To better illustrate the complexity of this, perhaps, far-fetched idea, I have taken the liberty of fragmenting it into six more simpler and more specific sub-ideas: look backward, look beside you, look around you, look forward, look up, and never look down.
First, look backward. I have realized, both in my own life as well as in the lives of others, that we often lose sight of ,or forget, why it is that we are doing whatever it is that we are doing; why it is that we wanted to be whatever it is that we have become or are in the process of becoming; or why it is that being happy and joyful and full of life is not a natural occurance, but instead is something that we sometimes have to jot down on our daily "to-do lists". Look backward for a moment to your childhood. (As I stated earlier, you need to use other senses or skills to perform these tasks: this is a perfect example seeing how you cannot use your physical eyes to look back on your childhood, but rather, your mind's eyes, your nose's memory, your ears' recollections, etc.) Think of and remember those times when someone asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up: some of us wanted to be doctors; others, a movie star; and some may have even wanted to be like the Neverland boys and stay kids forever (and with how childish I have witnessed some people acting while well into their adult-years, I think that they have successfully fulfilled their dreams). When we wanted to be those things, what stood in our way? Was there, in our minds, anything that would stop us from becoming great, famous, rich, or significant? No, there wasn't. Think of and remember when we were able to find so much happiness in something as simple as playing make believe, or giving mother-like care to a new, plastic doll, or having your grandpa slip you a dollar bill just for the heck of it. Why was there no barrier between us and happiness, laughter, and contentment. Some might argue that when we were kids, life was simpler: we did not have to worry about taxes, car payments, insurance bills, grocery shopping, unemployment, etc. While that statement may be true...[we did not have to worry about those things]; we did, however, have to worry about other things. We had to worry about going into battle along-side our GI Joes. We had to worry about making sure the tea was the perfect temperature for when company showed up for our tea-parties. We had to worry about defeating dragons, and plundering pirate ships, and finding our way through treacherous caves filled with monsters and creatures of every kind. Now, I'm not sure about you, but I'd rather battle my weekly grocery shopping list than take on a fire-breathing dragon.
My point in all of this is that when we look backward, we are able to remember our fearlessness, our passions, our dreams and our aspirations. We remind ourselves, especially in times of present-doubt and confusion, how complicated we continue to make life because of constant worrying about things that are miniscule and unimportant. We remind ourselves how great we thought we were, thus forming deep within us a greater desire to become the great person that we know we should be.
First, you must look backward.
Next, look beside you. The famous American-born poet, T.S. Eliot, once stated that, "Those who trust us, educate us." How true that statement should ring to our ears! Those who trust us, educate us! Those who we trust, educate us! Sometimes I wonder why it is that people do not believe in angels, or that they pray everyday to see one or to have one drop down from some heavenly portal somewhere...when really, they are all around us. Families, friends, mentors, and other close relatives truly are evidence of the ministering of angels in everyday life. As we continue along this, often 'perfidious' journey called "life", we must realize that we cannot do it all by ourselves. Martin Luther King Jr., and possibly even Gandhi's efforts would have been short-coming and, perhaps, in vain were it not for their closest followers supporting them, correcting them, and pushing them forward each time they may have wanted to quit. Many people do not know that President Roosevelt would not have been the inspiring leader that he was if it were not for his strong-willed wife, Eleanor, standing beside him. My point is that even the greatest figures in human history remembered to look beside them for help, for support, and for life-changing instruction. Those who trust us, CAN and WILL educate us: but only if we allow them to, by going to them for help or by following their good examples or by seeking their advice (in case you did not notice, looking beside you requires action: going, following, seeking, etc.)
Second, you must look beside you.
Next, look around you. Life is wonderful! What an amazing time to be alive! Sometimes, I feel that we, as human beings, allow the "cons" of everyday life to heavily outweigh the "pros"; we allow the "good" to be overtaken by the "bad"; and we allow our confidence and excitement to "hinder" rather than to "grow". The news and other sources of media which depict daily and current events are prime examples: there is a 13 to 1 ratio that bad news "sells" more than good news (for ever one story about some good deed or successful venture, there is on average thirteen stories about financial crisis, war, and murder) We are often so caught up with worrying about the future that we forget to enjoy the present. One all-important issue when attempting to look around you is the idea of serving, helping, and uplifting others. When we focus our efforts toward other people, their lives, and their problems, it is suddenly and very clearly made known to us just how amazing our lives really are! We must do all that we can to look around us, find the good in everything that we see (even if it is a seemingly impossible task or a difficult time in life) and we must never, ever, ever...let worry, fear, and doubt dictate what it is that we choose to do.
Third, you must look around you.
Next, look forward. It is a rather true statement to say that it is impossible for us to forsee what events may take place in our future. I also just concluded the last section about looking around you with the idea that we should not be worrying about the future. However, I feel that it is safe to say that although we cannot see or know what will happen, even three seconds from now, we can still make plans, set goals, and prepare ourselves for whatever may come. There is an absolute difference between 1).being worried or fearful of what lies ahead of us and 2).being prepared or hopeful of what lies ahead of us. Abraham Lincoln once said that "The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time." Looking forward by making goals and deciding now what type of life we would like to live and what type of person we would like to be automatically presses deep within us a positive attitude, a hopeful outlook, and the amazing ability to take on any trial, difficult task, or emotional storm that life may decide to bring upon us; and, I might add, that we will not only be able to "take on" each of those circumstances, but we will take them on and be successful, triumphant, and victorious with regards to such endeavors. Remember that the future is what you make it to be, so make it the best one that you can possibly imagine.
Fourth, you must look forward.
Next, look up. To better illustrate this point, I share with you this story told by a man named Carl(briefly edited to be more applicable to the matter at hand):
At the end of a particularly tiring day, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” I left the office and entered the elevator. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor. The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” But the man had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!”
Whether you believe in God or not, this can still apply to how we should live our lives. The famous phrase, "Keep your chin up!" very clearly presents the idea of having a positive attitude even after striking out, after losing your job, or even after a close relative dies. However, since I know that there is a God and I have been a witness and practitioner of looking up to Him for help, guidance, and strength, I would strongly encourage everyone, young and old, to do the same. We must continually do all that we can, give our best effort, and never give up; but, there comes a time when we must realize that we cannot do it alone. There comes a time when we must "surrender" ourselves and our abilities and 'pass the baton' on to the Lord. Being humble does not mean that you are weak; if anything, it means just the opposite in that you understand the increase of strength and knowledge that it can and will bring into your life.
Fifth, you must look up.
Lastly, never look down. One of the most simple, yet most inspirational quotes that I feel has ever been recorded was that of Winston Churchill when he, through a thick English accent, stated many years ago: "Never, never, never, never give up!" There is an immeasurable amount of strength and character in someone that, regardless of what horrific challenge may present its self, will never give up. Think of people that you know who yield that strength and apply that type of character to their lives. You feel inspired to be around them. They unconsciously help others to find that same strength within themselves. Now, think of a person, or a situation (perhaps even in your own life) when there was no determination to finish "on top" and refuse to give up. How sad it is to see marriages fall apart, athletes quit, and people completely 'throwing in the towel' by choosing to end their own lives. Life is and will continue to be hard, but we have within us the ability and the privilege of choosing to act and not be acted upon, and to take charge of our lives instead of letting the circumstances choose for us how our lives will end up. George Bernard Shaw very insightfully stated that "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them." We must never give up.
Sixth, you must never look down.
If there is one thing that I have had engrained in my mind lately, it would be this simple phrase: "look...and learn." I hope that after reading this, it, too, will be deeply engrained in your minds and that you will choose to act upon those feelings in a positive way.
Here's to a joyful and hope-filled life.
Cheers,
I love you. The end.
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