...by Paulo Coelho:
Now, according to the Tradition, a new war will begin. And even more sophisticated war, survived by no one--because it is through its battles that man's growth will be completed. We will see the two armies--on one side, those who still believe in the human race, and know that our next step involves the growth of individual gifts. On the other side will be those who deny the future. Those who believe that life has a material ending, and--unfortunately--those who, although they have faith, believe that they discovered the path to enlightenment, and want the others to follow it with them.
For the planet Earth, that day is still a long way off. But for each of us, that day can be tomorrow. One has only to accept a simple fact: Love--of God and of others--shows us the way. Our defects, our dangerous depths, our suppressed hatreds, our moments of weakness and desperation--all are unimportant. If what we want to do is heal ourselves first, so that we can go in search of our dreams, we will never reach paradise. If, on the other hand, we accept all that is wrong about us--and despite it, believe that we are deserving of a happy life--then we will have thrown open an immense window that will allow Love to enter. Little by little, our defects will disappear, because one who is happy can look at the world only with love--the force that regenerates everything that exists in the Universe.
Posted by The Bunny at 4:12 PM