the face? I'm not kidding you, the book was called Something More and that's when I first heard Breathnach's name, because she was the author.

As I said in my previous entry, sometimes, I think books pick YOU just as much as you pick them. And Something More set me on a path of self discovery and alleviated some of the guilt I was feeling about wanting more than I had. In fact, it got me excited to dream big and pursue some of the things I was afraid to in the past.

And as time went on, I started realizing that my wanting more came from not being satisfied or truly happy with myself or the relationship I was in at the time. I was thinking so much about the other person, trying to make him happy, that I was losing sight of what I really wanted and who I really was.

That's when I discovered Breathnach's Simple Abundance.

I love that this book is written as a journal - one entry for each day of the year. And I can still remember moments in my life when I didn't know where to turn, or needed a push in the right direction, and the words that Breathnach had written for that day kept me going, helped me find my way.

Simple Abundance is a book that talks about finding your authentic self. It's a book that reminds us not just of how important that self is, but also gives tips to women on how to find that self. Breathnach uses her own real life experiences- anecdotes, lessons, jokes, tears and fears- to teach others how to be grateful for our surroundings, how to care for others, but also how to nurture ourselves. And she takes us through an inner journey that is truly life changing if you remain open to it.

That first year that I read Simple Abundance, I think I read more than one entry per day because I just couldn't get enough of Breathnach's words, and I was so touched by the way she seemed to understand our hearts and minds, and souls. And once I reached the end of the book, and saw Breathnach's mailing address in the book, I had to write to her. I thanked her for sharing her stories with others, for writing down her words, for being so insightful and for being part of the strength that got me through a tough time in my life.

And you know what? She wrote back. Sarah Ban Breathnack actually took the time to write me a real letter back, not an email, but a letter in the mail- the old way. It consisted of a few words, but her words were heartfelt and humble. And just as real as the authenticity she so encourages in her books.

Sometimes, my copy of Simple Abundance gets put away and I forget about it for awhile. I think maybe it won't have the same impact it had on me way back when I really needed it. Maybe that book just reached me so deeply back then because of what I was going through.

But without even realizing it, this book has continued with me over the years. I used her gratitude journal idea in my classrooms when I was teaching kids, as well as with friends for personal growth. And I still use it for myself to this day, to help me appreciate what is around me.

There is also an illustrated discovery journal that Breathnach has created. You can either purchase it (or simply make one of your own), that gives you space to explore scrapbooking, collaging and creating with pictures and magazine clippings to discover the dreams that are buried in your subconscious. I know that many of those pictures pop up in my head from time to time, to allow me to see what I really want in my life, rather than focusing on others' expectations. And I create some of those collages over five or six years ago.

It seems that no matter how much time it has been since the last time I read Breathnach's book, as soon as I pick it up again, it speaks to me and show me what is important. It reminds me to keep true to myself, and it inspires me to dig deep inside myself to see the magic and beauty of life.

This year, I wanted to pass on Sarah's words to others. So I have begun by sending out her entries, one by one, to friends of mine, starting on New Year's day with her January 1st entry. Thank you to those of you who have sent messages of appreciation for the emails. And I hope that those I haven't heard from are enjoying them as well. Though I would love to continue to pass on the entries each day for the full year, I think a month or so of them might be doable for me. I am typing each entry out and three hundred and sixty five days of this might be a little too much.

But I hope that my starting you off on this might make you want to go out and get a copy of the book yourself (You can even check out used bookstores. Many of them have Simple Abundance on the shelves for 10-15 dollars). Trust me. It is well worth the investment.

I bought the Man's Journey to Simple Abundance many years ago too out of curiosity. But I gave it away because I never got myself into it. Though the copy I was referring to above is aimed at women, there is this men's version out there as well (if you are interested for yourself, or want to buy it for a man - husband, brother, father, friend- in your life). If anyone gets their hands on it, and gives it a read, let me know what you think. If Breathnach is as insightful about men as she is about women, you know it will be a great read.

The Magic of Books: Books often read us

My friend Julia wrote me this message on facebook today:

"I love it when someone puts my thoughts into words!"

Thanks Julia! YOU just put MY thoughts into words.

Because one of the many things that draws me to particular books and authors is that the good ones tend to connect to their readers very well. And it almost feels like the books know us, because we can relate to the words of the writer. Often times, I find myself wanting to say to the book or the writer, "Yes, that's exactly how that feels!" or "You've explained it exactly the way I was thinking it."

That's another one of those magical things about books and the words that are hidden in them. It's like they are reading our minds.

And even when you're not looking for a particular book, have you ever noticed how often the right one just ends up staring at you and grabbing you attention? It's as if the book knows you need it more than you do.

Sometimes, I it feels as if books read us just as much, if not more, as we read them.- Tasleem

Coelho all over again...

Paulo Coelho is by far one of my favourite writers. I listen to the audio book of his Alchemist before I go to bed (and sometimes leave it on when I'm sleeping too), you can find at least one of his books lying around my place, or hidden in my purse, or in my car, and I tend to mention Coelho's works to everyone I meet, including strangers.

But recently, I feel as if I've discovered a new Coelho... or at least this is new to me. Today, I finally finished A Orillas Del Rio Piedra Me Sente Y Llore (I Sat by the River Piedra and Wept). When I say "finally", it is not because the book itself was long or that I didn't make time for it. In fact, I spent more time reading and decoding this book than most others.

This is because I read the Spanish "version" of the book, which I suspect is how it was originally written, or maybe it was written in the very close Portuguese. I am sure that somewhere, a few years ago, I read this book in English, but I don't remember much of it. Maybe it was not the right time in my life for its lessons, or I was just not ready for it back then. But it didn't seem to leave a huge impression on me. But the same book in Spanish? Wow! It is truly something else. Each phrase seems more poetic, the scenes more dramatic, and the messages much more profound than in its English counterpart.

This depth that I FELT suprised and amazed me. The Spanish words and meanings captivated my attention, and yes, don't worry, I made sure to translate every single sentence before moving on to the next page. In fact, for the past few weeks, I've taken my Spanish- English dictionary with me wherever I went to read the book. Pencil lines, circles and word translations and reminders fill each page. This was my way to help me remember the new vocabulary I was trying to soak up. And on sections that I was unsure about, I asked a friend, or even a stranger near me who spoke Spanish, to make sure the meaning was not getting lost in translation. But I think that this is the point- reading the book in Spanish made me feel as if I surrounded myself with the true and real words that Coelho was trying to impart on his readers. And maybe reading it in English, or any another language other than Spanish (or his native Portuguese?), actually causes some of his words to get lost in translation?

Can you imagine? Any of you who have read Coelho's books in English know how admirable his writing is, but what if all his work is even better in Spanish? They are the same stories, the same overall messages, but in Spanish this book seems to be taken to another level. And I think as a writer- a lover of words and images created through words- I am so excited by this and the thought of reading more by Coelho... en espanol!

And I think reading this in Spanish gave me a greater appreciation for the English version as it connected me to the story and characters much more.

In this novel, Pilar (the main character) takes a journey not just from one place to another, but within herself, through laughter, through sorrow, through confusion, paradise- within her head, her heart, her soul... and with her childhood friend, whom she also discovers is her true love. They teach and learn from each other about the passion, truth, complications, simplicities and spirituality of love.

I felt as if I was taking my own journey, through the scenes and lessons in the story, but also through my developing a better understanding of Spanish through Coelho's mastery of language.

Some of my favourite lines (Note: I haven't been able to figure out how to insert accent marks into blogger, so excuse the missing accents in some of the following Spanish words):

• "...escuchar el corazon, a entender sus instintos."- (Listen to your heart and instincts).


• "Los milagros suceden a nuestro alrededor, las senales de Dios nos muestran el camino, los angeles piden ser oidos...; sin embargo, como aprendemos que existen formulas y reglas para llegar hasta Dios, no prestamos atencion a nada de eso. No entendemos que El esta donde Le dejan entrar. " (Miracles happen all around us....We don't underestand that God is where we allow him to enter).


• "Y en el amor no existen reglas. Podemos intentar guiarnos por un manual, controlar el corazon, tener una estrategia de comportamiento... Pero todo eso es una tonteria. Quien decide es el corazon, y lo que el decide es lo que vale." - (There are no rules in love. Who decides is the heart, and what it decides is what matters, what has value).


• "si escuchamos al nino que tenemos en el alma, nuestros ojos volveran a brillar. Si no perdemos el contacto con ese nino, no perderemos el contacto con la vida."- (Listen to your inner child. If you don't lose contact with him, you'll never lose contact with life).


• "habia muchas maneras de servir a Dios"- (There are many ways to serve God).


• "Se que el amor volvio, bajo la forma de un nuevo hombre, de nuevas esperanzas, de nuevos suenos." - (Love returns under the form of a new man, new hopes and dreams).


• "Dios es el mismo, aunque tenga mil nombres; pero tienes que escoger un nombre para llamarlo." (God is the same though he has many names. But you have to choose the name you want to call Him).
  

(For brevity, I've paraphrased each quote. Feel free to add comments if you'd like more details or any more of quotes from the book. I have a bigger list!).

Not only did Coelho once again teach me more about myself and that crazy thing called love, but I think he has also became unos de mis maestros de Espanol through his literature. All I want to do is read more, especially Spanish literature that is as deep and as thoughtful as Coelho's. Muchas gracias, Coelho!