The Messenger

-
Two weeks ago I listened to a keynote speech delivered to 28 high school student-athletes at an awards ceremony at Georgetown University.  The messenger: A Georgetown Alumni and Positive Coaching Alliance Trainer.  His message: "I'm not going to give you any advice tonight. Why?  Because what I realized as I was preparing for this speech is that while most of our parents/guardians, coaches and teachers do give us great advice growing up, we are unable to recognize its value until we have had the life experience that mirrors the message."  Translation:  You'll get it later, recognize its importance and say "ah, that's what my blank were trying to telling me."   Sometimes we just have to be ready for the message.

Around midnight last night I watched the  2005 commencement speech that was delivered to students at Stanford University.   A very dear friend of mine had told me earlier in the evening what an impact it had on her and she wanted me to watch it with her.  The messenger was Steve Jobs.  The message(s): 1. On connecting the dots- "You can't connect the dots looking forward. You only connect them looking back so you have to trust that the dots will connect in your future.  You have to trust in something; your gut, karma, destiny, because believing the dots will connect gives you the confidence to follow your heart even when it leads you off the well worn path-and that will make all the difference." 2. On love and loss- "You've got to find what you love--and that is as true for work as it is for your lovers. The only way to be truly satisfied is to do great work and the only way to do great work is to do what you love.  Don't settle, and like any great relationship, it just gets better."  3. On death-  "If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you will most certainly be right.  Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the best tool I've ever encountered in helping me make the big decisions in life because almost everything, fear of failure, pride, and external expectations all fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. There is nothing to lose, there is no reason not to follow your heart."     

At the end of Jobs speech, he refers to The Whole Earth catalog, the Messenger.  The message:  "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish." 

This morning, a four year old girl from down the street came by the house to say hi to Bella and share her pure joy and wisdom. The messenger: Soledad.  Her message: "I like your flower. It's pretty."     

Tonight I attended one of my weekly meditation and dharma discussions. We had a guest speaker. The messenger: Bhante Rahula   http://bhanterahula.blogspot.com/   
His parting message:  "A mindfulness a day keeps the Dukha (suffering) away!"

As I go to bed, I consider the nature of the messages and messengers in our lives.  They come in all shapes and sizes; big and small, short and tall, shallow and deep, long and short. But, if we really look, listen and feel, the impact is the same--huge.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bhakti Bliss--lessons off the mat.

-
Image
I just returned home from Kripalu after spending five glorious days there, including ringing in the New Year "yogi style."  Having spent the last two New Year's Eve in similar environments, I must admit that I can't imagine doing it any other way.  To my surprise, well not really because I often miss the fine print, I had signed up for a four day program, not just a celebration on New Year's Eve.  From Thursday-Sunday I attended "Bhakti Bliss."  For those of you unfamiliar with Bhakti or Bhakti Yoga, it loosely means spiritual devotion or love for God and is often practiced via Kirtan or chants.  Whether participating in the traditional call and response chants or being part of the drum circle, dancing in the aisles or listening to stories told to music, I was completely absorbed in the experience......but not from the start. As my last one-sentence post indicated, I have been going through some holiday transitions. When I landed at Kripalu on that T...
Read more

Satya- truth

-
When considering what my fourth and final inquiry would be, I must admit that I wanted to return to a few I had already practiced.....and practice some more.  However, our assignment was to pick a new one each week and since I am the student, not the teacher, I shall be an obedient one or at least try.  I will continue to informally address Santosha/contentment and have much to say about my discoveries so stay tuned.  In the meantime I shall explore Satya, or commitment to the truth.  I have attached the link once again if you wish to gain a better understanding of the Yamas/Niyamas as related to the Eightfold Path.  On the surface, this was the last one I thought I would choose for an inquiry as I consider myself to be a pretty open and honest person, straightforward and truthful and not one for gossip or caddy talk.  When I looked a bit deeper at the definition given in the readings, I did find the area of Satya in which I struggle and thus, that will ...
Read more

Self knowledge vs Shelf knowledge

-
I first heard this expression when attending S.E.E.D (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) training a few years ago.  S.E.E.D   is an amazing program that truly has the ability to bring curricular change, understanding and compassion to any educational institution that chooses to accept its mission. Feel free to check it out.  Anyhow, they were referring to the parts of ourselves that we bring to any group or any discussion; we have our book knowledge and we have our lived experience.  Both are equally valuable and you are encouraged not to check any parts of yourself at the door...very Burkian, if I do say so myself.  I have been thinking about this a lot the past few days as I begin to reflect on this most recent part of my journey.  Is there really a separation of self and shelf?  At some point, doesn't the shelf knowledge have the potential to become your self-knowledge, if you embrace that which you have read or heard?  And finally, are ...
Read more