A new year and new beginning has arrived and the possibilities are endless. With 2014 closed, we sit fresh upon 2015 with the opportunity to reflect on the past and look optimistically towards the future. Let us learn from yesterday and plan for tomorrow while we live for today. As we open 2015, we open a new book with blank pages. We are the author of our book and what we record is determined based upon how we choose to live and spend our moments.
Nearly three years ago, I stumbled across a book that offered me something I have attempted to implement and base my life upon. The book is “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. Reading this book was more akin to having a conversation with Liz (yeah, I kind of feel a connection and this is what I call her). It was as if she was sitting with me, telling me the story, and I could feel it. We share some major similarities and experiences. Though there are many things she shared with me in our “conversation,” there is a specific quote I have been rebuilding and molding my life upon.
Liz said to me, “I’ve come to believe that there exists in the universe something I call “The Physics of The Quest” — a force of nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity or momentum. And the rule of Quest Physics maybe goes like this: “If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared – most of all – to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself… then truth will not be withheld from you.” Or so I’ve come to believe.”
It is a bit odd that I think I am living this but find myself reaching new plateaus of comprehension and deeper meaning of what she shared with me. I had thought I was getting to be an expert on this in its application. What I am realizing is I am far from having it mastered. I am not really qualified to teach on the subject, and am a struggling student (though, without access to student loans, scholarships, or financial aid) trying to comprehend the full meaning behind this layered quote.
For far too long I have sat on the back row, being the class clown, and while succeeding in much, I was failing in the meaning of life–my life. Yeah, I bought into the “American Dream” that was peddled along with the white picket fence, ever expanding square footage, two car garage, chasing dollars, toys, and such. I had those things but they did not offer purpose. They didn’t even really offer happiness. Instead, it resulted in chasing larger “dreams” and more toys to feed an insatiable quest to acquire it all.
Well folks, I am moving to the front row! I am here to state that I am not interested in the dream I was sold. Instead, I am more interested in the pursuit of happiness–my dream–my purpose. For me, I have discovered that it isn’t about chasing dollars so I can retire and live the life I meticulously planned to live someday. Rather, it is to live my life on a daily basis that allows me to be fulfilled; to enjoy the moment, to be present, to go to bed satisfied with the day. I have realized this means filling my life with the connections and relationships I have with others.
I don’t say this to imply it needs to be your dream. I am not here to sell you a dream. I share to offer the suggestion that we need to each have our own dream, that we not compare ourselves to one another to evaluate our success. Rather, we need to look inward and determine if we are living how we would like to–today. Do you enjoy your life? Are you satisfied? Do you feel whole? Are you happy? If money were not an issue, what would you change? I hope we can all get to a point, sooner rather than later, where we can answer affirmatively and that the answer to the last question would be little or nothing.
Steve Jobs is quoted as saying, “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” I have found this to be increasingly making its presence into my life. I have a few passions that have remained dormant and pushed back in order to chase other things that seemed more prudent and pressing. However, doing so has always left a “what if” in my mind.
I have decided to set them free and flourish with eagerness and welcoming arms. I don’t believe we necessarily choose our passions but that we are born with them, or, they are shaped from experiences we have. Perhaps, they choose us. We simply get to allow them to rise or fall based upon what we do with them. They can make us feel alive as we nourish them or kill us from the inside by extinguishing them and leaving us regretfully wondering, what if?
Embracing them doesn’t always work out as we had hoped and can sometimes feel like a huge mistake, creating trepidation to dare to dream again. I agree with Einstein, “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” Yes, the risk of failure is there with trying something new. Yet, there is a sense of living and many wonderful lessons to be experienced as well.
C.S. Lewis said, “Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” It can be difficult letting go to move forward. Even with the knowledge of needing to, for varying reasons, there is security in the familiar, regardless of its unhealthiness.
Maslow suggests there is a hierarchy of needs we each have and upon fulfilling them we reach the highest point of self-actualization. I cannot claim to fully have this pyramid in place or built upon a solid foundation. I’ve attempted to build it several times only to have it crumble. You know what? I do think I am gaining valuable knowledge and experience with each rebuild. I don’t necessarily have to go searching for the building blocks anymore. Instead, I am able to understand their reliance upon the other and getting to be a decent architect for my life.
This year, as we close out 2014, my suggestion is to allow the past to be closed. Forgive others, forgive yourself, and let it be done. As you reflect on yesterday and contemplate your tomorrow with new resolutions and goals don’t forget to include living today. Allow this year to be a rebirth as you live your passion and begin living fearlessly. What will you be writing in your 2015 book?
Make it count!
George Scott is a man of many talents and careers. Currently he is an aspiring artist in the art of communication, building community, and connecting. Although he has formal educational training, he prefers to learn his life lessons from the school of hard knocks. He is currently working on a third bachelors degree in rebuilding, rejuvenating and inspiring others. George can be found as the man on the street happily making new friends and sharing his wealth with the world. If you would like to contact him email [email protected]
SUNDAY EDITION content for January 4, 2015:
