What are we really afraid of? There are so many hate and scare tactic emails today that one has to wonder if the next war will be fought in cyberspace.
It's worth revisiting some of the great, compassionate minds of the past. Like the 26th U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt when he delivered this speech.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt (American 26th US President (1901-09), 1858-1919)
Simply by studying these great men and women we can take from their example things that help us improve our thinking and the way we relate to the world.
It may take some time to grasp and comprehend the significance of their words, or even begin to see how we can better our lives by applying the philosophy behind them.
In the words of the famous basketball coach and author, John Wooden, "Five years from now, you’re the same person except for the people you’ve met and the books you’ve read." is a reflection of our capacity to change and understand others.
When first starting down that 'Road Less Travelled' (the first book by Dr. M. Scott Peck) existing ways of being, doing and relating will be challenged. Time however has a way of assisting in the process. Tolerance of our old ways will gradually bring about changes that lead to a much higher consciousness and with that comes a shift in conscience.
The attitude of drifting through life becomes less and less tolerable and as conscious awareness grows much more is revealed. This is where the line in the sand is drawn. Just as the the expression "thoughts become things" says it is our thoughts that create our reality.
John White, author, singer/songwriter and a man of many other talents expresses in his work "No Bars Hold', the many things that hold us prisoner. Later he adds the encouragement that "you can be free right where you are.."! It is simply a choice.
As the great prayer for Serenity asks of God.
"Grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change those I can and the wisdom to know the difference."
In seeing others and ourselves I'm reminded of the the words of one of the greatest men of the nineteenth century, the 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln, when he said "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better."
Our thoughts and words create not only our own reality, but also the reality of others. Lincoln,obviously thought very deeply before speaking then did so with an economy of words. His humility and vision is summed up very well in this quote.
"I don't know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be."
I hope that your experience is one of seeing and growing, the best way to see further is after all by standing on the shoulders of giants.
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