100 Books Project :: Adventure, Disappointment and Revelation

[Book #34 :: Deposited in Banff, Alberta, Canada November 16, 2009]

"So... I tried to give away the second book.  I found the perfect location for it in Banff, Alberta... but things didn't turn out quite as I expected."  ~Book Fairy Heather Plett, in an email to me about what happened with Book #34. 

I knew immediately this was going to be a good story, and I wasn't disappointed.  After Heather left the book on an old stone bridge in Banff, this is what happened:

"Fantasizing about the person who'd find it (and even imagining I might see her later walking through downtown with the book tucked under her arm), I crossed the river and killed some time in a Native arts centre. When I was sure I'd left enough time (quite a few people had crossed the bridge by then), I headed back into town.

The book was still there. Someone had torn open the tape on the paper packaging, peeked inside, and left it all behind. I was heartbroken. How could someone see such a beautiful book free for the taking and not whisk it away to a private little hideaway for some quality soul time?

I did my best to re-seal the package, propped the book back up, and walked away again.

About half an hour later, standing in a gallery staring at paintings and photographs that I was suddenly aware were no better than what I could produce, a thought flashed through my mind. Maybe I was meant to take the book. Maybe this was MY ordinary sparkling moment.

I didn't think the book would still be there, but I decided that if it were, it was meant to be mine. Pretending for a moment I was my nineteen-year-old self crossing the bridge to my forty-three-year-old self, I returned to where I'd left the book. It was still there, lying on its side again, like someone else had rejected it and assumed it was meant for someone else.

I took it, but not without HUGE reservations and a whole lot of arguing with myself. (Aren't you cheating? Maybe Christine will be angry. Shouldn't you fulfill your duties like you promised? You're failing again!)

Steeling my resolve, I marched back into town with the book tucked under my arm. The arguments didn't fully stop (I considered dropping the book on a bench, or giving it to a lovely woman in an art gallery or to one of the owners of the "Three Wild Women" boutique), but in the end, I chose to make it mine.

In a flash of inspiration, I walked into a jewelery store and bought myself a promissary ring. (I later learned that the blue chalcedony is meant to strengthen the body and mind and give the wearer a sense of clarity about what they like and don't like.)"

"In the Wild Flour café, I wrote myself a promise note.

I promise:
- I will take more chances.
- I will believe that I am an artist.
- I will trust my ability.
- I will look for opportunities to paint and make art as often as I can.
- I will sign up for another class or workshop that stretches me.
- I will honour the muse.

It's never too late to learn the things I should have known that summer I turned 19.

I drove back to Calgary wearing my new ring. I am rather fond of the way it looks on my weathered 43 year old hand.

On the flight home, I read my new book. Perhaps, on my next trip, I'll pass it on to someone else who needs it, but for now, it sits on a shelf in my lovely little studio reminding me that I AM AN ARTIST!"

I love this story for so many reasons, most of all because of the way Heather turned a disappointment into a an opportunity to follow her intuition and create, as she said, her own ordinary sparkling moment.  I am so happy that Heather knew deep down that this project isn't about following a specific formula or adhering to rigid rules.  This is a project about generosity - not only to strangers, but to ourselves.

Thank you Heather!

{The entire story is here, and all photos were taken by Heather.}

Comments

[xl pharmacy]

I'm waiting for this new book. I have to say I'm very anxious cuz first book I simply loved it, and I have high expectations for this one.

[Di]

I love these stories and this one was simply delicious. I'm sure it's the biggest common bond we all have ... the whole 'should I'?' thing, the guilt, the struggle to permit the self to do this thing.

I enjoyed the promise note, my fingers itched to begin one here :)

[Paris Parfait]

Wonderful story! Love that your beautiful book continues to inspire so many people to be their most creative selves! xo

[pixie]

What a great listener she is! So fun.

[Kate Robertson]

I love this story!

[Jane Thorpe]

I love this story because I know Banff well - I can picture it all - I know the bridge and I know the Native arts centre!!!

Wonderful story!!!

[Christine C.]

Wonderful story...turning frustrations into positives is a beautiful thing! Thanks for sharing!

[Heather Plett]

Thank you so much for including me in your grand adventure and generosity! I LOVE the book and proudly wearing my new promise ring and telling everyone the story that goes along with it. :-)

[christina]

This is a beautiful~meant to be~it happened for a reason~ story. The ring and the promise note, was frosting on a cupcake.
Deep sigh for beauty. xo
Enjoy!