Don’t you love the thought of an upcoming trip, a new purchase, or next month’s concert? Anticipation is part of the energy that makes life enviable, viable, and exciting. Yes, indeed, we must deeply thrust ourselves into the moment, into the present. But concomitant with that feeling is the thought of what could or what will be.
Where are we going in this great adventure called life? History is filled with people, who on the verge of greatness, collapsed and failed — and subsequently stumbled into ignominy. But at least they had taken a chance, they had taken a risk. One of the most famous has to be Nikola Tesla. (1) His inventions brought him only limited success in his lifetime, but they changed the world.,
What is the lesson here? Reality is now, this is completely true and self-evident. But, we need plans and goals — a sense of the future. They will fill life with a necessary pathway — a road map — in expectation of the greatness of existence. Quite sadly, if I fail to understand that the illustriousness of life is contingent on action, and I fail to take steps, then nothing happens. I live out the proverbial unrequited life. (2) I won’t fulfill what I am supposed to do with my piece of life. This is not a unique occurrence in human history. Most people do not believe they have a specific mission in life. (3)
Oftentimes, one’s goals are predicated on the inane, the unimportant — finish school, get a job, save some money. Good goals in themselves, but they fail to answer the three fundamental questions: Why am I here? What is my mission? What happens when I transcend, where do I go? In life, being a seeker of answers to these questions has to be the greatest of all elixirs for it is associated with love — love of the self and the love of others — because love in its purest form wants the very best for all of us. It wants mankind to unfold and live a flourishing existence.
Commencing the new year is a wonderful time to contemplate the beginning of my trek. Much like the sky after a storm, it opens in front of me and quickly removes me from the perceived monotony of life into something inviting and invigorating. So, anticipating the journey of my new year, I promise to make it replete with much love, joy, and understanding. I have a lot to learn and experience. Dr. Samuel Johnson (4) leaves us with a thought: Such is the state of life, that none are happy but by the anticipation of change — the change itself is nothing; when we have made it, the next wish is to change again.
A closing thought: It is important to live in the present, but cock our eye to the future. The integrated person surely knows this. We only have to step outside to realize that an aptly watered and nurtured bud grows into a magnificent and aromatic flower.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about anticipation and its allure.
To be noted: From T.E. Lawrence (5) — All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.
Just for fun:
For reflection:
This week, on your reflective walk, please ponder what you anticipate in the upcoming year.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Don’t be a wage slave – critical thinking is great!
Quote: Live your life in a state of wonder and imagination.
Footnotes:
1) The 10 Inventions of Nikola Tesla That Changed The World
2) Jordan Peterson: ‘The pursuit of happiness is a pointless goal’
3) 5 Lessons from Viktor Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning”