Last evening, Elle and I watched a documentary on the legendary writer Ernest Hemingway. Our tiny but mighty dog Holly wavered from sleep and wakefulness on a sofa next to us.
I learned of the writer’s love of adventure, of his devotion to his craft and of his fierce struggles with his quiet demons.
Near the end of his luminous career—when many thought he was washed up—he wrote a small novel about an old fisherman. He wrote it in 8 weeks, in the spring of 1951 in Cuba.
Santiago went out too far. And he caught a fish, one that was magnificent and heroic and symbolic, of the human struggle against fear—in pursuit of dignity.
I’ve had this book in my library for 25 years. But after reading it last December, I finally understood it. I guess I wasn’t ready for it earlier.
It’s not a book about a man and a great marlin Test. It’s a book about victory without applause. One about reaching deep within our soul and triumphing against our limits. One about doing work for the high honor of doing the work, rather than for the ego rewards that the work might bring.
Read the book. It’s simple—and masterful.
Two final things…
First, thank you for reading these messages I write. I truly wish to be helpful. I pray you remember your own special form of greatness and live a more of it daily.
Second, if you’d like my help and mentoring to help you live more of your gifts it would be my joy to be helpful. I’ve created a really valuable and practical new online program called The Amazing Day Blueprint that teaches you a method to build willpower, become more powerful and create consistently excellent days.
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Here are all the details.
Wishing you happiness, excellence and much peace today.
Love and respect,
