Control the Sail..not the wind
01/24/2010 04:54 a.m.
One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned in life thus far was one taught to me early on through the French words spoken by one of the most influencial persons within my life...my father. Those things in life that are truly great are the very things that probably take the most work in achieving, maintaining, and nurturing. Whether that be the ability to acquire a fulfilling and nurturing relationship with God, another human heart, parenthood, the maintenance or acquisition of a desired career….etc. The idea is that those very things that make an individual "tick" so to speak, are those very things that the human heart and mind truly desire and need. Those "ticks" igniting sparks of elation, contentment, love, bliss, and many times exhilaration…cannot just happen without one's own motivations, determinations, and willingness to aid in "igniting" such. Each spark maybe being a little more difficult to ignite along the way…yet all the more invaluable in achieving. If one truly desires in one's heart to achieve what it is that he or she wishes to accomplish spiritually, romantically, or monetarily…then he or she will be willing to work in accomplishing such without taking that naïve route of self gratification. It is those easy routes in life…those short cuts so to speak…that may leave you at a dead end…….lost. The most difficult route in life to take is the one which enables an individual to truly be honest with themselves…the one which allows an individual to look ahead and determine how motivated and willing they are in his or her ability to travel that difficult inner journey so to speak to achieve what he or she desires whether it be as mentioned spiritually, romantically, or monetarily...etc. The maturity and determination of an individual as I have seen is often tested by how he or she will handle those bumps in the "road"…one's ability to get back on track after a few expected yet disheartening wrong turns. However, one cannot travel on a smooth flat land again so to speak until one has truly given a fair attempt in examining how to avoid and resolve those bumps in the road that may turn up along the way…for a perfect journey is non-existent and inner success is therefore measured by the ability to examine what one will take and learn from those bumps along the way…and through the ability to deal with and not avoid such imperfections as they come. For it is wise to realize that a couple scattered "rocks" may lead to a journey that is perhaps a bit more rocky than desired. Yet when one is able and willing to resolve those inner rocks as they come without avoidance of such; often times driven through annoyance, aggravation, or to be blunt laziness…then that willingness will pay off and that journey can be all the less rocky. Those pleasurable "sparks" as mentioned before that one so desires are then more likely be ignited and maintained. These thoughts are somewhat comparable to that ever so famous "garden" that many have heard of. Anyone can plant a garden and dump a couple of seeds in the ground and say that they want their plant to grow. Your plant in this case being a career, relationship, spiritual connection…etc. Yet the individual who is truly determined in being successful at such takes care of his or her garden, making sure to water it not just sometimes but all the time. Pulling out the weeds that may harm their garden as they come…before the amount of weeds becomes overwhelming. Nourishing the soil and providing the best opportunity for sunlight etc. If one does not "pull out those weeds" so to speak as they come…then that garden will not blossom optimally. So the idea is this. I have learned that all those things in life which I have truly desired… take work. I have learned to be willing to put forth whatever necessary in order to achieve such whether that be through occupational, romantic, or spiritual endeavors. I have learned that whatever achievements whether great or small…are highly beneficial in the grand scheme of things. Yet it is within the acquisition of those greatest accomplishments where more determination, hard work, and motivation on my part were needed...and it is through that hard work where I had learned and am learning the most.The easiest things to achieve and maintain were not as influencial in determining who I am currently as an individual in comparison to those accomplishments achieved through larger bouts of effort. So I guess I can definitely agree with the saying that "what one gets in life is truly reflected by what one is willing to put in." How true…isn't it? Whether one is willing to take the more difficult journey over the "short cut" journey so to speak. Whether one is able to get back on track after a couple wrong turns instead of just turning back. No matter what the accomplishment… no matter how great- how small. If you give a fair shot at achieving whatever it is you wish to accomplish in whichever mentioned domain…you will, and if you feel as though the acquisition of such seems all the more difficult than what once was; realize that perhaps you have just reached a couple bumps in the road….and know that it is how you will deal with and learn from these bumps that will determine how the rest of your journey will be.Remember, focus on "controlling the sail...not the wind." I hope these words once taught to me will be as inspiring and relevant to whoever reads this…as they have been and continue to be for me.