A Passage That I Find Memorable

     It took me awhile to think of a good passage to post for this, but I finally found it.  The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is one of my all-time favorite reads.  I may not agree with all of the theistic undertones, but I do very much enjoy the themes about omens and the Soul of the World.  This book follows the story of an Andalusian boy who goes from being a shepherd to becoming a traveler.  The people he meets, the thoughts he thinks, and the dialogue spoken between characters are all very meaningful.  I can't really say much without giving it all away, so here's the excerpt:

     "The seer was a specialist in the casting of twigs; he threw them on the ground, and made interpretations based on how they fell.  That day, he didn't make a cast.  He wrapped the twigs in a pieces of cloth and put them back in his bag.
     "I make my living forecasting the future for people," he said.  "I know the science of the twigs, and I know how to use them to penetrate to the place where all is written.  There, I can read the past, discover what has already been forgotten, and understand the omens that are here in the present.  When people consult me, it's not that I'm reading the future; I am guessing at the future.  The future belongs to God, and it is only he who reveals it, under extraordinary circumstances.  How do I guess at the future?  Based on the omens of the present.  The secret is here in the present.  If you pay attention to the present, what comes later will also be better.  Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his children.  Each day, in itself, brings with it an eternity""