The Tests We Take

At some point in your life, you may get tested in ways you could never possibly imagine. And as you are being tested, it may seem unfair, ill-timed and impossible to endure.

But know this; you are never given more than you can handle. The reasons for your particular test may not be readily apparent, but it always serves a purpose.

Perhaps it is to make you look at things differently; to appreciate the blessings that surround you every moment of your life.

Maybe it is a wake up call; designed to get you to change course, to become that person you were intended to be.

In some cases, it might be that others need to see you in the battle of your life so that they can learn to fight the smaller skirmishes of theirs. You may have been chosen to be tested so that others could become what they were always meant to be in witness of your trials.

It all makes perfect sense.

We are put here for one another in some capacity; yet to be determined.

Even when you are up against it, at your worst and cannot possibly fathom how you will ever continue, someone is watching, listening and drawing inspiration and strength from your personal calamity.

Your resolve to endure and overcome your test restores an other’s faith that they can too.

When it becomes their time.

And then, become that inspiration for yet another.

So they too may pass their test.

Inspirare.

 “To breathe into.”

The things you think, say, do and pursue on a daily basis do not exist in a secluded environment. 

Somehow isolated from the outside world and everyone that inhabits it. You can be sure that there are always some unknown quantity of ears straining to hear your words. Eyes abound that are trained on your reaction, response and conduct in all manner of circumstance and situation. And the seeds bearing the example of your character in action are being planted within others.  

Inspiration breathes life into all. 

In some fashion, whether you realize it or not, you are delivering your own brand of inspiration to others on a daily basis.  Moment upon moment. In flesh and bone.  You can choose to be an exemplar of constant, committed and caring words and action. Intended to encourage greater effort, enthusiasm or creativity.  

You can be the embodiment of the type of  inspiration that moves others to improve, grow and strive to achieve beyond their present limits into what they were meant to be.  Able to awaken a particular feeling in another no matter the situation or circumstance.  

“To breathe into.”

It is well within your capability to be positive, persistent and passionate about your pursuit.  Genuine in your example.  Loving in your approach.  And willing to give up yourself in doing so.  

Lean into these aptitudes and fully embrace a deeper investment. Realize that you will be  raising-up far more than just some abstract  audience.  

Your thoughts, words and deeds respect no physical boundaries.  

There is no shelf life. 

Your persistence, positivity and passion ripples out in all directions.  

And some portion or particle of your  committed and loving efforts will touch many others.  

Breathing into all.  

Inspirare.

Awake.

“I cannot be awake, for nothing looks to me as it did before, or else I am awake for the first time, and all before has been a mean sleep.”

― Walt Whitman

Well put Mr. Whitman. 

Especially that state  you describe as “a mean sleep.”

I believe that we all tend to share a common bunk at one time or another in our lives.  Where we only see life from one side.  Tearing ourselves down but neglecting  to enjoin in a rebuilding process.  Hearing only the negative, construing honest interactions as disparaging, disregarding the  true affirmations born of love and tucking away all of what we are made to be so we can  return back to our mean sleep.  

Though it entirely contradicts common sense, there is this misperception of comfort to be found under that stifling blanket, albeit unhealthy.  Covered by bad habits, we choose to remain.  It is known territory.  Nothing comes unexpected.  We convince ourselves it is all as it should be.  Because simply “it is what it is.”

Well there is another side of that bed.  

Might appear to be cold and dark at first glance.  But if we give it a chance,  we  will sense  a warm and inviting light over there.  Perhaps our  eyes, ears, head and heart need to get used to the difference present in that glow.  But  when we roll over and  throw off those stifling covers, we  begin to hear things in another voice. 

Through the light finally penetrating the glass, we can now perceive  it as  becoming half full. Glimmers of positivity radiate within conversations.  Others’ shared expressions of what they see in us bathe us in a warmth we  have longed to know for what seemed an eternity. And as our focus sharpens, that figure now facing us  is the one we have always known ourselves  to be.  

Though nothing may look to us like it ever did before, there can be  a first time for everything.  In a way, that is how an epiphany works.  

And finally being awake like this, for the first time,  brings us great rest, peace and joy.

For nothing looks like it did before.

But lived out.

“You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips. ” 

Oliver Goldsmith 

Never would I be one to discount the value of well chosen words.  But at some point, “talking the talk”  just will not cut it. 

One must walk the talk. 

Perhaps actions do resonate. Speak louder. Creating a durable, lasting and genuine example of intention. And one’s character. Especially when delivered as Mr. Goldsmith suggested; as a sermon. 

Not as a directive  from a bully pulpit.  A shaming message born of the ego.  But rather a gospel built with the love for another. Patiently constructed, genuinely delivered and exuding great faith. A testament of passion for the well being of another.  Then fully lived out as the spoken word. 

Not merely once. But over and over. 

And over. 

Practicing precisely what it is you have thus preached.

A gospel built with love. 

A testament of well being. 

Not just as the spoken word.  

But lived out.

Hath no cares.

The resolved mind hath no cares. 

George Herbert (1593-1632) British poet. 

This isn’t to say that one should proceed without due diligence and your head up once you are resolved to a course of action. Rather, being resolved brings with it a sense of independence from the limitations and clutter imposed by indecision, waffling and second guessing. There be “no cares” in that you know where you are going, and how you are getting there. 

And nothing will sway you away from that course.

So make it your mission, to not only discover something special each day, but also to rediscover something special within yourself as well. Two things that are only made possible if you are fully present and seize the moment. With both hands. 

When you let go, and then go “all in” your resolve  releases this exquisite level of energy. You set the tone, creating this powerful brand of momentum. One just made for overcoming the inertia of the day. Loosening its grip. Making it relent. And surrendering to your will. 

As your hold on these moments increases, new possibilities emerge. Opportunities once hidden now become visible.   As you proceed fully present and seize each day, you will be actively molding the future. Your future. For what you resolve to make of the present will eventually determine what is yet to come.  

Think about it. 

There will be no ambiguity in what lies ahead. No gray areas. For the thoughts, words and deeds you are choosing at this very moment help to shape the very next. Always in motion is the future. Your future. Its direction is largely your call. 

With resolve, be fully present. 

Let go. 

All in. 

Seize the moment.

Create your future. 

With resolve. 

Hath no cares.