All Good Things Must Come to an End

Finishing a favorite book is like coming to the end of a much enjoyed vacation. In this case, it's been more like an eight month sabbatical because 1068 pages of fine print takes a while to pour through. Well...technically, it was more akin to my college career because I picked it up and shelved it again a number of times before finally managing to bring it to its rather serene but inevitable end.

Ayn Rands signature novel, Atlas Shrugged, has been my constant companion, reality check, motivator, voice-of-reason and Gold-Standard identifier for all attributes necessary to those human beings who aspire to achieve greatness. It has helped keep myself honest when, despite one's best intentions, you're tempted to take shortcuts or simply throw in the towel through sheer lack of frustration or sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. Of course I'm talking as much about the abstract as I am about concrete situations, but the ideals remain the same regardless. It's easier to take on seemingly tough tasks when you see the perspective of others who lead truly inspirational lives. After all, what is the point of living if you aren't aspiring to reach the highest level of whatever you chose to take on.

I haven't yet decided on what to fill this new gap in my life with. I think I might stay on the theme of Rand by reading some Aristotle. She credits much of her thought process to his works, although she disagrees with some of his ideals. Since I know nothing about either, it may be time to educate myself further.