A Slogan To Live Your Life By
July 20th, 2008 categories: Glimpse of the Day, Lifestyle
“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
No matter how many times I read those words, they never fail to inspire me. In my previous incarnation as corporate executive for a (then) Fortune 100 company, I picked up many bits of ‘Rah Rah’ and squishy toys, an attempt of the company to lift moral, build a team spirit and tap into some motivational guru’s source of inspiration. But this line was different. From the moment I read it, I knew I had to leave the corporate life I was leading. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that”, another entirely uplifting saying, but the same company that spent so much time and money inspiring their teams during the good times, became inspirationally bereft and the curtain came down and there was only a weenie, not a genie behind.
So I took my little desk plaque, the one that say’s, “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” and set out to do it. And I couldn’t be happier.
There’s another little bit of lore that I subscribe to that has also provided inspiration and direction to my life and my choices. It’s the one that says, “You reap what you sew”. Now perhaps I’ve read into this one a bit and worked it so that it describes Karma or at least my shallow view of it. Even a Karmic Novice such as me can experience the benefits of this adage and I have for as many years as I can remember.
As an example, when I give generously and my motivation is pure I always get back more than I give. This goes for love, money, support; anything and everything. Sometimes when money’s tight we tend to want to be conservative and tend to share less. I’ve been there. It’s a scarcity mentality- there’s not enough to go around so I keep it all to myself and grasp tighter and tighter on to it so I don’t lose it. I’ve found through this behavior I feel a lot of stress- all that grasping really wears you out. Over time, I had the opportunity to give when I really didn’t have much and the first thing I noticed was surprise. I surprised myself and then immediately thought, “I sure hope I don’t regret that. ” Then I turned my attention to the recipient of my generousity and through compassion, all regret and grasping immediately vanished. I thought no matter the consequences, I’ve made the right decision.
As it turns out, I am a most fortunate person. I always have more than I need and ‘most of the time’ I feel really content. So, I’ve learned that the act of giving is itself a reward particularly with a pure motivation. I can’t speak to this directly but I will surmise that if one does not feel compassion and act out of an altruistic state of mind, the return on the investment isn’t quite the same. I don’t think one can cheat Karma. But, perhaps the end does justify the means in this case. At least the benefit to the recipient is real be it money, support, encouragement, etc. The Dalai Lama speaks of being ’selfishly selfless.’ He says the best way to bring benefit on to oneself is to be a benefit to others.
So what power do these rather esoteric sayings really hold? I say they are words of wisdom and if you look behind them and realize the truth within them, they really can propel you to places that you may have feared to go before. I don’t know who came up with my favorite little saying but I really appreciate the message. That little plaque sits before me today in my little office and still holds a pure power that never ceases to remind me of my own potential. Perhaps someday, I can return the favor…
Isn’t our inspiration up to us?
Aloha,
Keahi
Indeed we are ultimately responsible for our input and output. Sometimes I can get too focused on my own situation to be able to see around whatever obstacle seems to be in the way. I am always looking for inspiration from within and without.
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