Being Found

"To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation."

~ from The Alchemist

"What is the Personal Legend?

It is your blessing, the path God has chosen for you here on Earth.

Whenever a man does that which gives him enthusiasm,

he is following his Legend."

~ Paulo Coelho

I'm reading Paulo Coelho's book, The Alchemist.

I've owned this book for some time, but just recently began reading it.

And it has been a joy.

For decades, I chased what I thought I wanted.

The stuff of the first half of life.

Now, I feel as though I've been found, here in the second half of my life.

We are familiar with the words, "seek and ye shall find."

I don't just agree with these words.

I more than agree.

When I was young, I dreamed, imagined, and created stories.

When I was in college, I most loved my writing classes.

When I was in the last half of my teaching career, I began writing.

I don't know that I would say my destiny is to write, but I love writing.

I love sitting with my thoughts and looking for ways to bring them to life on a page.

I love the process of wrestling with, playing with, and creating with words.

And here I am, doing this now.

For the past few years, I've had this desire to be "a writer."

I didn't need to be a good writer, I just wanted to write.

Then, last week, my third book arrived this week.

The Renewing: a season of action, contemplation, and transformation.

This self-published book is the product of my reflections over the past forty weeks.

And here it is. I hold in my hands an actual, physical book.

So is this my destiny?

My Personal Legend?

It sounds funny and a bit bold, but I think my answer is yes.

This is a practice that brings me joy.

And that is what I love. I love the practice of writing.

I've adopted this identity. I've decided to show up each day and write.

And somewhere along the way, this practice has become my identity.

I was seeking, but rather than finding, it seems I was found.

This past week, I've written these words in my journal.

"The only appropriate response is gratefulness."

The words are from David Steindl-Rast.

It is true that I am grateful and that I've been blessed.

And today, and each day that follows, I choose to follow this path.

I choose to embrace this blessing I've been given.

Writing gives me great enthusiasm.

Is it my personal legend? Perhaps.

All I know is that joy has found me in this gift, and I am grateful.