Warrior of the Light

Paulo Coelho, one of my favorite authors, wrote a companion guide to his book The Alchemist called Warrior of the Light, a Manuel.  I read a page or two from it every few days.  Today's entry was particularly fitting:

"One day, for no apparent reason, the Warrior realizes that he does not feel the same enthusiasm for the fight that he used to. He continues to do what he has always done, but every gesture seems meaningless. At such a time, he has only one choice: to continue fighting the Good Fight. He says his prayers out of duty or fear or whatever, but he does not abandon the path. He knows the angel of the One who inspires him has simply wandered off somewhere. The Warrior keeps his attention focused on the battle and he perseveres, even when everything seems utterly pointless. The angel will soon return and the merest flutter of his wings will restore the Warrior's joy to him."

I have to admit that this perfectly describes how I've been feeling lately about my writing. I'm pushing myself forward, but can't feel the enthusiasm for either the project or the goal. The victory marker seems so distant as to appear unobtainable.

But I also know this: only those who persist (or POR) succeed. And so, I'll continue to work and just keep hoping for the return of that angel!

A brief note on politics:

I had to listen to Tom Coburn of Oklahoma talk about how his ridiculous amendment to allow loaded guns in national parks was about individual freedom - an individual's right to decide for himself. Why can't the Republicans see the hypocrisy in supporting the individual's right to decide for himself to carry a loaded weapon in a public place, but not the individual's right to decide for himself who he wants to marry. Seriously. Nothing good can come from a loaded weapon in a national park. And nothing bad can come from allowing all US citizens the right to marry the person they love.

And I must agree with the journalists out there who call the Democrats in Congress "feckless." They are. While I am thankful every day that our president is Barack Obama, I sincerely wish the Democrats in Congress had a modicum of courage.

And finally:

So much for the blooming beauty of pregnancy. I, myself, am a burping blob with heavy boobs. In fact, my boobs are now so weighty, I think they are deflating my lungs. At any rate, it's harder to breath with those beasts sitting on top of my chest. Ya - I can see why so many women have gone through this process.

But on the upside, just 8 days till we find out if the tadpole is pink or blue!