There comes a time in all of our lives where we are faced with the brutal realities of life. That time where we look ourselves in the mirror and are unhappy with what we see. The moment when reality smacks you in the face with a 2 x 4 of truth. That unmarked crossroad of life where we stare down two roads: The road of righteousness and the down hill stretch of disappointment; only to remember that you forgot your map to help us decide which one is the correct road to continue down. That single instance that it hits you that this isn't what you're life is supposed to be like...cue sappy string quartet.
It could be the moment you catch up with friends about their upcoming job prospect that they were just offered. The quick glance at your Facebook news feed when you see seven new engagement updates, three side profile photos of that one time high school crush who is now expecting another bundle of joy or that one girl who always seems to have a new relationship update, while you sit by asking when is your time. That interview that you left thinking to yourself welp, not gonna get that one.
Funny how things work.
Sounds kind of funny, but that's when I turn to the likes of Rocky Balboa. What's even funnier is what I'm about to say, I believe that we all have a part of Rocky deep inside of us. We all have a little bit of the Italian Stallion ready to break free from the fenced in confines of our being. Now, if you don't know who rocky Balboa is, or understand any of the references, I apologize for wasting your time and want to save you another minute of your life as I suggest that you just skip on to another blog or on to something more worthwhile.
Rocky teaches us that you can go twelve rounds with any opponent in life. A rival, an enemy, addiction, heartbreak, death/ loss, anything. He proves that anyone can go toe-to-toe with any challenge and persevere through determination, dedication and a chip on your shoulder. Because like he said in Rocky Babloa "Nothing will hit as hard as life." How often we forget that.
I've begun to struggle with that a lot lately, especially with recent interviews and opportunities, frequent reminders of how "far behind" I am to most of my peers and how depressing it is to work part time at the same place I did in high school. Then it dawned on me - while watching Rocky IV - that everyone's journey is different. Everyone's path differs in challenges, terrain, obstacles, levels of difficulties, etc...cue Rocky Balboa training montage with groovy 70's and 80's techno music.
While some of my peers value a few years of hard work building a foundation at one job and some growing into miserable machines; I chose two full time stints, a summer gig in the mountains and part time opportunities just to seek out more opportunities to fine tune my skills and seek out a fulfilling trade. While some peers chose to actually embed themselves into corporate America; I chose to leave and find a personal purpose that will help protect me upon my return. As some married themselves to the one they love most; I chose a courtship with curiosity, an affair with adventure and a spouse in spontaneity...all three new to my life since graduating college.
All of our lives, although extremely different, are filled with similar stories, setbacks and sad truths. And if there is anything that I've learned from watching many Rocky Movie Marathons on Spike, it's that no matter who you are, where you're from, whether you're a rookie, a veteran, a has-been or a never-was-been we can all fight, we can all go twelve rounds, fifteen rounds or even twenty rounds...when fighting in the ring of life.
So in the words of Rocky Balboa we must remember:
"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"
Ding. Ding. Ding. Round One. Fight.
Until next time...
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
4.15.2012
4.01.2012
Your revolUtion begins with you
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...
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...
3.04.2012
What you learn from being ignored by a tween
This past weekend I lead a retreat for over seventy junior high kids from the area. Like most young teenagers they come to retreats not looking for much or anything at all. And, like most retreats, I went to help share lessons of inspiration and faith only to be taught greater ones for me in my own life.
As we enjoyed a day of fun group activities, energizing songs, powerful witnesses and prayer you could tell that some kids were totally into it and other a bit apprehensive. As I facilitated the activities and even gave a witness I kept being drawn to one kid. A scrawny eighth grader with black rimmed glasses. He kept to himself, avoided eye contact and seemed more into his texting than he was than taking part in the day.
I attempted to start up small talk. When I came to an emotional or moving part of a talk I tried to engage him, but it seemed nothing I did, the special attention, was getting him to budge and I felt defeated.
When it came time for our retreat to end I happened to sit at his table to say my thank you's and good bye's to some kids from my PSR class and as they left, the kid looked at me and with a big smile thanked me for putting on the retreat. Then, coming from the kid who seemed bored and not interested, let alone ever paid attention to anything we did, completely caught me off guard. He said and I paraphrase:
I really enjoyed the day and what you said in your talk about feeling lost on your path up the mountain. It made me think about the things I'm struggling with on my personal journey. Today really helped me. I'm glad I came.
It's funny how often we try to force things to happen "our" way and stress out about making things work out how we think they should, regardless of how things are going. We strive so hard to make things happen now and make them so great and overcomplicated, only to be humbly reminded that what is supposed to happen will indeed happen, maybe not how we would like it to or when we want to, but it will happen when it is supposed to.
Last spring I was struggling with my job, my relationship with my girlfriend and a thousand and one other things and I had my spiritual director give me the best advice I've ever received about how to live my life. He said:
"Only worry about the next three seconds...It's right in front of you and it's the only thing you can control or need to worry about. The rest will happen as it's meant to happen."
How many times in our lives do we get so worked up over what we're doing at work, at home, with friends, with our significant other, etc. and forget that all we can control is what we do right now, and here in the next few seconds, the rest is out of our control. Just imagine how much more we could do in our lives if we thought that way. How much simpler and more enjoyable our lives would be. Sometimes we need those simple reminders that we can't control everything, but if we let go and live for now we can move mountains and change lives, even our own. In my case it took being ignored by a tween who looked like Harry Potter. Point taken god, thanks!
Until next time...
As we enjoyed a day of fun group activities, energizing songs, powerful witnesses and prayer you could tell that some kids were totally into it and other a bit apprehensive. As I facilitated the activities and even gave a witness I kept being drawn to one kid. A scrawny eighth grader with black rimmed glasses. He kept to himself, avoided eye contact and seemed more into his texting than he was than taking part in the day.
I attempted to start up small talk. When I came to an emotional or moving part of a talk I tried to engage him, but it seemed nothing I did, the special attention, was getting him to budge and I felt defeated.
When it came time for our retreat to end I happened to sit at his table to say my thank you's and good bye's to some kids from my PSR class and as they left, the kid looked at me and with a big smile thanked me for putting on the retreat. Then, coming from the kid who seemed bored and not interested, let alone ever paid attention to anything we did, completely caught me off guard. He said and I paraphrase:
I really enjoyed the day and what you said in your talk about feeling lost on your path up the mountain. It made me think about the things I'm struggling with on my personal journey. Today really helped me. I'm glad I came.
It's funny how often we try to force things to happen "our" way and stress out about making things work out how we think they should, regardless of how things are going. We strive so hard to make things happen now and make them so great and overcomplicated, only to be humbly reminded that what is supposed to happen will indeed happen, maybe not how we would like it to or when we want to, but it will happen when it is supposed to.
Last spring I was struggling with my job, my relationship with my girlfriend and a thousand and one other things and I had my spiritual director give me the best advice I've ever received about how to live my life. He said:
"Only worry about the next three seconds...It's right in front of you and it's the only thing you can control or need to worry about. The rest will happen as it's meant to happen."
How many times in our lives do we get so worked up over what we're doing at work, at home, with friends, with our significant other, etc. and forget that all we can control is what we do right now, and here in the next few seconds, the rest is out of our control. Just imagine how much more we could do in our lives if we thought that way. How much simpler and more enjoyable our lives would be. Sometimes we need those simple reminders that we can't control everything, but if we let go and live for now we can move mountains and change lives, even our own. In my case it took being ignored by a tween who looked like Harry Potter. Point taken god, thanks!
Until next time...
3.01.2012
Truth should come with a hard hat and map
Life today is rough and I'm not talking about my personal life, but life in general.Present day life in 2012. There's a rough reality of everything from the economy to violence on our streets, violence in our schools, to frustrating political leaders, corrupt neighbors and everything in between.
Society seems to have an obsession with seeking out instant "miracle cures" to anxieties and everyday stressors. The common folk of today is in bed with the reality of not knowing what reality is. Teens seek to be adults before their bodies even begin to evolve into adult form yet adults are too scared to be adults, let alone be parents. While every night our news programs tease us, draw us in and hook us for a full hour with stories of sex, violence, crimes and political problems. No wonder we've evolved into the lackluster state of nothingness that is today's society.
I came across an excellent excerpt in a book that I am reading called Hardcore Zen that talks about seeking out Truth but more so reflects our society:
"The world is in deep shit right now. The only thing that can possibly save us from our own self-induced destruction is direct knowledge of the truth. I say that without any reservation at all. Mankind cannot survive unless the truth dawns - from within - in each and every one of us. No political solution, bellicose or peaceful, will ever save us. No law. No pact. No treaty. No war..."
Yet as we can all see the ever so changing landscape of our country and our society there seems to be talk of change, but nothing done or at least no unless there's another four years. As all this unfolds before our eyes like a prime time drama. Shrinks, counselors and bars are at record highs of customers in need of ways to find faith for a better day. Yet we have the Church on a decline. Faith ceases to exist in the lives of the vocal majority. The one place you can actually get a positive message, restore hope and love in your life and learn how to be the change, is no longer the focal point of our lives. Did you know that only about 31 percent of Catholics in the Diocese of Cleveland attend Mass regularly, yet we all cry out for help and claim to hold on to faith in our own lives when it's convenient or we have hit rock bottom? When I began this blog I didn't set out to make it all holy and spiritual yet it just seems to have grown into that. I've never been out spoken of my faith, not even when I was a YM, those people scare me. I am not those people. I will never those people. Yet, the more I see our world the more I see the meaning of faith in our lives.
I don't need another 24 hour news program or a group of "qualified experts" to tell me that our society is falling into a black hole of self inflicted doubt and that our kids are struggling to be heard. Just the other day during a prayer activity with the Jr. High class I teach I came across a whole slew of cries for help. Two of which brought tears to my eyes. The first read "I'm scared that no one loves me" and the other was "I'm skaired about talking to other people I don't usilay talk to." Others read about fitting in, and a few were in regards to being bullied. So aside from the obvious failure of the American educational system and spelling/ grammar classes, it is quite clear that not just in the case of the teens, but in our society we are missing two key pieces: Love and Service. Which happen to be the cornerstone of our faith...Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Muslim, etc.
Brad Warner, the author of Hardcore Zen, later wrote in the chapter that "politicians can't solve the problem of how to find their own asses with two hands and a flashlight, let alone figure out anything else more complex..." I think it's so true in many ways, not just for elected officials, but for all of us who are lost in life and I believe that if it weren't for Christ's teachings I would not be able to figure out anything here on Earth. Instead I'd have my two hands and a flashlight (I'm a hiker so probably my headlamp) attempting to find me arse, or at least trying hard to remove my head from it. I'm sure many would agree...and if you're offended or sitting there disagreeing most likely your head is up there so keep looking, I've got a flashlight.
We attempt, day after day, to seek out Truth and our purpose yet the main worry we should have is living each day like it were our last. Always seeking our adventure and living with a loving heart to serve others. Imagine the difference we would make if everyone lived to love and serve others...the world would be a beautiful place. People will buy self help books, take classes, spend countless dollars on life changing gimmicks, yet we don't consider starting with a simple conversation with the one who loves us the most, God.
This isn't a religious blog nor will I always preach, but what I will always portray in my writing is to always seek adventure and live life and for me there is no better way to accomplish both than by living it the way I was shown, the way we've all been shown. It's been written about, discussed, debated, preached studied and has survived for thousands of years and there's got to be a reason why it's still around after 2,000+ years. Live life and live it with love and a want to serve others in everything you do and nothing will stop you from truth and happiness. Take that, and a mustard seed of faith, and nothing will be impossible for you, that's how we change the world.
Until next time...
Society seems to have an obsession with seeking out instant "miracle cures" to anxieties and everyday stressors. The common folk of today is in bed with the reality of not knowing what reality is. Teens seek to be adults before their bodies even begin to evolve into adult form yet adults are too scared to be adults, let alone be parents. While every night our news programs tease us, draw us in and hook us for a full hour with stories of sex, violence, crimes and political problems. No wonder we've evolved into the lackluster state of nothingness that is today's society.
I came across an excellent excerpt in a book that I am reading called Hardcore Zen that talks about seeking out Truth but more so reflects our society:
"The world is in deep shit right now. The only thing that can possibly save us from our own self-induced destruction is direct knowledge of the truth. I say that without any reservation at all. Mankind cannot survive unless the truth dawns - from within - in each and every one of us. No political solution, bellicose or peaceful, will ever save us. No law. No pact. No treaty. No war..."
Yet as we can all see the ever so changing landscape of our country and our society there seems to be talk of change, but nothing done or at least no unless there's another four years. As all this unfolds before our eyes like a prime time drama. Shrinks, counselors and bars are at record highs of customers in need of ways to find faith for a better day. Yet we have the Church on a decline. Faith ceases to exist in the lives of the vocal majority. The one place you can actually get a positive message, restore hope and love in your life and learn how to be the change, is no longer the focal point of our lives. Did you know that only about 31 percent of Catholics in the Diocese of Cleveland attend Mass regularly, yet we all cry out for help and claim to hold on to faith in our own lives when it's convenient or we have hit rock bottom? When I began this blog I didn't set out to make it all holy and spiritual yet it just seems to have grown into that. I've never been out spoken of my faith, not even when I was a YM, those people scare me. I am not those people. I will never those people. Yet, the more I see our world the more I see the meaning of faith in our lives.
I don't need another 24 hour news program or a group of "qualified experts" to tell me that our society is falling into a black hole of self inflicted doubt and that our kids are struggling to be heard. Just the other day during a prayer activity with the Jr. High class I teach I came across a whole slew of cries for help. Two of which brought tears to my eyes. The first read "I'm scared that no one loves me" and the other was "I'm skaired about talking to other people I don't usilay talk to." Others read about fitting in, and a few were in regards to being bullied. So aside from the obvious failure of the American educational system and spelling/ grammar classes, it is quite clear that not just in the case of the teens, but in our society we are missing two key pieces: Love and Service. Which happen to be the cornerstone of our faith...Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Muslim, etc.
Brad Warner, the author of Hardcore Zen, later wrote in the chapter that "politicians can't solve the problem of how to find their own asses with two hands and a flashlight, let alone figure out anything else more complex..." I think it's so true in many ways, not just for elected officials, but for all of us who are lost in life and I believe that if it weren't for Christ's teachings I would not be able to figure out anything here on Earth. Instead I'd have my two hands and a flashlight (I'm a hiker so probably my headlamp) attempting to find me arse, or at least trying hard to remove my head from it. I'm sure many would agree...and if you're offended or sitting there disagreeing most likely your head is up there so keep looking, I've got a flashlight.
We attempt, day after day, to seek out Truth and our purpose yet the main worry we should have is living each day like it were our last. Always seeking our adventure and living with a loving heart to serve others. Imagine the difference we would make if everyone lived to love and serve others...the world would be a beautiful place. People will buy self help books, take classes, spend countless dollars on life changing gimmicks, yet we don't consider starting with a simple conversation with the one who loves us the most, God.
This isn't a religious blog nor will I always preach, but what I will always portray in my writing is to always seek adventure and live life and for me there is no better way to accomplish both than by living it the way I was shown, the way we've all been shown. It's been written about, discussed, debated, preached studied and has survived for thousands of years and there's got to be a reason why it's still around after 2,000+ years. Live life and live it with love and a want to serve others in everything you do and nothing will stop you from truth and happiness. Take that, and a mustard seed of faith, and nothing will be impossible for you, that's how we change the world.
Until next time...
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