It has been a long time since I have been this inspired by a book.
As a matter of fact, it has been a long time since I have been this inspired.
I just finished reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller, and while I thought Blue Like Jazz would always be my favorite book of his, I believe I was wrong.
A Million Miles has not only given me knew thoughts about my faith but it has changed the way I view my life.
This book was inspired by the making of Blue Like Jazz into a movie. As Miller learned about story and what makes a good one, he began to view life as a story. Thus the ultimate question: Am I living a good story?
I have always been a dreamer and adventurer. You wouldn't know that if you were reading my story for the past few years. This summer I went on a road trip across the country. That was an adventure. But aside from that, my life has been rather deplete of the stuff of good stories, especially in the day to day. I have thought a lot about that, but for me A Million Miles changed my way of thinking on a much deeper level--beyond just seeking out adventure to help make my story more exciting.
I want to make my story more meaningful. I want to cultivate relationships. I want to learn to love in a way that is real. I want to stop expecting other people to fulfill me or to be Jesus, because only then can I learn how to love them just as they are for who they are. I want to be free and open to anything beautiful that I have the opportunity to do. I want to do things that make a difference and leave an impression, whether in one life or in the world as a whole.
I love this from p. 206:
"But I've also let go of the idea things will ever be made perfect, at least while I am walking around on this planet. I've let go of the idea that this life has a climax. I'm trying to be more Danish, I guess. And the thing is, it works. When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you like them for who they are. And when you stop expecting material possessions to complete you, you'd be surprised at how much pleasure you get in material possessions. And when you stop expecting God to end all your troubles you'd be surprised how much you like spending time with God."
As I am writing this, I am realizing that I still have a lot to process after reading this book. And I need to fix my make-up because of the way I was moved to tears as I finished it.
I want to live a better story. I want to create memorable scenes, connect with God and other people, experience incredible moments.
I think everyone should read this book.
Thank you, Donald Miller, for writing this and allowing your experiences and understanding to inspire us all. I hope you are most pleased with having written this book. I am so thankful that you did.
And now I go to live a great story that I can be proud of...
