MY CARNIVOROUS ISLAND

"No one has seen that island since, and you'd never read about those trees in any book. And yet, if I hadn't found those shores I would have died, if I hadn't discovered that tooth I would have been lost alone forever. Even when God seemed to have abandoned me, he was watching. Even when He seemed indifferent to my suffering, He was watching and when I was beyond all hope of saving... He gave me rest and gave me a sign to continue my journey...."-- Pi Patel, Life of Pi

                 I was once told that God gives us burdens in life because He knows too well that we can triumph over them. And that the heavier the cross you carry, the stronger person you are. So when you feel life’s beating you so hard, it only means He trusts you that much.

            There are times when it seems like He just keeps on presenting us one adversity after another, testing the limits of our faith and pushing us beyond our fortitude. And as humans, it is not easy not to lose hope, not to waver in believing, and not to be tired of fighting when we’re confronted by ostensibly never-ending hardships, that we sometimes wonder if God still sees us and cares for us. Because if He does, why would He allow us to suffer too much?

            I think it is safe to say that I have had my “fair” share of trials, with pains and tears plaguing my every battle. And I’d be honest in saying that there were moments when I thought of giving up, to just let myself be drowned in fear, despondency, and frustration. But despite this, I have always felt His loving guidance, and have always known in my heart that He’s been there all along, watching me closely. It was just me who failed to acknowledge the strength He has provided me with.
            Now that I'm going through another storm, although it may seem ironic, I can feel that He has let this be my "rest," which I do have to move on from after. I know, whatever headwinds I have yet to conquer, He will always find a way to show me that He will always be there. I just have to have greater faith in Him. 

THERE'S STILL HOPE...

IN MY BOOK: THE DEVIL AND MISS PRYM by Paulo Coelho

Many a writer has flair for weaving stories that can make his readers think then leave them as is, but only few can make his readers think deeper and bring forth a life-cultivating judgment afterwards. Brazilian author Paulo Coelho – laying claim to million-copy international best-selling titles – undeniably belongs to these few. His novel The Devil and Miss Prym is but a testament to that.

 

The Devil and Miss Prym is the third and final book in the And on the Seventh Day trilogy, which focuses on stories of ordinary people as they struggle with issues about love, death, and power. It lets us be proverbial flies on the walls of Viscos – an ostensibly remote village with good inhabitants – as it suddenly receives a visit from “the devil” who brings with him a temptation.

 

Long on eye-opening parables and thought-provoking quotes, this novel will make you reflect on your Good and Evil sides, their differences, and the situations during which the two collide. It also latches on to human beings' fear when it comes to realizing their goals and dreams, thus providing some sense of inspiration to those currently saddled with their inhibitions.  

The Devil and Miss Prym may at times bother its reader, making itself a not "unputdownable" book. But that's definitely in a good way.

                                                                     

QUOTABLE QUOTES

                “There are two things that prevent us from achieving our dreams: believing them to be impossible or seeing those dreams made possible by some sudden turn of the wheel of fortune, when you least expected it.”

                “So you see, Good and Evil have the same face; it all depends on when they cross the path of each individual human being.”

                “I’ve just taught you the most important lesson in life. Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.”

                “There are two kinds of idiots: those who don’t take action because they have received a threat, and those who think they are taking action because they have issued a threat.”

                “Playing the part of a charitable soul was only for those who were afraid of taking a stand in life. It is always far easier to have faith in your own goodness than to confront others and fight for your rights. It is always far easier to hear an insult and not retaliate than have the courage to fight back against someone stronger than yourself; we can always say we’re not hurt by the stones others throw at us, and it’s only at night – when we’re alone and our wife or our husband or our school friend is asleep – that we can silently grieve over our own cowardice.”