“The Boy, the mole, the fox and the horse”

Certainly one of the best books ever written

I got the book this morning, and couldn’t help myself to finish it within an hour or so. I just couldn’t help with my tears, either. It’s just so poignant, beautiful, deep, and most importantly: true.

So many things were running in my head as I leafed through the pages. And instead of being hysterical, I thought of writing them down (my thoughts) to hopefully get my train of thoughts cleared up.

#1
“Always remember that you matter, you’re important and you are loved. And you bring to this world things no one else can.”

You have no idea how many times I’ve questioned my being into this world. How many ideas and dreams I have for myself , and the constant question of whether I should pursue them. I mean, just looking at Charlie Mackesy and this book, I feel so envious. He’s not only writing, so eloquently, some of the most important excerpts of life, but also tell it in such an engaging, subtle, yet powerful way.

Oh, how I wish to be like that. As a generalist, I tend to try many different things, get my hands dirty in various stuff, but not sure I’ve found the vertical line in the “T”, let alone make it. There are times, I wish I found that thing I wanted to deep dive in, be really good at it. I want to prove to the world that I, also have talent. That I can make a dent in this world.

Fortunately, my husband helped me to see it in a new light. He showed me how that by being a white collar worker in a big start up, and continuously getting challenged is a gift in itself, is a talent. And this book certainly allowed me to see that I am enough, that I, too, contribute differently to the world, if not uniquely. It’s a contribution, after all, despite the fact that it may not be publicized for the entire world to see.

Does that understanding stop me from pursuing my dreams? It should not. I should still follow it should I like to. But thinking that I am not contributing as I had hoped to, doesn’t mean I am not showing talent. It should not make me feel less of a person.

#2
“What do we do when our hearts hurt?” asked the boy.
“We wrap them with friendship, shared tears and time, till they wake hopeful and happy again.”

I am forever grateful, that in my darkest moments, I have friends that I can count on. Friends who care about me, and go above and beyond to show it, including the person who gave me this book — right in times when life feels so difficult and in need of some sweeteners.

And those who know me, know that I cherish this friendship with all my heart, even though I don’t show them often, or even see these friends often. That, in fact, is so precious — knowing that they’ll be there, they can listen to you, understand you, even at times it’s so hard to articulate what your heart wanted to say. They’re there for you, and that’s all that matters.

#3
“Yes, but look how far we’ve come,” said the horse.

I am so laser-focused on results, that many times I just forget that the process matters too. That, as much as, we’re still on our way to our destination, we have come so far. Appreciating this, or acknowledging it, helped me to see how, too, I have come a long way to get where I am today. So, I, too, deserve a little bit of appreciation for myself — something I truly, frequently forget.

—

There are just too many things I love in this book, I can go on forever.
Some examples:
“We can only see our outsides, but nearly everything happens on the inside.”
“The greatest illusion is that life should be perfect.”
“Tears fall for a reason and they are your strength, not weakness.”
All of those are just speaking right through me, helping me articulate things I’ve been meaning to share with others.

I hope you find yours: a conductor to share your deepest heart.