"Reminders for the Advanced Soul"

One of my favorite books over the years has been “Illusions – The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah” by Richard Bach.  I have read and re-read it over 35 years now and it remains a sort of ‘Life Bible’ for me over the years.

It is a simple book and easy read with many gems on how you should live life and treat other people.  Bach is an aviator and flying stories over the years has been his common theme.  One of his early books was ‘Jonathon Livingston Seagull’ which was made into a movie.

I have after a period of time gone back and read things again and asked myself some of the questions and have been surprised by the changing answers over the years.  Was it maturity or circumstance that brought about the perspective swings? 

Here are a couple of quotes from the book to start you off on a flight to a better “me” or “you”.  Enjoy!

Quotations from the Messiah's Handbook
"Reminders for the Advanced Soul"
in
"Illusions - The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah"
by Richard Bach - 1977

“Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't.”

This one has remained pretty constant in the fact as we learn and interact with people we have an effect on those around us.  Once we are gone I am sure there will be those that were affected having known us.

“There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts.”

We all learn from our past, sometimes we repeat the past until we have more clarity on that which we seek.  We learn from the problems so at times I see where people create things so they can gain from the experience.

“Every person, all the events of your life, are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.”

This one seems so true for me as those that come in and out of our lives over the years allows one to see what place they may take in the ‘theater’ we call life.  Who is on your front row and who places themselves in the back?

“Remember where you came from, where you're going, and why you created the mess you got yourself into in the first place.”

We learn from our past or would like to think so.  What have you created to learn from?

“You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self. Don't turn away from possible futures before you're certain you don't have anything to learn from them.

You're always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past.”

What are your thoughts on this?  Life is about choice, and the different paths that each one brings with it.  Do some of the paths cross at different points in your life, perhaps?  Does it bring with it another choice?

“You are never given a wish without being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.”

The old adage “There is no free lunch” is so true about so many things in life.  It takes work, and many times it is hard work to make your wishes and dreams (goals) come true.  It never hurt anyone but my generation has done a disservice to our youth letting technology steal away imagination and work ethic in today’s society.  The ‘instant gratification’ bug up our ass has took so many things away from our children who do not know or understand what it is to go play outside with a stick or sit and read for hours expanding their imagination.  If it does not have a joystick or keypad on it people are not sure what to do with themselves.

“The world is your exercise-book, the pages on which you do your sums.
It is not reality, although you can express reality there if you wish. You are also free to write nonsense, or lies, or to tear the pages.”

The world is out there waiting . . . Enjoy!

Ice