10 scrolls, 10 months, 2 lives
Life is a wild experience isn’t it?
There are so many questions, so many feelings, so many moments when you are either certain of everything or unsure of yourself. So many experiences we have, don’t, or vicariously do (for better or worse) through our thoughts and observing others. Well, at least.. that is how I have felt over my 34 years (as of this writing) on this earth.
MAN. That thought, that I was born on a giant rock hurling through space and continue to live and breath on it- seeing different parts of it (sometimes the EXACT same parts, but they feel different or you notice something you didn’t before- you know what I mean?) and almost existing as one with it, a cell in the body so to speak. THAT is a terrifying and beautiful thought. It makes you appreciate life, and the desperate challenge we all face day to day.
What’s more is the reality that humans have documented their existence for several Millenia, and great men and women have walked this earth before us, and among us; real people, with real stories. People just like you and me. Babies (lol, but for real though) who eventually lived long enough to understand the world around them. One step at a time. Those people somehow figured out principles or universal values and laws that can draw to their self, anything they want.
So no shit, there I was.
Buzzing around on a somewhat stale January day, rummaging through our closet to suss out any unused or unnecessary items we could toss or relocate to make way for baby and baby’s things. It’s probably a man thing, but I was having a bit of an existential crisis knowing my son was on the way any day, and I was making a career change. “Have I done enough to prepare for him? Do I have the habits to teach him from example, to role model, to raise a great man?” I was thinking about my work experience and how I could provide a solid future for him and his super pregnant mom. As any parent/husband dreams, I want to give him and her the world. How the heck will I do that?
That’s when I found a group of books. Well, I didn’t find them, I knew they were there for about 10 years since my sister left them in what used to be her room. I was KonMari-ing our room in order and consolidating like items to “their place”, so I started pulling down these books.
You ever get that butterfly feeling, like when you know you’re on to something and the universe is syncing with you? Yeah, that is the feeling I got when I saw this book. “How have I never noticed this before??”, was the thought that struck me when I looked over The Greatest Salesman in The World. “This must’ve been recommended reading for my sister when she was selling books in Alaska to pay for college. No wonder she is so successful”, I thought. For me, this was a sign. So I began reading the intro story which is quite gripping and moving. I was captivated.
Having an opportunity to set an example with a new beginning on the rise, I am determined to follow the 10 scrolls and read each for 30 days- no breaks, no misses. This is my chance to do right by my family. What is 10 months in the grand scheme of my life and the life of my soon-to-be born son? I am excited to share my takeaways with you from scroll to scroll. Let’s get into it!
Today I am a new man, with a new life.
