“Wisdom comes by disillusionment.” — Santayana
At times, our lives appear to be in a “holding pattern” where we move through the day to day activities without achieving grandiose accomplishments. The word “wandering” comes to mind even possibly a “meandering of sorts,” imposing a shadow of confusing direction as time fleetingly passes. Within those minutes of uncertainty, we continually experience an urgency of having to achieve some goal, or purpose which will sustain our “raison d’etre.” Voltaire’s thought on this was quite simply, “Every man is guilty of all the good he didn’t do.”
Perhaps part of our “wandering” is necessary for many times in our lives, in order for us to evaluate, clarify, comprehend, focus and envision a journey with a greater degree of substance over form. What occupies your thinking, day after day? In order for us to reach our authenticity, we really have to recognize who we are. Spinning our wheels and accomplishing little, often is the norm and not the exception. We’ve all had the experience at one time or another, witnessing the words of Voltaire, ”There are some that only employ words for the purpose of designing their thoughts.” The trick then is discerning consciously when, how or why this happens . . . and for what distinct purpose.
Have you ever asked yourself the simple question . . . my plans, expectations, priorities, purpose or journey just aren’t working right now . . . what might I do to enhance, enrich, embellish, support and infuse someone else’s life? And if you have asked yourself that specific question . . . did you act on it? Will you now?
The quote by Santayana regarding wisdom coming from disillusion, embodies those times of our lives when we become confused, misguided, misdirected and insecure. For some of us, consciousness comes about through angst, anxiety, fear, dispair and hurt. With patience, we infinitesimally embrace enlightenment through a prism of present awareness and begin to integrate the words of Albert Camus, “You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” You have “struck it rich” when your journey brings a golden light to your path, and by your realized authenticity . . . your fellow man. JLR