TEACHER SEEKS PUPIL. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person.

I seldom read a book on the advice of someone outside my literary circle; I know this sounds snooty, but I just do not have the time to read something recommended by someone who has not even read the book. In this case, I made an exception because of the positive impact it made on Jeff.

I have been unable to put this book down. I am fascinated by the book Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn. I don't want to give any of it away, but the book offers amazing insight into so much that is currently plaguing society. Why people are the way they are. Why do we not realize that we are all part of a larger family and that the individual is only as strong as the family?

If gorillas were capable of such expression, they would tell you that their family is like a hand, of which they are fingers. They are fully aware of being a family but are very little aware of being individuals. here in the zoo there were other gorillas--but there was no family. Five severed fingers do not make a hand.

This quote is not far into the book, but from the beginning I am sucked into the idea that perhaps there is too much importance placed on "me" and not enough placed on "us" - meaning all of us. Most of you know I am a little bit of a green, hippie-loving, feminist. Reading a book like this seems to validate so much of what I believe already. It is a work of fiction of course, but it echoes true sentiments about life and belief systems in a way that is truly profound. I may not be the same after reading this book.

I have more to say about selfishness and ignorance, but that is for another day.