A snowstorm novel

Reading a good book in a warm house on a cold snow day is a peaceful kind of joy; a joy that has a “bonus” feeling to it. Part way into the short novel “The Archer” by Paulo Coelho, a young student looks to his new archery master for advice on learning the bow, which is a metaphor for learning to do life well. The master’s sage-like replies focus on how to learn from others and how to choose those people well, “Join with those who sing, tell stories, take pleasure in life, and have joy in their eyes, because joy is contagious and can prevent others from becoming paralyzed by depression, loneliness and difficulties” (page 26). So today, I receive joy and choose to share it with others.