“…before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream.” – p. 132, Paulo Coelho, author The Alchemist.

Thank you Paulo, for your impeccable perspective. These 48 words have brought me more comfort, stability and peace, than any other combination of phrases in the English language. You see, they provide the ultimate perspective, for whatever I’m going through, experiencing and feeling. It’s ALL for a reason. A reason I may not currently understand. But that doesn’t matter. Now, I know there is a reason. And knowing is 1/2 the battle :-)).