Over the years, I have been a reader of many forums. From my study of philosophy many years ago, one was always taught to dissect an issue and listen to many questions and answers as one ponders the core message of a thought.
As such, I have come to embrace that thinking of many writers who have offered little gems of their own thoughts with meaningful messages.
May I share a few of these nuggets with you so you might ponder life a little deeper?
Martin Luther King has provided a verse in regard to one’s purpose in life.
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’”
I always found this nugget as one I might apply to my own walk; whatever your task in life, one should always strive to do it the very best possible.
“If you light a lamp for someone else, it will also brighten your own path” suggested the Buddha.
Have you ever pondered this thought? When one reaches his hand down to help another, it also encourages and benefits that benefactor; a monetary reward is not required; I am mindful of that lesson of the Good Samaritan and his giving to the beaten and robbed stranger along the road.
“Mankind will never see an end of trouble until lovers of wisdom come to hold political power, or the holders of power become lovers of wisdom” suggested Plato.
Although I suspect that all philosophers themselves might not be as perfect as Plato suggests, some political leaders I have examined from history have not exactly been students of wisdom. Too many boast, lie and disregard the truth too often.
William Wordsworth once proclaimed that “the best portion of a good man’s life, his little nameless unremembered acts, of kindness and of love might certainly enhance one’s life and serve to make the world a better place.”
How often do we see these good deeds of humanity? Do you see them often? Could humanity study this thought and realize a better world through its application?
What are some of the best teachers in life?
Robert Browning Hamilton offered his own conclusion ~
“I walked a mile with Pleasure
She chattered all the way
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say
I walked a mile with Sorrow
And ne’er a word said she
But oh, the things I learned from her
When sorrow walked with me.“
I’ve heard many times over that some of the best lessons in life are learned in those trials of the valley. Through sorrow, one learns to reflect on those difficulties we face as the road narrows.
How do you confront each day as you greet the Phoebe in the Eastern sky? Perhaps you might embrace Thich Nhat Hahn’s simple objective ~
“Waking up this morning, I smile:
Twenty-four brand new hours before me.
I vow to live each moment fully
And to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.”
Do you have such a positive outlook as you awaken and begin to prepare for your day? Do you live each moment of your life fully and search for the goodness in people?
But maybe Alanis Obomsawin’s observations have dampened your thoughts ~
“Only after the last tree has been cut down.
Only after the last river has been poisoned.
Only after the last fish has been caught.
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.”
Some say “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Have you ever seen those occasions where money and greed destroy an individual? The rich get richer on the backs of poor laborers in the fields. Does capitalism corrupt that idea of freedom for all?
And Native Americans too have an equation for living ~
“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”
And Carl Sandburg left us one final thought:
“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.”
I bid you peace and comfort in exploring this grand path of life.
Spend your coin wisely.
The Voices column features opinion pieces submitted by community contributors. The views, opinions and expressions presented in these submissions are solely those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the mission, values or positions of Local News 1.
Local News 1 publishes Voices submissions as submitted and does not edit them for grammar, style or adherence to the organization’s editorial standards. The language, writing style and viewpoints expressed are those of the contributor and are not representative of Local News 1 or its staff.
We welcome respectful op-ed submissions from readers and community members who wish to share their perspectives on issues affecting our region.
