Have you ever felt “lost”? Not in the sense of actually being LOST, but in the sense of feeling lost. Do you ever feel like some days you wonder from here to there, or your thoughts keep drifting to places of memories or fear? Well, this quote, or rather excerpt, is from one of my favorite book series (the third book comes out this April!) to date. This passage was very thought provoking for me, and I hope it is for you too!

“Lost is not a hopeless place to be. It is a place of patience, of waiting. Lost does not mean gone for ever. Lost is a bridge between worlds, where the pain of our past can be transformed into power. You have always held the key to this special place, but now you are ready to unlock the door.
Each person who finds themselves here brings a special gift that if they use it, you can transcend your fears. A story handed down through memory, lives that reveal themselves to you without words, books that breathe their knowledge softly in your ear, mechanical toys that Spring to life under kind hands, nostalgia rescued and reborn into a new life- all of these things are the real magic within these walls. There is an energy here that can transform into anything it wants. It has remained hidden from all the except the true believers, a tiny seed that still contains all that it once was and can be again.
Are you ready to cross the threshold…”

Excerpt from “The Lost Library”, Pages 410-411, By: Evie Woods

As I stated above, these words spoke to me, in a very deep and thoughtful place within my heart. Last year, 2024, was a VERY difficult and trying year for me and my family. I know that others were going through similar situations, and some were going through different and more challenging situations, but I feel that these words can speak to every.single.person who reads them out loud! No situation is better or worse than the other, and no situation changes how we handle the hard things in life. I personally like to call these curve balls, and they always tend to come out of left field. But, life is not always sunshine and rainbows, as there are many days and times that are thunderstorms and lightning strikes.

… 2024, left me feeling very lost in a variety of different situations, and many of these situations taught me some very important and valuable life lessons. They also gently reminded me that I am stronger than I allow myself to believe. There are many parts of the above excerpt that, I feel, we all could take to heart and remember that we are all human. Each of us will have days where we feel lost, hopeless, fearful, and defeated. But we also have to remember, and allow our village of friends and family to help us remember, that being lost is OK! Being lost doesn’t have to be a negative, as stated above, lost is a place of patience, of waiting. I truly believe and have witnessed myself, that lost can be a bridge between two worlds. And from those worlds, you unlock strength and power within yourself. You open a new door that you didn’t know existed.. or maybe you did know it existed, but you didn’t know how or when to open it. The second paragraph of this excerpt continues to build on how one can use that power for positivity or allow your fears to take over your newfound door and power. Power can also equate to magic, not in the literal sense, but words hold power. Stories hold power, fears hold power, hopes hold power, dreams hold power, and memories hold power. It is how we use our power that makes the difference. We can use the power of words, touch, and strength in a way that lifts positivity up from the world, or we can allow the power of fear to tear it all down to negativity. Power, magic, open doors, broken down walls, all bring a new level of energy, and that energy can be used to allow that tiny seed to grow into a beautiful and thriving flower or plant.

So the next time you feel ‘lost’, remember that it is truly a place of patience, as it does not mean gone forever. I hope that you build a loving, caring, and colorful bridge when you are on your way to opening a new door.

With love,

Sarah Crocker