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The Moderators of the group based on the book 1001 BOOKS YOU MUST READ BEFORE YOU DIE welcome you.
There is a general explanation of the group and some answers to FAQ under the discussion thread GROUP GUIDELINES. The past BOTM can be found pinned to the top for 2011, 2010 and 2009 if you want to search discussions you can join in anytime.
Our June BOTMs are:
1. Madam Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
2. The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
3. Absalom! Absalom! by William Faulkner
Please join us in one or all three. The discussion questions are posted and pinned to the top of the discussions.
Life is meant to be lived
Life is to be lived. No excuses. No reservations. No holding back.
An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he once came across a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When he finally raised the money for the violin, he returned to buy it and learned that it had already been sold to a collector.
He went to the new owner's home in order to try to persuade him to sell the violin. But the collector said it was one of his prized possessions and he could not let it go. The disappointed Kreisler turned to leave, but then asked a favour. 'May I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?'
Permission was granted and the great musician began to play. The violin sang out a quality of music so beautiful that the collector himself could only listen in wonderment. 'I have no right to keep that to myself,' he said after the musician finished. 'The violin is yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into world, and let people hear it.'
William Arthur Ward said, 'If you believe in prayer, pray; if you believe in serving, serve; if you believe in giving, give. For you and I are exquisite violins - our music is meant to be heard.'
I want to live my life that way - to take it into the world and live it fully. I'd rather burn out than rust out. I'd rather be used up than die not having done whatever I could . . . wherever I would.
I'm not talking about wearing ourselves out on over-activity. Happiness is never found in excessive busyness. But it is found in investing our lives in others. Saying yes when asked for a hand. Volunteering some time for a worthwhile organization. Spending an hour with a lonely relative.
In the end, I know that my happiness will not have been about by my ability or my inability. It will have been about my availability. My life is meant to be lived.
Written by Steve Goodier
Hi I plan to read this book "Into the Wild". Have you read it. If so how`s the experience.
