"He was proud of himself. He had learned some things, like how to deal in crystal, and about the language without words...and about omens."
We are all changing every day, whether we stop to think about this fact or not, whether we take the time to examine on a regular basis how we are changing, or not. The people and events which shape our days also contribute to shaping us, as does the way that we chose to respond to our environment. This is certainly clear in the story of Santiago, the shepherd boy from Andalusia who journeys far from home in search of treasure and his Personal Legend. Santiago's penchant for self-examination as he encounters each new situation and group of people (his habit, that is, of discernment) is clearly what allows him to reach the end of his journey with a deeply realized sense of who he is and where he is called to be in this world.
How has Santiago changed from the beginning of the story to the end, and what factors contributed to that change? Think of something specific.
In what ways have you changed over the course of the last year, or two years, or five years? Do you think that these changes are steps towards becoming the best and fullest version of yourself, or are they steps away from that? How do you know?
I have been told that listening to your body will help you understand if you are moving towards your fullest self. Am I sad or happy, energized or defeated? Has anyone else heard this?
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct! That's why it so important in one's spirituality to listen to your feelings and intuitions. Just as there is skill in analyzing one's thinking, we need to honor our other senses in providing helpful information for discernment or interpreting a situation. Sister Lucy Nigh, SSND