V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #5: Books

I can remember the exact moment that the words jumped off the page and hit me between the eyes with such an impact, my head snapped back.  I was still married to my ex-husband, and had retired to the bedroom to read before sleep.  The children were all finally asleep, and I had started the book, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, by Dan Millman, a few days earlier.  Loosely based on the former Olympic champion’s life, Millman told the story of meeting a character he called Socrates, a mentor who inspired his future success.

The book has long since passed out of my hands, so I can’t pinpoint the page, but there is a scene where Socrates tells the young Millman that his problem is that he can’t handle change.  Millman says that’s not true, he’s made lots of changes in his life:  breaking up with a girlfriend, moving, and so on – all things I could relate to, having survived many life changes myself.

Socrates then tells the young Dan that he is missing his point, that the only change that really counts are the changes we make in ourself: our attitude and perspective.  Of course, I paraphrase, but the gist is that unless we examine, and acknowledge our own  agendas and shortfalls, we cannot expect our outer life to improve.  Wham!

This week, I invite you to share your own ‘wham’ moment.  Is there a book, or passage that inspired or influenced your life?

To participate, publish a post on your own blog (creativity encouraged), and then link back to this post, or drop the address of your post in the comments.

Please take time to read and comment on the posts of others.

Look forward to your response.

(This idea for this challenge was prompted by Judy at Lifelessons.  Thanks for that Judy.)