I love to read; I read every day. In The Garden (my production studio) I have two bookcases holding some 100 books as well as music industry related magazines, equipment manuals and some other odds and ends. Words inspire me, and over the years I’ve even come to appreciate the writing style of a few authors; so much so that I have purchased works from the same authors off name recognition alone.

I might not read a book right away but as sometimes happens, I notice it months later in my bookcase and begin reading it and, almost as if somehow I was prompted to start reading, I am spoken to through the words of the book. The words are relevant to my life at that time and something becomes clear to me, or an answer I needed was provided, or a new thought was stimulated which perfectly fit the work I was doing at the time.

I used to consider this coincidence; however, the frequency with which this has happened over the years has provided me with a comfortable feeling that information comes to me when I’m ready and able to receive it. I’ve seen the same information repeatedly in the past, but now a light comes on and I understand. I’m still working on being patient enough to let things unfold without my trying to control the speed of its arrival, but with this too I’m getting better.

I often go to places like Barnes & Noble, first searching the bargain bins looking for deals, and then looking at the new works that recently arrived. From time to time one book will stand out to me, seemingly unrelated to anything I’m looking for. I’ve become more perceptive about this lately. I used to try to make this make sense; I would pick up the book, flip through it, put it down, uninterested and do the same thing a couple of times over the course of two or three weeks until I finally buy it simply because I keep picking it up.

Some books have been in my bookcase for nearly a year before I’ve touched them; some are still untouched. I remember reading this somewhere; “When the student is ready, the teacher arrives.” Hummm . . . I have many examples in my life that cause me to believe this is true.

While reading a newly purchased book, familiar information registered in a stunningly new way and a bright light came on for me; something so deeply profound, yet so incredibly simple, that it has affected nearly every moment of my life since.

To attempt to explain the knowing would be to try to explain many events in my life, my historic references and the previous lights that have come on and why I interpret them the way that I do. So, I will just say that I see something God has been showing me for a while! Really?!?! Basically, what happened is embodied in the following story.

A boy was beating a stone with a sledge hammer. Over the course of several weeks he worked to split the stone in two, repeatedly hitting it as hard as he could and becoming discouraged with his seeming lack of progress. 999 times he hit the stone with all he had. Pausing to gather himself, he attempted to muster the willingness to keep pushing. In his mind he began to believe he would never break the stone in two. With half-hearted resolve, he lifts the hammer to begin again and, with strike 1,000 the rock breaks in two. The 1,000th strike wasn’t the difference, it was the 999 before it!

Some will deeply get the meaning of this story; others will wonder why I seem to be all over the place. Still others will get it later when the time is perfect for them. Whatever happens, so be it. In my newly illuminated space I pose a question: have you ever heard either of these sayings? “You can control your thinking,” or “As a man thinketh so is he.” Hummmm . . . Bright is the light of understanding, and with it comes peace.

Just my thoughts.

-REL