Final Thoughts

As I reflect over the past few months and all that I have read and learned a few things stand out in my mind that i would like to share.

The first is that one can never assume they know a person from first glance.  People's life story are complicated, filled with unknown reason and influenced by not only those around them by society in general.  One can not know the hidden potential that lies dormant in those we see at the grocery store or at the gas pump.  No one knows the the joys or the sadness of another by a mere glance.  It when we go out of our way to lovingly serve and help another that we begin to see them clearly.  Sometimes what we may see will startle us as we realize they are not what they seem to be.  Everyone has a story to tell and a life lesson worth the price of listening and respecting.  Not all stories have happy endings but they all have meaning.   Mother Teresa said that "The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty".  This kind of poverty occurs within every social class regardless of ethnicity, culture, race, creed, religion or other social system structure.  Unbiased caring is the remedy.  While I will never be as unselfish as Mother Teresa, she is still an example of how a willing pair of hands can make a difference across the world.  If everyone felt wanted and loved would we have the crime, substance abuse, physical and emotional abuse or any other negative social issue today?  I can not say that they would completely disappear but I do believe their prevalence would decline.  So, the moral is that being non-judgmental is really love in action.

The next lesson I learned is that one has to seek for knowledge or understanding, it does not grow on any tree or magically appears from out of nowhere.  As I have read and read and read and read, ideas and question come to my mind that lead me to conclusions and more questions.  Asking questions and seeking others impressions are also helpful.  To truly understand a phenomena one must first believe they know nothing so as to be able to learn something.  Beginning in this manner one is open to possibilities that otherwise would be hidden from bias or preconceived notions.  Truth will always be true, so with patience one may obtain knowledge.  Knowledge has the power to change actions which decide destiny.  So, if you want to change your destiny or future, seek for understanding and you will make wise choices that will improve your  self and your future. 

Last lesson learned is that success is allusive and not easily obtained.  Substantial success requires time, patience, perseverance, and  most of all hard work.  The age old adage of nothing is life worth acquiring comes easily applies to success.  Growing up my Dad would always tell us that actions lead to opportunities.  Knowing what actions lead to the desires outcome can guide us today and in the future.  Hard work is suppose to be hard.  Our desire and fortitude  are tested as obstacles along they way trip us up.  At times we will feel like giving up, but if we just move forward towards a goal that goal with every step is that much closer.  Success's sweetness comes from the price each of us personally pays, and that price is high. 

In the end, I learned that life is a journey with a million destinations and I get to chose the path and how I travel.  I am including the video below as a reminder that once person can help another feel wanted and loved.  We do not have to settle for a lonely world but we can move forward and use our abilities to help another.  Knowledge that does not serve to lift others is knowledge wasted and opportunities lost.  The choice is ours.  One person can make a difference.