Everyone knows this is a tough world and society we live in at times. We all know it can be difficult to survive with only one person’s income. We also know how challenging it can be to navigate through life.
Lately, I have had many of these kinds of thoughts. Among them, where can we go for help? How can we improve this? I turn on the news or pull up an article and it’s always the same things. Terror or anger at every turn, the blame game is also a popular topic, and who really knows the truth about anything going on, not only in America but in every part of the world? I don’t know about the rest of the world, but it makes me feel like no one is being helped, no problems are actually being fixed, and everyone thinks arguing and fighting about it is going to change the world, so now we all have to basically survive this next chapter in our lives on top of everything else we are already enduring, which leaves me to one problem: I don’t want to survive life. I want to live it.
How many of us are surviving? How many of us worry about the daily stresses of working paycheck to paycheck, unable to follow our passions or dreams because we are tied down because of someone else, or something else? How many people just accept things as they are, because that’s how things are rather than question them? I see so many people just go with the flow, forgetting they have their own mind own opinions. This makes me sad sometimes, because thinking for yourself and living for yourself, is a beautiful thing! Going with the flow of things, versus standing up and living what you actually feel are two very different things. Survival, or living? Living does require more action, which can be hard for some people, and also more rewarding.
It takes action to have a reaction. Isn’t that basic science? More than that, it takes smart action. When I act in anger or rage, I always regret it. I see that happening with others in my life as well. People being so mad losing their tempers making things so much worse. However, if they had just waited until they were calm, made a rational decision after trying to see and understand the other side, then act accordingly, things would be different. How about acting out of patience, understanding, or love? Think of how amazing that would be if we reacted that way!
There is more to life than surviving I have learned. There is living, and being alive. A friend of mine told me an awesome quote she heard. Unfortunately, I have no idea who the original person was that said this, but it applies to what I am trying to say. “Don’t ask what the world needs; ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who come alive.” What a beautiful thought! The problem is there are other voices splashed across our world filling our minds and emotions with hurtful words and painful situations.
Liars will always try to silence the honest. The “wrong” folks will always try to either run from or destroy the “right.” It’s a never-ending cycle, which is why we can’t give up; we can’t give in because too long the hatred has thrived.
One thing I have learned over the years is life is a plight. And while each daily battle might end, the war will still rage on. Too long we have stood in the shadows letting the anger destroy us. To end this madness, we must work together. Our swords of love are sharper than any blade, and our shields of truth are more durable than their hate. Looking out for one another is the only way we overcome the anger, bitterness, and rage consuming this world in fire. By caring for each other without hesitation or condition, we can unite together and stop the fires of hate from destroying our lives, and our humanity.
By remembering we are alive, we are the compass of our own life, and remembering to enjoy the wonderful things around us, while loving and reaching out to those around us, uniting as one family on planet earth, we can then make a real difference and force in this world for good. I know it’s hard. But just think what would happen if people stopped listening to the madness of the world and started listening to the enlightenment of their hearts or souls instead? We are all connected. Here I am at my computer, while others are across the oceans, maybe in the woods or other cities, but standing on the same earth. We are one family, maybe we should remember to be alive and unite as one. Let’s stop surviving, and start living.
What do you think?
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Well said, Laura. I am glad that I learned at an early age to act instead of react. When our behavior is in reaction to what someone else says or does we are letting others control what we do. If we are in control we can return hate with love, anger with reason and serenity. We can choose to be happy no matter what the circumstances of our lives. When Christ taught “love your enemy, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who despitefully use you”, he was teaching strength, not weakness. I feel sorry for those who think they have to get even. Strength is not in striking back; it is in rising above.