Posts Tagged: beyond

The Journey Beyond — No Comments
17
Jun 10

Too Far To Turn Back

Howdy.  It’s me again… I survived full disclosure from the last blog. 

The only thing that I am concerned about is if any friends of mine who read the blog wondered if I thought they were boring.  Not at all.  It’s my friends who don’t read my blog who are boring.

But opening up about something that makes me look bad isn’t something I typically do.  But I’m on a journey beyond where I am.  I know that it seems odd to some who read this blog… especially people who know me.  Actually, I have a great life, I am very fulfilled and by the standards of many people pretty successful.

How well you are doing isn’t the proper measuring rod.  It is how much are you capable of?  And how much more there is that you are letting slip through your fingers? 

I am determined not to take the easy way.  I have had several people say that they admired the fact that I am writing a blog (especially writing two entries a week).  I am very appreciative and thankful for their kind words.  But if there is something a person is called to do (and I truly believe I am to write this blog) then there can be no other option but do it. 

The compelling quiet whisper that invaded my heart and head is relentless in its firm gentle way.  It is the quiet whisper that is calling me to venture beyond my comfortable world into the risky business of the unknown.

So I continue to press on… and let me say… it has made life much more of an adventure.   The final verses of Robert Frost’s Road Less Traveled are right on.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I– 
I took the one less traveled by, 
And that has made all the difference.
…Robert Frost

 

Traveling the path into the unknown and unfamiliar is risky, time consuming and demands investment.  It takes a lot of effort to start and effort to maintain momentum, but the ongoing investment is eventually transformed into passion.

“At some point, turning back is not an option.”

 

When is the last time you tried something for the first time?  Is there something stirring from within that demands attention? 

Hopefully this little blog is challenging you to lean in closely to the voice trying to get your attention.  Life is too short to ignore the “what if”. 

I am sorry if I am sounding a little preachy… I don’t mean to be.  I do want to encourage.  

What is the one small thing that you think you are to do that you’re not doing?  Is there a call you need to make, letter to write, a person you need to forgive, to let go of the failure you hang on too, read that book, go to that church, write that song, or release the rock that you have carried for too long.

For me it was to take that first step beyond the safe wall of self and write this blog.  Thank God I have.

See you Monday

The Journey Beyond — No Comments
20
May 10

Back to the Mountain

Howdy.

Did you notice that my writing accent took on a distinct down home twang since we’re back on the trail?

Side Note: No need to say it… weird, I know… you just have to bear with me.

I have been at this blog thing for five months.  It has been a very interesting journey so far, but not easy.  I have heard that anything substantive and worth doing isn’t easy.  I tend to agree.

That’s one of the reasons I feel pretty good about writing this blog.  It’s sure not because I feel I have set the standard for literary excellence.  But it’s because historically I have tended to be pretty lazy and take the easier way.  It’s sad to say and embarrassing to admit it, but it’s true.

That’s one of the things that I finally had to face up to.  Lies and excuses will keep you trapped in the purgatory of mediocrity.  I was going to hell of mediocrity but pain produces action.  Purgatory is a state of nothingness.  You’re not good enough to experience the excitement of risk and joy of success, but you’re good enough to avoid the pain of failure.  Like I said… nothingness.

I really can’t say what has stirred over the past few years but thank God something has.  Now you can get a glimpse of why this blog was a big step.

I pray (don’t worry, I’m not going to get all churchy on you) that something I share may pierce the shell that either protects you from outside things, or traps you from getting out.

Once again listen to the voice beyond the wall (Blog # 1 & 2) calling you to something more.

“Men go out into the void spaces of the world for various reasons.  Some are actuated by love of adventure, some have the keen thirst for scientific knowledge, and others again are drawn away from the trodden path by the lure of little voices, the mysterious fascination of the unknown.”

-          Ernest Shackleton, Explorer (1874-1922)

Side Note: If you have never heard of Ernest Shackleton I encourage you to read the book Endurance.  It is an absolutely amazing true story and of courage, perseverance and heroism.

You cannot have discovery unless you have the unknown.  Yes the unknown can scare the hell out of you.  Mediocrity is the home of the known.  No risk, no fear, no discomfort, no life.

That’s the beauty of listening for the siren call.  Hearing the call captures the imagination and the fear of looking bad or fear of failure is overwhelmed by the fear of losing out on something great.

Listen… Do you hear it?  I do, what a joy.

See you Monday

The Journey Beyond — 3 Comments
12
Feb 10

The Big Question

I had planned to write something else today but a comment made by Kathy raised some important insights that deserve a little more attention.

Side Note: I bet some of you are expecting me to provide Kathy’s comment here.  I’m not going to pamper your pansy butts.  No way.  You’ve got to look it up yourself.  I want to keep you fit to continue the journey.

To read Kathy’s comment all you have to do is move your curser over to the right of the blog page to Recent Comments.  Then with just a little double click on “The Wall” next Kathy’s name you’ll have it.

Now to comment on what Kathy said… I think Kathy is right.  New Yorkers are rude and egocentric.

Side Note Again: If your head is tilted wondering what in the world I am writing it means that you have read Kathy’s comment.  Kudos to you.

If your head wasn’t twisting then it means that you haven’t read the comment because you didn’t know any better.

So… read the comment.  The rest of us are going to keep moving and you will need to catch up with us.

Side note to the side note: If you happen to be a New Yorker don’t be offended.  I really really like New York and New Yorkers.  I figured you had thick enough skin to help me jab my pansy butt friends.

Okay, now to the blog.

You’re right Kathy.  It’s sad but true, there are too few Myrties in the world.  And you are also right in that people have to discover for themselves that there is always more to life beyond where they currently are.

It’s hurtful to see those we love living below the joys available and we feel impotent as to how to help.

The big question is WHY?  Why are there so few Myrties?

I think there are several reasons and some too complex to adequately address and maybe futile to explore.  But I will give it a go with a couple of thoughts to stimulate thinking.

From birth we are being programmed.  Society bombards us from birth that our adequacy and meaning is centered around a deceptive trio of “A’s” -  Accomplishment, Attainment, and Approval.

Side Note: Let’s be clear… there is nothing wrong with having great accomplishments, attaining wonderful unique things and having people’s approval.

The issue is believing the lie that these things determine our worth or meaning.

Those of you who have been reading this blog from the beginning know that I struggled with the need of approval.  I can assure you that pursuing any or all of the three “A’s” leads to a self imposed bondage.  If the “A’s” are your pursuit you are never free.  Any of you reading this blog who have struggled with any of the three “A’s” know how burdensome it can be.

But if we are paying attention, there is a voice calling us to better things (blog # 2).  This voice from around the corner is a voice of freedom.  This journey I have embarked upon is very liberating.

I believe to the core of my being that we all live so far below what God wants for us and has for us in this life.  There is more depth, breadth, and height and especially freedom to life

How do we become free and in turn help those stuck in the hole?  We must live a life that listens for the voice from around the corner that beckons us to something more.  We must be willing to take a risk and step out.

I would like to know why you think there are so few Myrties.  Any thoughts?

(Some of you may be wondering, Myrtie who?  I introduced Myrtie in the last blog entitled Over the Hill.)

Talk with you early next week.

Ciao