Have you ever had a litany of undesirable experiences? You feel as if your mind is a reservoir of thoughts and emotion – filled to capacity after a heart-rending, traumatic typhoon. Something very, very distressing has just happened and you don’t know if the psychological dam is going to break: can it hold? For many, the answer is no: the subsequent descent into failure is the response. This disappointing life does not have to take the form of a derelict in the streets begging for his existence. It can take the form of wage slavery: acquiescence.
Your pure potential is placed in that special place called “tomorrow,” I will get to Europe and paint tomorrow, I will start that business tomorrow, I will get my MBA tomorrow, etc. Sadly: there is no next morning, there is only today. Herein lies the great dilemma for all of us, I believe. When we leave the confines of our familial cocoon, few people can or are willing to tell us the truth about reality: about life. Existence, when we finally come to terms with its reality at about twenty or so, is shocking and terrifying. We quickly learn it is not easy: it is filled with pitfalls that damage us and weaken our resolve. Why is it so, you may ask? This is because life is not just one point in time from beginning to end: it is dynamic and ephemeral. Many people, especially our loved ones, want us to “play it safe,” get a fairly decent education, get a form of money – a job, get an adequate husband or wife, retire and enjoy! “Enjoy what?” you may ask, “Fool, your retirement years!” Now, how many taut, healthy, intelligent and happy sixty-year-olds do you know, hmm, not many you say? Life is to be lived at each moment. It cannot be “paused” waiting to be put on “play” once again.
When I come to the understanding that I am alive, I must ask myself, “What will I do in my years of consciousness? To slightly misappropriate the lyrics to one of Billie Holiday’s (1) songs: “Me, myself and I; Have just one point of view; We’re convinced; There’s no one else like you.” (2) I am alone and, more importantly, I am unique: now what? The existential question is thus posed. What do I do with this life, with my life? The normal response is, “I don’t know!” Then, using our DBA Method (3) of selection, I narrow down my choices. When we leave university or some form of training, we will have two or three alternatives. We must pick one and begin: it is all about doing, about action. Let us say, I have gone to school and studied business. I also like to talk with people. Why not try out a salesman’s position, for example? Selling is very straightforward: you either love it or loathe it. It does not matter what you sell. Thus, if it is right for you, you have the beginnings of a career. If it is not, choose something else. But, you must stick with your first choice for at least two years. Changing positions too early will not tell you anything about what you like and will just be a waste of time – your time! Khaled Hosseini (b. 1965) the author of The Kite Runner (ISBN 9-789-8674-756-57) leaves us with a thought:Qualities you need to get through … school: Discipline. Patience. Perseverance. A willingness to forgo sleep. A penchant for sadomasochism (4). The ability to weather (5) crises of faith and self-confidence. The acceptance of exhaustion as fact of life. An addiction to caffeine a definite plus. Finally: an unfailing optimism that the end is in sight.
A closing thought: At birth, we should all see a sign, “The lazy need not continue.” This is ultimately true. If you work at anything, anything, you will see success.
A great movie to watch is Florence Foster Jenkins (6) starring Meryl Streep (b. 1949). The movie suggests that all is truly possible with drive, perseverance and, the last and most important tranche, stick- to-itiveness.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about finding your career, your path. This can only be achieved through trial and error, and hard work.
An amusing occurrence: The concept of hubris should be taught as a course: it would remind us of our humility. In my first year at university, some friends of mine gave me undergarments with hearts of them, as a joke, for my birthday. Student life being busy, I ran out of clean clothing and was forced to wear them. That particular day, I had to make a rather serious presentation to the class. Several classes had been combined including other professors and the like. As I began my speech the snickers, guffaws, and laughs began. I just could not get the joke, given my subject matter: moral philosophy. When the crescendo of merriment was just beginning to peak, a friend of mine strode up on stage and, whispered in my ear that my trousers were not properly fastened.
Just for fun, Louis Armstrong – What a wonderful world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWzrABouyeE
This week, please reflect on your life, your unique and special life. We must promise to live it well.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: Magic comes to each and every one of us, each and every day.
Footnotes:
1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Holiday
2) Billie Holiday – Me myself and I
3) Please refer to our Blog of February 25th, 2017
4) Sadomasochism is the giving or receiving of pleasure from acts involving the receipt or infliction of pain or humiliation: working too much, for example.
5) Here the verb “to weather,” means to survive or to last through the difficulty.
6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Foster_Jenkins_(film)