“The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.” —- H. D. Thoreau
We have learned in sometimes the most challenging ways, that this life’s journey is a process in which we reach various plateaus completely alone, or in conjunction with our fellow man. There are those who wish to traverse this journey by and for themselves, which sometimes is possible but not always probable. We find ourselves in situations, relationships, in both personal and professional arenas that demand our ability to work with each other or in groups both large and small, using skill sets which enhance the experience for everyone involved. As an educator, I was privileged to work with many groups of students on various levels in both an academic and performance environment. The rewards were palpable in both genres for different reasons, and the continuing thread that was present can be found in these words of H. D. Thoreau . . . “Dreams are the touchstones of our character.” It was always an amazing experience to witness how these young people adapted to various circumstances that challenged their very essence, and through perseverance, determination, desire, focus and hard work . . . they were able to succeed and discover what is possible.
As the years pass, we become astutely aware of the continuing change in everything that affects our existence. What was once no longer exists and we are forced to adapt to circumstances that for the most part, are beyond our control. Once we gain a semblance of stability, things change again, almost imperceptibly, which adds an element of impermanence in our lives only to understand this will continue without abatement. Thich Nhat Hanh reflects upon this in another way, “We think that impermanence makes us suffer. It is not impermanence that makes us suffer. What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not.” Change is inevitable, our response to that change can precipitate an inordinate amount of instability to each of us, contingent upon how we perceive it.
What we experience in this moment from what we thought was a permanent way of life is in constant flux. We view change in our families, friends, loved ones, colleagues, associates, business partners, and acquaintances as somewhat disconcerting even alarming. Technologically, advances over the past decades have been enormous and will continue. AI/Artificial Intelligence via robots, electronic devices that respond to vocal commands in our homes, businesses and the like, drones etc., are part/parcel of an accepted mode of change, convenience, advancement, and scientific progress via Silicon Valley and others. Are we ready for these pronounced changes? It really doesn’t make any difference, does it? What does make a difference is knowing who you are, why you are here and where you are going . . . consciously. Becoming apprehensive of the continuing scientific advancement in technology is inevitable as well as change in our fellow man . . . to a point. Acceptance of what is . . . frees each of us via this quote from Eric Butterworth, “We are human magnets. We draw to us the things, people and circumstances that match our thinking.” From our very beginning within each of us exists a fundamental awareness, and Butterworth continues with this thought as well, “Wherever we are in our life is because of where we are in consciousness. Our belief system creates our reality.” What have you or will you create from this moment forward . . . consciously? JLR