"If we seek something, that same thing is seeking us." -Aleph

The moment to read a certain book comes so perfectly. It speaks to you as you at the same time feel the desire to read it- a mutual understanding set in a timing so precise to the present state of your life. I never force myself to read a certain book just because. It may have a great story, may be written by a great author, may be much talked about or simply a personal urge to read but it will never fully speak to me therefore have an impact on me with the absence of that "moment" (as so shared above).

I have been shuffling between books of different genres the past months having realized how long it was since my last book as life preoccupied me with my studies, moving to a new home and not long after with dad's hospitalization and passing away (how unbelievable and painful still to utter that phrase). I tried to sit through the Shakespeare classic Midsummer night's dream as I hoped to gain literature high from it as I did reading Wuthering Heights. No doubt was it great but not for me right now. It can sit on the shelves for now and while it does, maybe another classic would bring me unsolicited life insights- George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. I was enjoying the book but remains to be merely an entertainment so I picked up the creepy Perfume: The story of a murdered by Patrick Süskind  and brands this as by far the creepiest one ever made and could only read a page a wk. So despite the greatness of these books, none of it fits my current emotional and mental state. Aleph has been sitting prettily on our shelves for quite some time. As this was almost immediately purchased upon release, I always told myself it wasn't the right time for me to read a masterpiece like that... until  today.

Coelho's books are special to me as they verify and strengthen my beliefs since I was a child- reincarnation, "Quantum Physics", planes of existence, destiny, soulmates, fate, spirituality, unquestionable faith and the likes, that although controversial, speaks of my truth. I was a kid the first time I read his book and instantly found affinity, friendship, as I felt he understood and answered all the life and world questions I asked and hoped to form and understand as a little child. A lot of circumstance came challenging my state of being the past years- heartbreaks, stability, death, lost (not to say I didn't gain a few good things just as much- courage to understand, ability to let go of all negative things and people, formation of stronger family ties, realization of true friendship against fake ones, verified dreams, challenge of personal strength). And with all this and all that had happened, I again found myself turning to his books, his words, for clarity and answers.

Quoting some beautiful words as I journey along

"I've been through this before. Whenever I refused to follow my fate, something very hard to bear would happen in my life. And that is my great feat at the moment, that some tragedy will occur."

"Tragedy always brings about radical change in our lives, a change that is associated with the same principle: loss. When faced by any loss, there's no point in trying to recover what has been; it's best to take advantage of the large space that opens up before us and fill it with something new."

"In theory, every loss is for our own good; in practice, though, that is when we question the existence of God and ask ourselves: What did I do to deserve this?"

"No one ever loses anyone. We are all one soul that needs to continue growing and developing in order for the world to carry on and for all of us to meet once again."

"We are not the person we wish we were. We are who we decide to be."

"It's always easy to blame others. You can spend your entire life blaming the world, but your success or failures are entirely your own responsibility."

"nothing disappears, everything is stored up in time.Where is my first kiss filed away? In some hidden corner of my brain? In a series of electrical impulses that have been deactivated? My first kiss is more alive than ever, and I will never forget it. It's here, all around me. It forms part of my Aleph."

As for what Aleph truly means? It is best to learn and understand going along the pages of the book.