More than a century ago, the philosopher, poet and preacher, Ralph Waldo Emerson, articulated it loud and clear: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared [with] what lies within us.” This enlightened, Harvard graduate could not have spelt it out any better.
In order to find what lies within us, it is important that we tap inside and scratch a little harder. This tapping and scratching requires a consistent and systematic approach, one that needs a balance between effort and surrender.
We should:
1. Learn to love
Normally, this first step should be the easiest. As children, we spend a lot of time being loved, nurtured and cherished. All we do during this peaceful stage is to absorb a lot of love; that is, apart from eating, sleeping and messing our nappies! Therefore, learning to love should come naturally.
2. Begin to hope
As we become toddlers, we get busier and naughtier. We develop most of our instincts. This is when we come across a diverse number of new people and begin to encounter new spaces and explore different environments. This is what I call the 3-D stage because it is at this stage that we begin to get exposed to new perspectives.
3. Keep the faith
We then enter the teenage space. Phew, how tough and rough navigating this terrain can be? Well, for me it was! One truly learns to keep the faith, trusting that a bigger being is out there to carry one through. At this stage, we make choices that have a long-term effect. We also begin to be aware of the spiritual side of life, we crystallise our beliefs.
4. Think
We eventually find our spaces and settle down. Once we straighten out our lives and (hopefully) discover the purpose of life, we apply our minds and not only put our dreams into implementation phase, but also ensure that we live inspiring lives, which ultimately stimulate and motivate others to reach greatness.
5. Reflect
In old-age, how fulfilling it is to look back into a life well-lived? At this point, we are able to gracefully marvel at the wonders and mysteries of life. We sit back and reap the benefits of walking the journey that we initially set before ourselves in the beginning. We enjoy the ocean of milk that overflows before us. We devour the fruit basket that is filled with love, hope and faith.
All this does not unravel easily: commitment, dedication and perseverance are vital requirements in this bitter-sweet journey. Along the way, giving up is an option, we keep on opting to press on as we step into the power and remember what lies behind, as we mould what lies ahead and embrace what lies within!
Talk about life, how I wish it were simple . . . !#nurturing thoughts#
P.s. For my little girl on her
birthday. . too heavy for a child but hey, life waits for no one.
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