A couple of weeks ago I entered into a conversation before class with a few of the teens who had begun discussing the current issues facing our country. Rising gas prices, violence in other countries, increased unemployment, etc. The teens passionately shared their views and their hopes. The discussion was energizing. I proposed a question to the group: "Why don't you do something about it?" Their responses were typical of kids their age, and sadly the same most Americans tend to go with, and that is that they are not able to, are too young or not in a position to do such an act of valor.
I told them they were wrong. I said it doesn't matter how old you are, what you do, or who you are. If you don't act, who will? Write your Congressman, educate yourself and others, create a mini revolution, etc. They laughed at me, so I used it as a "teaching" moment.
I said: You know, Mary was your age when Gabrielle came down and told her about what was going to happen and she accepted. She was young and made a difference. We still talk about her decision today. A good number of our Founding Fathers were in their twenties and considered revolutionaries. The founder of Facebook is a college drop out and a bagillionaire...
The point of this story isn't to spark a revolution or even discuss current events. The world is a scary place. Society is scary. Life tends to suck and there isn't enough time to do everything we need to do, let alone want to do. The point is that when we look at our own lives we can do one of two things. We can sit back watch it go by, complain about how shitty it is, worry about tomorrow and try and get sympathy from anything or anyone that will give it. Or we can accept what's going on regardless of it being crappy,and make the most of it, then move on. A mini personal revolution.
I look at my own life. Just the other day I got the call from the job I anticipated would hire me. I had had two strong interviews and they made it sound like a done deal. The job that I thought I would have by the end of March, called to tell me that they were not going to hire at this time. Aside from that minor set back, I still live at home. There is no long term commitment of anything, and sadly anyone, in my life right now, nor is there anything concrete or clear. I could sit and sulk, but that's not constructive. I have analyzed my situation. I have reflected, worried, studied, prayed, freaked out and accepted everything...then I moved on. I have set out to apply for a job a day until I get something. Every "no" and every lack of response is just one closer to the one. I could be sad that I've batted 0-2 on the last two dates I've been on, but I've realized it's their loss and just makes me one more closer to the one. Writing, working out, hiking, and other productive tasks have taken precedence over worry, stress and the whoa is me mentality.
It reminds me of a story that I once heard about when the Master talked about a priceless antique bowl that was worth a fortune at a public auction. For years it had been used by a "tramp who ended his days in poverty, quite unaware of the value of the bowl with which he begged for pennies."
His disciples asked what the beggar's bowl stood for and his response was "your self!"
When they seemed puzzled, lost and confused, he responded with: "All your attention is focused on the penny knowledge you collect from books and teachers. You would do better to pay attention to the bowl in wish you hold it."
As we live our lives worried about tomorrow. Scared for what lies ahead. Nervous about where we are in our social standing, where we sit in the hierarchy of friends and if "we're where we need to be." We should really not dwell on nothing more than where we are right now. To become focused solely on ourselves, today, whether good or bad. We must accept what we know of our lives right now and work to make the most of it as we press on. Like the beggar we hold our own bowl that is worth more than anything in the world and must make the most of it and that's our own life that we get to live. We only get one. Live it today and worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes...just remember we can only control the next three seconds. One. Two. Three. Repeat.
Until next time...
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