"Blessed are those who believe..."

"Look Well to This Day"

Look well to this day,

For it and it alone is life.

In its brief course

Lie all the essence of your existence:

The Glory of Growth
The Satisfaction of Achievement
The Splendor of Beauty

For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is but a vision.
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Anonymous, 50 B.C.

Alone or lonely?

I sometimes ponder over the meaning of being either "alone" or "lonely"?  I think you have to rule out any aspect of the physical.  We've all been in situations where we've been surrounded by people but felt alone.  I'm also sure many of us have been physically isolated but felt content in our surroundings.  I think the key difference is "connection".  When we feel lonely, we feel a disconnection that isolates us from the world around us.  Conversely, when we're connected, through our thoughts, meditations and prayers, we have a sense of self that accompanies us and binds us to everything.   Being lonely is a temporary loss of spiritual connection.  I've been lonely before and the feeling of emptiness can be overwhelming.  Rediscovering that connection can sometimes feel like an impossibility.  But rest assured, that connection is always there.  So when you feel lonely, know that you are not alone...

Where are you going?

Life's possibilites are endless....

Time...

So what is it with getting old that makes us think of our own mortality?  Is it because our bodies don't perform as they did in our teens and 20s?  Is it because we have so little in common with those younger, "cooler", than us?  Or is it that we're losing parents, siblings and friends to time and circumstance?  Perhaps all of the above. I'm 49 years old and I find my mind entertains more thoughts on my legacy than on my mission. I don't know if I harbor the same thoughts and feelings as my peers but I've found that lately the farther I move through life the more my personal compass seems to be askewed.  I think less of ambition and more of spiritual awakening. I pray more and wish less. I look for meaning rather than results. I think of those that have crossed my path and influenced my life and I wish I could reach out to all of them to say "thank you".  I don't think there's a "right" or "wrong" path in our life's journey.  I think the key is realizing we're ON a journey.  I pray I have the vision to realize that and the gratitude to enjoy it. 
 

Courage

This isn't going to be a long diatribe on the definition of courage.  Just something to consider..... Being able to stand by a decision you know to be right when nearly everyone around you thinks you're wrong.  May not be the same as standing in the line of fire or jumping with a bungee cord, but it certainly tests your fortitude.

More to follow....

For what purpose?

It’s disheartening to note that as the years go by that the measure of success, in our professional lives, comes not so much from actual accomplishment but from the illusion of accomplishment. I suppose I lived under the illusion that if one did their job and did it well, the byproduct of such efforts would include modest recognition and steady advancement. I see now that isn’t the case.

I struggle in my faith to remain steadfast in doing what’s right for mankind, placing others above me for a greater good, only to realize that, from a career standpoint, it’s really a path to failure. I’m dismayed by the apparent ignorance of our leaders who seem to be easily distracted and amazed by the new, shiny object. These so-called “deliverables”, that have no intrinsic value, that serve no purpose other than to draw attention, are what determines success or failure in the eyes of those that can significantly influence the life span of our careers.

Performance seems to have taken a back seat. I see, at least in my professional world, that those people who can spin a good story are viewed by their leaders as key contributors to the organization. When I sit in meetings and listen to the self-serving monologues, all that comes to mind is “.. a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Thank you, William Shakespeare. The ability to create a team, nurture their skills, provide guidance and leadership that ultimately leads to the success of the team is by no means essential in today’s world. Standing before your superiors and praising yourself for all that you’ve accomplished seems to be the true path to success.

I guess my choices are simple. Choose to neglect those around me and pursue the course that best serves my selfish ambitions or continue what I’ve been doing, by accepting the personal gratification that comes with serving others even if it means the possible ruin of my professional life. I’m not sure where life is taking me. I trust in God to lead me and provide for me. Whatever the future holds, I just pray for the strength and the courage to endure.