This past Sunday, I had a few hours before I went to my afternoon book event, so I took the opportunity to go for a long walk by myself. I borrowed an iPod shuffle and headed out with just my thoughts and someone else’s music. I like to spend time alone prior to book events, if I can, to clear my head and to focus on the upcoming group: whether it be a school, a church, a business, or in this case a group of readers who have a personal interest and connection with the story.

As I was walking, not knowing what music would be next on the shuffle, a song from the musical Wicked came on. Now, this play holds a special meaning in our home, for various reasons, and I am - as many are - familiar with each word of the score. But this particular song was “For Good.” It begins:

I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them. And we help them in return….

I have listened to this song and heard these words a hundred times, but on Sunday morning they played in my mind with a different meaning. We all have much to learn and we all have ways in which we can grow, if we let ourselves and if we allow others to help us. That is what this journey is all about. And if I can do just a little of that, then I will have grown and I will have learned, and hopefully I will have helped someone in return.

Read the lyrics and think about how they hold true in your life. And if they don’t, perhaps they should.