The Warrior of Light

by Paulo Coelho

(quoted randomly)

"Behind the mask of ice that people wear, there beats a heart of fire.

A Warrior knows that an angel and a devil are both competing for his sword hand.

The devil says: "You will weaken. You will not know exactly when. You are afraid." 

The angel says: "You will weaken. You will not know exactly when. You are afraid."

The Warrior is surprised. Both the angel and the devil have said the same thing.

The devil continues: "Let me help you." 

And the angel says: "I will help you."

At that moment the Warrior understands the difference. The words may be the same but these two allies are completely different.

And he chooses the angel's hand.

However good we are, however correctly we seek to lead our lives, tragedies do occur. We can blame others, look for justification, imagine how our lives would have been different without them. But none of that matters: they have happened, and that is that. From this point on, it is necessary that we review our own lives, overcome fear, and begin the process of reconstruction.

However difficult it may be to accept what happens to us, one must understand that moments such as this give us the possibility for radical change in our behaviour.

Instead of answering your question directly I shall quote from the Indian poet Tagore: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy/ I awoke and saw that life was service/I acted and behold, service was joy.” In fact, through my work I discover life, people, and everything which happens around us.”

Lose what? A man only has a soul to be won or lost; apart from his life, he has nothing. Past or future lives do not matter - at the moment you are living this one, and you should do so with silent comprehension, joy and enthusiasm. What you must not lose is your enthusiasm.

Solitude is used to teach us how to live with other people. 

Rage is used to show us the infinite value of peace. 

Boredom is used to underline the importance of adventure & spontaneity. 

Silence is used to teach us to use words responsibly. 

Tiredness is used so that we can understand the value of waking up. 

Illness is used to underline the blessing of good health. F

ire is used to teach us about water. 

Earth is used so that we can understand the value of air. 

Death is used to show us the importance of life."