I recently finished reading an excellent book and in the process learned an invaluable lesson.

The name of this book isn’t important.  The subject matter isn’t important.  And the author isn’t important.

What is important is the book “spoke to me.” It was as if the author was reading my mind.  He seemed to know exactly what I was going through, what I was thinking and the types of answers I was looking for.  It was amazing.  But what is even more amazing is this:

A few years back I read the same book and hated it.  Yes, hated it.  Now, I love the damn thing.

Of course, the book didn’t change.  I did.  Time went by.  My circumstances changed.  And my attitudes and concerns shifted along the way.  So now, a message I once found objectionable has suddenly become a godsend.

Now, as I scan my shelves and see many books that didn’t quite live up to my expectations, I can’t help but wonder if I simply wasn’t ready for them.  Maybe I am now.  And if not now, perhaps sometime soon.

The important thing is to keep an open mind – even on a closed book.