Waxing philosophical...
The philosopher in me has always pondered about the strange twists & turns that life takes in the course of a person's lifetime. Many compare life to a journey that must be taken in order to reach a desired destination. I have always liked this simile. Some say it is not the journey that matters most, but the destination. Others will say the opposite. Myself? I prefer the opposite. I think of the destination as a constantly shifting future hidden behind the mist on the distant horizon. I don't know what I'll find there and each day/mile I travel only gets me short distance closer. My destination is elusive and without substance because I have not yet traveled enough of my journey to even begin to define what my destination should be. I do not carry a preconceived idea in my mind about my future. I believe to do so would be foolish. Rather, I choose to live day-to-day, remaining openminded to unexpected forks and detours along the way. Each hill, detour, fork and bump along my traveled road is a lesson learned and knowledge gained. The road builds character. I do not know what I'll find along the path of my journey but I do know that I only have one wish at the end of every day. I want to be able to look at my mirrored reflection without shame and say that I lived today with integrity.
Just recently I watched a movie called Kingdom of Heaven. In the movie, a newly made knight was making his oath to his father and I found the oath to be very apt. It goes like this:
"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless, and do no wrong. That is your oath." I'm not a particular religious person, but these words rang true for me. I recommend the movie to anyone who like action adventure based on historical events.
A final quote from the movie: "[In Jerusalem] You are not what you were born, but what you have it in yourself to be."
2 comments:
I enjoy both. I long for the day when I reach my destination (retirement) and can spend the days doing things that I truly enjoy. But I do plan to have fun during my journey and if it delays my destination a little bit, so be it.
Before I begin, Giorgio, I really like that quote about the coffee...that's definitely the way to wake up in the morning.
As for the rest...
I used to look at my life with importance placed on my destination, but in recent months I've changed my outlook, and it's defintely the journey that counts. I now have no idea when or where or with whom I'll end up, but I know that I'm going to do certain things along the way. I'm gonna work hard everyday, because I respect people that work hard in this world. I'm gonna go on as many holidays in as many places (near and far) as I can possibly afford. I'm gonna read as many books as my head can handle. I'm gonna fit in as much quality time with family and friends as they'll let me. In short, I'm gonna live as "good" a life as I can. I believe that if I live my own, personal good life, where-ever I end up in the end will be a good place.
As for that movie, Gidget, I own the DVD, and I've seen it several times. Fantastic movie. It's funny that you talked about the oath he took, because I always think of that same oath when I think of that movie, and it always moves me, because it really is a fantastic outlook on living an honorable life.
Post a Comment