“A man is never more truthful than when he acknowledges himself a liar.” — Mark Twain
Taking the above quote one step further, do you even recognize consciously that you may be lying . . . to your friends, family, loved ones and most importantly yourself? Whether we wish to admit it or not, we are a product of our decided orientation and environment, blindly taking all the necessary steps to fulfill the dictates of that process. Sometimes with rare exception, we become aware of what our thoughts have procured for our existence and behavior. When we awaken and many know the exact moment this occurred, it is almost “magical.” Yes . . . I’ll use the word magical because as many of us have experienced through this life’s journey, when we comprehend a concept, idea, creative direction etc., the proverbial light bulb is difficult to ignore. It is a moment in which you realize instantly the profound words of Henry David Thoreau . . . “Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.”
You can easily list the examples in your life that reflect a consciousness of … I know, I see and I get it! Personally as a performing artist, the connection with the audience generates a unique exchange/experience every time with no exceptions in different genres. As an educator, it was beyond the expression of words when a child or young adult fully realized a concept or idea . . . yes, it was magical most especially for them, and I was extremely privileged to witness that magic.
Sometimes the catalyst for consciousness arrives in an unusual, unsuspected package. It presents itself like a thunderbolt, a soft silken fiber of light, an unintended suggestion by a confidante, through the still small voice of quiet solitude or something unique to your experience and awareness in a specific moment of your present life. There are no definitive answers for us . . . we all experience this “awakening” differently. How we will spend our days is placed in our hands early on . . . and then the choice becomes ours as the moments pass year after year. Finally, we come to realize certain truths regarding the years that lie ahead are a bit less than those that have passed behind us. How did that happen so quickly? Did we even notice? Do we notice now? It may be in the words of John Wooden that we take a new direction, acknowledging a certain truth that cancels out any previous falsehoods . . . “We can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” Those perfect days remain untapped and lie before you . . . the opportunity rests in the magic of time and your choice. JLR