This morning I participated in a walk to cure Juvenile Diabetes at our daughters’ school. I didn’t want to go. I had work to do. Two-hours standing outside encouraging 2nd and 3rd graders to keep walking around a big field wasn’t going to be very productive. I needed to finish some projects. I needed to make ends meet. Because that’s the most important thing.
I’m an idiot.
20 years ago, my life changed in a moment of clarity when I had a choice to throw everything I knew about the world up in the air and let go of it. To let go of control and put my faith in a power greater than myself. Stop, before you think I’m going to lecture you on God, God isn’t what I’m talking about. Not directly, anyway. I’m talking about life and how it flows around you whether you’re here or not. Whether you try to control it or not. Whether or not you have plans, dreams and goals.
Life has a way of moving around you like a river moves past a bar of sediment. It just doesn’t really care whether you’re there. But we get so swept up in our immediate perspective of things that all we seem to care about are the things we’re most closely aligned to. The stuff right in front of us. It’s a terrible perspective. Very small. And yet in this world we create for ourselves, we think we’re Kings and Gods of our own destiny. What a fucking joke. Look, I know you probably don’t understand what I’m saying here – and that’s ok. You just haven’t had your moment of clarity yet. You will though, even though you may not recognize it because of your perspective. It’s ironic. For me to get a proper perspective on things, I had to be knocked to my knees. Literally. You don’t have to be that stupid. Or maybe you do. It’s different for all of us.
The important thing is to recognize that what you think is really important right this minute – probably isn’t. So go ahead and tweet your ass off about business and advancing your expertise and the expertise of others who will reciprocate and help grow your own credibility in your mind and in the minds of others who also live in these limited life perspectives. But none of that matters. Sure, you might make more money or win awards and accolades for your awesomeness. But then what? A great college for your kids? That new BMW? Ok, then what? It’s all a trap, you see? A rodent’s wheel that we run on thinking we’re doing something even though the scenery doesn’t change. The fact that we’re running at all means we’re doing something. Going somewhere. Climbing a socio-economic staircase. Except, it’s an illusion. A very limited perspective.
I’m not saying you’re a bad person or that you need to change your life. You’ve just fallen into the same trap as everyone else. I do it too. Almost daily. Especially when I surround myself with others who think the exact same way about what is important in life. I think the trick is to accept that you’re just not as important as you think you are. That the world will go on just fine without you. And then look for a way to fit in on a larger scale. To actually do something important with your time. Attending the Diabetes Walk today was a very good thing for my perspective. Funny how that works.
By the way, the kids did great today. And I’m a better person for being out there with them to recognize that in their limited perspectives of life, they did something really important. Because, well, they did.
***
Steve Knight
Apr 15, 2011
Marilyn Carpenter
Apr 15, 2011
It’s amazing how much I track with you and how often. On Wednesday evening, my eleven yr. old daughter took a spill off her RibStick and broke her wrist. We were in the emergency room for 5 hours – where, when we finally learned that yes, indeed it was broken – I started texting a client who had booked me for a speaking gig the next day at his Marketing Summit Conference – 125 attendees. (Husband is in China as all this happens). Client’s first text back to my cancel notice was – “April fools?” Some time ago – I would have really flipped out. But I didn’t. And I think it’s just as you say – you have to have a higher awareness that life is happening whether you are there or not. Everything was going to work out. There was a last minute speaker who stepped up, I gave away a bunch of my books for free, and the event was a success. There isn’t even a second thought in my mind about could it have been better with me there, or did I miss an opportunity to progress my work. This is the part I love. There is no stress, no second guessing about where I needed to be. My daughter had her arm reset today, under sedation and she is doing great – all tucked away in my bed watching a video while I type from my home office. My heart is at peace and all is well. Thanks, Jim, for the awareness and conversation starter!
Kat Jaibur
Apr 15, 2011
“The important thing is to recognize that what you think is really important right this minute – probably isn’t.” Amen.In the last two weeks, I can’t count how many times I veered “off course” at the last minute to do something I didn’t think I had time for. That included taking in a house guest, having dinner with in-laws, watching newlyweds open their gifts, bringing my mother to the doctor’s (couldn’t it wait until after my trip?!) and walking on the beach. But every single one of these made someone feel loved and enriched my soul. Usually, it’s when we get out of our own way that the greatest gifts can come in. As you said, you showing up for those kids was a great gift to them, as well as to yourself. I love that you get it.
Bob Aycock
Apr 15, 2011
jp
Apr 15, 2011
Suzanne Vara
Apr 16, 2011
JimI love ya and I am really hearing and actually living what you are saying here. However, did get caught up on one point – the point about our childrens’ college. I know I lost the point there and I apologize for that. When we are in the fight for our lives whether that be an addiction or some sort of personal struggle/growth we have that moment of clarity. The thing is it slaps you in the face, it stops you in your tracks and has such an impact (well if you let it I suppose). It is a long journey that culminates in what almost feels so anti-climatic as this is happening but yet everyone else is going on with their every day/minute life but us, we are in this place that only we are. You always give us the best of you and bring out the best in us.
M.M. McDermott
Apr 18, 2011
caseybowers
Apr 18, 2011
My novel – Minor King
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