Throughout the day it's difficult to keep our heads up and see the beauty of life, even if it's right in front of us. All day long we think only about what we must accomplish in that second and how fast we can get it done, so that we can move on to the next rather trivial task. Of course we realize that it's all necessary to reach our bigger and more important goals, but sometimes we can get caught up in them. I know I do.
Everyday, I feel, well I won't called it stressed, more like anxious, simply because generally I have about a billion things to do. I have to remember what meeting is today, what stuff to bring for practice, what homework I didn't do last night. It can honestly become overwhelming at times. Especially when something happens that I hadn't anticipated and does not fit neatly into my carefully construed plans.
I'm sure no one sincerely wants to end up a basket case, but sometimes it happens. Living in a world that conveys this idea of doing the most we can, the fastest we can do it does not leave much room for 'taking it slow.' We have to find time, make time.
In theory, sure, this sounds ideal -creating time for ourselves! Wow, what a concept! But it's not that simple. It should be, but it's not.
I admit I am far from grasping this 'making time' idea, but I guess it starts with sacrificing other areas, to benefit yourself in the long run.
I've realized that I can't do everything by myself, that I will always need help, no matter what I'm faced with. Not only that, but I should welcome it with open arms.
Sometimes I am so caught up in things that don't matter enough, that I neglect what does. I forget that there are people who understand and can and are willing to sympathize.
Life was never meant to be easy, but that's no excuse to not be joyful and thankful of every moment.
"Each day is a gift from God, that's why it's called the present".
:)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tired...
This life is so hard. It seems no matter how we decide to live it, nothing comes easily; every action requires some sort of effort exerted and consequences are always included in the package.
Serving. So much easier said than done. I suppose that's a given, though. Yet, after some thought, one might reflect that selfishness takes quite a toll also. Imagine it. There is no way for a person to be so dishonorable, without contributing some sort of effort. For either path then, good or bad, one must sacrifice something. So why do so many choose the wrong one?
I think it may be because doing good appears to produce disadvantages that weigh out any benefits. We seem to be naturally selfish, and most desire to keep to our innate philosophies.
As humans, we thrive on gratitude. We hope to gain praise from great accomplishments, and recognition for good deeds. Sometimes I wonder whether, at times, our hospitality and courtesy is only driven by our desire to be gratified, needed even. We take comfort in the fact that others could not achieve certain goals without our assistance, that our existence allows others to survive also. Of course, not many think of it that way, but surely, it's true.
Think about those times when you decide to serve someone else, instead of yourself for a change. Afterwards, don't you feel great about yourself? Doesn't it make you feel giddy, and, you must admit, you may feel a bit smug. Of course, this isn't revealed on the outside, but inside you think, "I just did something great." Now think about how this situation would make you feel if the one you served showed absolutely no gratitude toward you, nor acknowledged your feat? Would this cause your sudden fire of pride to extinguish, as soon as it came? Does this mean that we are wholeheartedly influenced by our resulting reward?
Isn't it horrible to think of it that way? I know, jeez you'd think I was trying to plunge you into a pit of despair, but honestly, what motivates our want to help?
It should be only one thing. Yet we are neglectful in this simplicity, because of our blindness. How sad.
Added: I actually found a really appropriate quote for this post, and by chance too! :)
The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.
- Samuel Johnson
Serving. So much easier said than done. I suppose that's a given, though. Yet, after some thought, one might reflect that selfishness takes quite a toll also. Imagine it. There is no way for a person to be so dishonorable, without contributing some sort of effort. For either path then, good or bad, one must sacrifice something. So why do so many choose the wrong one?
I think it may be because doing good appears to produce disadvantages that weigh out any benefits. We seem to be naturally selfish, and most desire to keep to our innate philosophies.
As humans, we thrive on gratitude. We hope to gain praise from great accomplishments, and recognition for good deeds. Sometimes I wonder whether, at times, our hospitality and courtesy is only driven by our desire to be gratified, needed even. We take comfort in the fact that others could not achieve certain goals without our assistance, that our existence allows others to survive also. Of course, not many think of it that way, but surely, it's true.
Think about those times when you decide to serve someone else, instead of yourself for a change. Afterwards, don't you feel great about yourself? Doesn't it make you feel giddy, and, you must admit, you may feel a bit smug. Of course, this isn't revealed on the outside, but inside you think, "I just did something great." Now think about how this situation would make you feel if the one you served showed absolutely no gratitude toward you, nor acknowledged your feat? Would this cause your sudden fire of pride to extinguish, as soon as it came? Does this mean that we are wholeheartedly influenced by our resulting reward?
Isn't it horrible to think of it that way? I know, jeez you'd think I was trying to plunge you into a pit of despair, but honestly, what motivates our want to help?
It should be only one thing. Yet we are neglectful in this simplicity, because of our blindness. How sad.
Added: I actually found a really appropriate quote for this post, and by chance too! :)
The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.
- Samuel Johnson
Monday, January 19, 2009
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