Life Full of Ardor
I recently completed The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho. In the book there was a quote I thoroughly enjoyed and thought I would share on this blog. At this point of the story, the main character Elijah (as from the Christian Bible) is traveling and meets up with a farmer who allows him to stay for a couple of days. The farmer states:
“I have long seen people passing through here on their way to Sidon and Tyre. Some of them complained that they had not achieved anything in Akbar and were setting out for a new destiny.One day these people would return. They had not found what they were seeking, for they carried with them, along with their bags, the weight of the earlier failure. A few returned with a government position, or with the joy of having given their children a better life, but nothing more. Their past in Akbar had left them fearful, and they lacked the confidence in themselves to take risks.
On the other hand, there also passed my door people full of ardor. They had profited from every moment of life in Akbar and through great effort had accumulated the money for their journey. To these people, life was a constant triumph and would go on being one.
These people also returned, but with wonderful tales to tell. They had achieved everything they desired because they were not limited by the frustrations of the past.”
I loved this quote as I believe Coelho nailed it on the head that our level of happiness is a result of our outlook on life and willingness to create success in each place we inhabit.