The other day it rained: the heavens opened. As soon as the tumult ended, this new sound began: wheels grating on asphalt. Back and then far, far in the distance, forth — and then again: back and back and back – and forth. What was this? I left my office chair and proceeded to investigate. Here were two children, a brother and a sister, I suppose, pushing a skateboard around our small block. What struck me as so remarkable was their intensity and fervor. It was as if they were in the Olympic tryouts for push-skateboarding (it is a new sport, you know). I particularly took note of their diligence. There seemed to be no diminution in their efforts: each time, whether brother or sister, they pushed with “all their heart,” all their might. Their game was, and is, a wonderful metaphor for life. “How often,” I asked myself, “do I give it 100%?” whatever that “it” is. The answer is, “not often enough.” The secret has to begin with acknowledging the present. Where am I? I am, obviously, right here: not yesterday, not tomorrow, but right now! In an extremely frenetic life, this is much easier to say than to do. How do I develop that intensity for the moment? How do I occupy that place where I can truly claim – “Always excellence: why not?” The path to develop this habit, I believe, has very humble roots. It begins with a “clover hunt” at least once a month.
What is a clover hunt, you may ask? This is when you find a park with a large expanse of lawn, take off your shoes and socks and get down on your knees (gentlemen, roll up your trousers), and begin to look for a four-leaf clover. The discovery of this tiny frond has been considered auspicious since time immemorial. “It is one of the most common good luck symbols in the Western world. The four leaves represent hope, faith, love and luck, or, conversely in another interpretation, fame, wealth, love and health: you choose. Your chances of discovering a four-leaf clover are, according to some pundits, 1:10,000. Thus, the discovery alone is lucky (A friend of mine has found many: I am not so gifted). During the Middle Ages it was believed that a person carrying a four-leaf clover could identify the potential evil spirits that were lurking about — a true protection against ‘the evil eye,’ or the gaze of misfortune.” (1)
Four-Leaf Clover
Ella Higginson (2)
I know a place where the sun is like gold,
And the cherry blooms burst with snow,
And down underneath is the loveliest nook,
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.
One leaf is for hope, and one is for faith,
And one is for love, you know,
And God put another in for luck—
If you search, you will find where they grow.
But you must have hope, and you must have faith,
You must love and be strong – and so—
If you work, if you wait, you will find the place
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.
It is very difficult to remind our consciousness that we are not forever: that half-hearted attempt on my project, test, relationship or whatever, defines me, at least in the present. This is why I like dentists, doctors and teachers (the good ones, that is). They are always in the now with me. And if they are not, I, you, never go back: simple. I wish it could be true with my own life, with everyone’s life. But it isn’t, is it? The world is filled with mediocrity: in ourselves, in our leaders, in our society and in our world civilization. By paying attention to everything we will ignite the change towards total effort that is necessary to change the world. As Sadhguru has said (to paraphrase), “Violence is simply an inability, an excuse, not to talk.” The great philosopher, thinker and polymath Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) leaves us with a thought: We spend our lives, all of us, waiting for the great day, the great battle, or the deed of power. But that external consummation is not given to many: nor is it necessary. So long as our being is tensed, directed with passion, towards that which is the spirit of all things, then that spirit will emerge from our own hidden, nameless effort.
A closing thought: I have recently been invited to many graduation dinners: My third-grade students are finishing their high school studies and stepping out into the world. It is an exciting time for everyone. What I try to impart is that life is not fair, but it is good: that is, if you want. It is miserable and painful, if you don’t. After all, it is, your life – not the life of your mother, or your father, or your boyfriend, or your girlfriend, or your husband, or your wife, or your boss, or your banker, or your priest, or your God. Once again: it is your life – spend it well!
To sum up: This week, we spoke about focus. It is important to remember that we have but one life. It is therefore extremely important to always do our conscious best when undertaking any endeavor. Mediocrity can only produce a sense of loss and of sadness. Our misspent time can never be recovered; no matter how hard we try, it is gone. We must spend our time well.
An amusing occurrence: When I was growing up in my little, isolated village in Canada, a car was everything. If you had a car, you had a girlfriend – or so the myth went amongst “the men.” Now a car was expensive. I had the money because of my part-time job, but then there was my father. A car represented a sense of liberty that he was unwilling to grant — so, no car! Now, we were studying communism (collective property) in social studies. At the same time, someone donated a car to the school’s shop. In high school, all the boys had to study the industrial trades (mechanics, woodworking, etc.) and all the girls had to study home economics (cooking, cleaning, sewing, etc.).The thought began: “Why can’t we share a car?” The girlfriend aspect never came up. It is to be noted that perhaps our lack of female companionship was not only because of the car: we were also “losers,” but didn’t know it. We worked feverously to ready the car for its presentation. A rumor began to circulate in the school that the, let us say, less vivacious men, we going to own a car. It was going to be presented on a given Friday. On that fateful day, the available young women began to assemble outside the front of the school. The shop doors opened onto one end of the schoolyard. I remember that special morning; everyone took great care to look their very best: hair brushed, shirts pressed and shoes shined. After a great fist fight, which disheveled the image, to say the least, one lucky chap became the chauffeur. This was the age of the four-shift transmission (think Fast and Furious Nine). The driver screamed out of the garage. And then, for maximum effect, he paused and “revved up” the transmission, dropped her into gear and hurled the testosterone- fueled rocket across the expansive space. Sadly, someone had forgotten to, obviously, tighten a screw. It began with a slight pop, then a shudder followed by a bang. Then something exited from the back of the car – the transmission, or pieces of it. We were, fortunately, or unfortunately, going too fast to stop. But stop we did, right in front of the available girls. They were now laughing so hard that tears were streaming down their cheeks. To add insult to injury, they were seated with their girlfriends who had brought along their boyfriends. No one would crawl out of the car first. After five very long minutes, I did, thus sealing my relationship isolation for the rest of high school.
Just for fun: STEELY DAN – Reelin in the Years (1973)
This week, please ponder your focus on life.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: If you grasp each moment as often as possible, it will soon become a habit and then an understanding.
Footnotes:
1) The Evil Eye: Meaning of the Curse & Protection Against It