In human affairs of danger and delicacy, successful conclusion is sharply limited by hurry. So often men trip by being in a rush. If one were properly to perform a difficult and subtle act, he should first inspect the end to be achieved and then, once he had accepted the end as desirable, he should forget it completely and concentrate solely on the means. By this method he would not be moved to false action by anxiety or hurry or fear. Very few people learn this.

From “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck

I was looking for a literary snippet. I opened the novel “East of Eden,” which I had read a long time ago, and the beginning of chapter 21 flashed before my eyes.  I felt like one of those magicians who had opened a deck of cards and found the mystery card hidden by someone in the audience.  This must be the right paragraph for today. The quote from John Steinbeck contains quite a bit of teaching. One can never be in a hurry to complete anything. Many people admire whatever you did well, but only a few ask how long it took you to accomplish it.  I don’t know if it is possible or even advisable to “once he had accepted the end as desirable, he should forget it completely and concentrate solely on the means.”  One must have a clear goal of where one wants to get and keep it in mind.

I should mention I have completed my new book “Uprooted Agave: Latino Stories,”  a collection of stories about Latino immigrants.  I began to write them 12 years ago, but the reality remains vivid and adamant as if time had never passed.  In testimony of my affection, the book is offered to  my patients who came to this country as undocumented immigrants and built a promising future for themselves and their children. Each story is also dedicated to a friend who has provided significant service to the Latino community or has contributed to the book with an idea or a personal experience. You may want to check when it comes out in two months since you might be one of the honorees.