It’s the Journey, not the destination

To be without desires, is to be content.
If you do not wish to have something,
you are content with what you have.

And it always seems to me that,
the more we don't desire something,
the greater the chance of getting it,
and all the more exciting.

To be without desire,
is to be simple.
If life is simple,
then life is not complicated!!!

~ from the wisdom of Lao Tzu

 

And so we have the cliché “It’s the journey, not the destination.”  But what does this mean in our busy lives?

To me it seems that, as a society, we have lost perspective. We spend more hours every year working toward some eventual goal. A bigger house, a new gadget, a retirement.

We spend our lives making someone else rich is bottom line. They don’t give a shit about you, there is no such thing as loyalty anymore. Sure companies talk about it but it’s a one way street. They expect you to give all, if you don’t your not a team player. If you ask them to give however, they don’t.

I propose taking a look at what is really important in life. Is it keeping up with the Jones, or is it humanitarian efforts? This is only something you can determine.

I have come to the conclusion that what’s most important to me is promoting humanity wherever I can. From building community to protecting the environment, securing our food supply, developing alternative energy,etc. These are the most important things to me.

Too many are so entangled with money that their entire existence is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Therefore they are so disillusioned that they see only enemies. They believe the spin that those different than them are dangerous, that looking out for yourself is priority one, and so on.

But it’s an empty existence. Even those at the top find themselves very unsatisfied. They have no true friends. Only posers who are after their dollars or the illusion of their important position.

I find myself less and less happy. Even when I have money I have no time to enjoy things it can bring. I must recoop to do another day slavery to make another dollar. But never fear, there will always be another bill or car repair, or something waiting to suck every last dollar from your account, affording you the opportunity to work even more hours.

When I find myself the most happy is when I’m spending time with family and friends. Working in the garden. Helping at the local food bank, church or some other social function. These are the things that matter. What we do is what we will be remembered for.

So where am I going with this? Think about what you want in life. Don’t think about how much it cost or what your parents wanted for you, etc. But what is truly important to you. Then make it your life.  One day, when you’re old you’ll look back at al the things you did and wished you’d done. The only regrets you’ll have is those things you didn’t do. Tomorrow is not a promise so Carpe Diem!!  Seize the day.  Savor every moment as if it were your last.. it could be.

In the end it’s not your retirement, or your home, or you car that will sustain you. What will is the love you share and the good deeds you do.