Good things rarely happen overnight

Good things take time, and Jeff Barry's debut novel, "Go to Hell Ole Miss," is proof.

It took Barry eight years to complete the book, squeezing in regular writing sessions and trips dedicated to the craft into his life.

From physical fitness to spiritual formation — and yes, even writing a book — progress tends to be slow.

"Go to Hell Ole Miss" is a product of decades of living and finding bits and pieces of inspiration in everyday places and faces.

I find it incredible that the words "Go to Hell Ole Miss," carved into a German shed in the 1940s, inspired a soldier to keep going and eventually led his son to write a novel that bears the same phrase on the cover.

My point in saying all of this is that we shouldn't expect to change our lives in an instant. Good things rarely happen overnight, and there's no telling when or where inspiration may strike.

You may find deep meaning in something that happened decades ago or something that happened this morning. Regardless, we have to continue to look for it and follow it where it leads, knowing that the journey may be a long one.

If you're an Ole Miss fan, don't let the title of Barry's book keep you from reading it. Not only is the origin story incredible, but the novel itself is an excellent amalgamation of characters, places and Southernisms that Northeast Mississippians will find both familiar and compelling.