A quote from Brida

Brida is a book by Paulo Coelho. I bought it quite a few years ago and like most of Paulo Coelho’s books, only when the time is right do I usually reach out for his books. I still have three of his books sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. Brida was one of the “hardest” books I’ve read, because it scared me. I don’t know why, but Brida reminded me of me. And that to me, was scary. I’m glad to say though, that I did complete the book and though I have not gone back to it, it’s still one of my favourites from this author.

I reached out to it today because looking around for some inspiration for a blog post, my eyes came to rest on the book. So, I flipped through it and debating on what to use for this post, I came across a line that I had drawn a little heart beside.

Judging oneself to be inferior to other people was one of the worst acts of pride he knew, because it was the most destructive way of being different.

This reminded me of something a friend and I were once chatting about. We were talking about God and Christ in the context of the Bible, and how Christ had died for our sins. We were both at a point in our lives where things weren’t as bright as we would have like it to be. In fact, to be fair…his time was darker than mine. While chatting, I remember realising something that I shared with him.

If Christ died for ALL of us, for our sins, isn’t it arrogant of us to think that we aren’t included? I mean, if He did it for ALL of us, what makes us so special that we feel we aren’t part of that ALL.

I guess in a way, it helps us when we fall into our “slumps” – the poor me slump or the “I’m a victim” slump. I still have that…not as bad as years ago. Now though, I catch myself or at the very least I am aware I’m approaching that slippery downward slope. Sometimes…sometimes I allow myself that with a time restriction. One day, I want to see myself thinking of going there, but knowing that it serves no purpose and walking away from that edge. And then, one day, I want to realise that I haven’t even thought of visiting that place. That..would be cool!