“A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose”: A Book Worth Reading

publication date: Mar 3, 2008

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author/source: Debbie Gibson

By Debbie Gibson

If you are a person who already feels you couldn’t be any happier, then turn the page because this article’s not for you. If you sometimes feel there’s more to life than what you are or have, then read on.

Why is it that happiness seems to be so fleeting, yet it’s the thing that everyone wishes they had in their lives? We’re happy today because we got that promotion or our child’s team won their soccer match, but a month down the road it’s the same old same old.  Is it the particular time in history in which we live? Was finding happiness always so elusive? What is happiness? Is it an emotion or a state of being? How many people do we know that are authentically happy? Is it truly happiness we seek or a greater meaning of life?

As they say, “Within everyone’s life a little rain must fall.” Last year, that rain fell on me like the typhoon season in the Far East. It seemed like it would never end.  Much of it was brought on by me. By the end of the year, I knew that if I didn’t see sunshine soon I would forever be looking like a drowned rat (metaphorically speaking).  A decidedly bad look for me.

I’ve always been one of those people who have searched for my purpose in life.  I’ve read countless books, asked probing questions of the people I’ve met but still was unable to find the answer. Outwardly – at least to the world – I appeared to have achieved a semblance of success, but something always felt like it was missing. I knew that if I was able to discover my true purpose in life, it would surely bring about the happiness I longed for.

The problem was that I thought purpose meant what I was supposed to accomplish or achieve. I equated purpose with employment. My quest has been going on for years. Gee, my next-door neighbor is an accomplished architect. He must have found his purpose in life. I wonder how he knew, I would ask myself.

People always say that everything always happens in your life for a reason and I agree. It seems like all of the reading and the questioning I had done for years, all came to fruition when I read the book “A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle. Many of you might recognize this book as being Oprah’s current book to read. First, let me say that I read books for my pleasure, not because someone famous tells me to. But I do admire Oprah Winfrey as a person who wants the world to be a better place and for people to reach their fullest potential, so her recommendation did carry a small degree of influence. For the first time since the introduction of her reading club, she recommended a book that was not a novel, but rather one that she felt so personally moved by because she understood its potential for having a life changing influence on anyone who read it. She is also sponsoring the largest worldwide interactive classroom on the book beginning March 3. You can register for this classroom by going to www.Oprah.com.

“A New Earth” is not an easy read. It’s one that requires concentration and attention. But once you grasp the concept that peace can only be found from a conscious awareness of what your own mind can do to you and for you, you won’t be able to put it down.  It’s a life instruction manual on how to connect with your inner body and inner self and, thus, achieve peace within yourself. It also shows you how you can have a tremendous impact on everyone you meet and, potentially, the entire world.

If you struggle with the past or are fearful of the future, read this book. If you feel like you can’t quite get a handle on the present, read this book. If you want more peace in your life, then read this book.  This book will bring tears of joy to your eyes. It’s so simple, yet, in our everyday world, so hard to comprehend without the help of the kind of writing which is contained within.

Never have I read a book that had a greater influence on me, one which happened the minute I put into action that which I was reading. I’ve carried this book around with me, talking to countless people who are also seeing the incredible power it reveals. Those that are reading it want to share it.  In fact, they are eager to discuss it.  It is spiritual but not about religion. In fact, it has only given more meaning to my own religious beliefs. I would even go out on a limb to say that it could be construed as the basis for all spiritual beliefs, regardless of your religion.  It is a book that helps you understand and feel that every single moment in your life is actually your purpose in life. The past can no longer haunt you and there is nothing to fear in the future because you can’t fear something that’s yet to exist.

If you already have all of the peace you can stand, I couldn’t be happier for you. If you are looking for a greater purpose in life and are reading this book, I’d love to hear your thoughts. For me, the idea that a collective consciousness can affect the world means hope. Give us your thoughts, North Fulton, at dgibson@beaconcast.com