My observation is that many people feel tossed about, like sailors on a small yacht, caught in some violent tempest. This life hurricane exists from the time we gain consciousness to the moment we are expunged. It is a seemingly uncontrollable state, producing pure panic and naked terror – and its attendant poor long-term decisions. The world-wide divorce rate continues to increase, for example. (1) Fortunately, this does have to be one’s life. In existence, confusion is normal, but totally controllable. The conundrum that all thinking beings confront is an understandable part of being alive. “Who am I and why am I here?” is an age-old question that can only be answered by the individual. What is required, however, is the desire to leave the squall and bring our vessel to a peaceful bay. This is much, much easier to say than to actually accomplish. How does one begin?
The initial step is a resolution to take control — to change, to be important to yourself – and therefore the society. It begins with making your bed. Yes, this most trivial of activities is a necessary step in the overall development of a person. Why is this inane activity so important? This is because such a simple act closes the night, and the attendant past circumstances of yesterday, and opens a new chapter on your continuance.
The subsequent step is the recording of one’s life, the annotating of the day-to-day occurrences that punctuate our existence. Here, the notebook is a person’s greatest tool. Begin by documenting your daily activities. Record your thoughts and feelings from the time you awake (and the dreams of your sleep) to the peaceful conclusion of a dynamic day. Now, not every day will be filled with the “stuff of legend,” but on those days simply record the day and the date. This will make the time unique and noteworthy, regardless of its historical value. We live in an age that lauds our individuality on the one hand. “Your vote is important,” and other claims that inflate the ego, to the realization that we all live in a society whose very existence has produced overwhelming amounts of loneliness and despair. (2)
The only resolution for each of us is the realization that we are fundamentally alone and 100% responsible for our own life and its actions. This must account for the fickleness of our mortal being, as well. Bad things do happen. (3) Now, this is not the isolation of despair but the relief that each and every one of us can if not control at least manage our life circumstances.
The next step is to resolve to be aware of our temple, our body. It does not have to be beautiful, but it does have to remain healthy. As a doctor in Calcutta once told me, the body is like an old Mercedes Benz; it will run for over 500,000 kilometers, but, from time to time, you must realign the headlights, rotate the tires, and change the oil. In other words, you must be aware of your body and exercise – whatever that means to you. “Early to bed and early to rise keeps you healthy, wealthy and wise.” (4) These three basic activities will begin to reduce the pounding waves and stormy seas that wash over all thoughtful and sensitive beings. It is important to remark that suffering is a part of growth and, without its angst, we wouldn’t be alive. The poet, novelist, and designer, William Morris, (5) leaves us with a thought: The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.
A closing thought: It is important to remember that my life is my own. I may be some leaf in a raging river, but I can still direct it to a peaceful eddy beside its bank. Here, I can reflect and prepare myself for my ongoing frenetic journey to the sea. Inside my mind, there can always be peace, regardless of my external circumstances. “I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long run — in the long run, I say! — success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think of it.” (6)
To sum up: This week we spoke about the storm of life and how you can be sheltered from its vagaries.
To be noted: from Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 -1962) — We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face … we must do that which we think we cannot.
Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7nSjwRMOog&ab_channel=ABCClassic
For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jspI6F_mql8&ab_channel=TheSpiritualVoyage
This week on your reflective walk, please contemplate how you will control your own personal storm.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful
Quote: I promise in my life that I will be successful, whatever that means to me.
Footnotes:
1)https://www.unifiedlawyers.com.au/blog/global-divorce-rates-statistics/
2)https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/14/age-of-loneliness-killing-us
3)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Bad_Things_Happen_to_Good_People
4)This quote is believed to be from Benjamin Franklin (1705-1790). It appeared in his Poor Richard’s Almanack (1739); however, it was first recorded by the English headmaster, John Clarke (1609-1676), in his English and Latin proverbs (1639).
5)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Morris
6)https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning