Are We There Yet?
In a recent disaster, a man was asked why he would keep searching for a loved one, even when he knew there was little hope of any survivors. He was told repeatedly, the chances of finding anyone still alive were very slim.
The man replied, "I don't want to wake up five years from now and ask - what if? What if I had only done this or that?"
He wanted to exhaust all his options. Suppose the lost relative was still alive, injured somewhere and unable to speak or remember.
"If I do everything now... I won't be continuously asking myself... what if I had only done that? What if only I had tried a little bit harder?"
This man's philosophy is one we should use to examine our own actions. Do you live up to such high standards? Do you exhaust all options, all opportunities... in the pursuit of your goals.
If you did; there would be no regrets. You would have given it your best shot. You would have exhausted all your options. You could never ask yourself ... what if?
Or will you wake up years from now... and ask if only I had done that. If only I had followed my true feelings.
And what about the 'collective what if?'
Initial response to this recent disaster was criticized - it was said certain countries should have responded quicker or offered more assistance...
As a society, or a group of people - is there also a 'what if?'
Can we ask ourselves a collective what if... what if a nation or a group of nations had maxed out all their options and did everything they could possibly do to help in this situation. Surely, it would make a difference.
And in doing so - wouldn't we also acquire the same 'peace of mind' as this man. Just something to think about.
At the same time - lets be realistic. We may not reach our goals.
As an artist I have always found the journey more important and more interesting than the destination. The process more important than the product.
But artists are a little warped! Their thinking is a little off!
Or is it really, maybe we have just been looking at it in the wrong way. Maybe our thinking just hasn't evolved yet - Darwin's been sleeping way too much lately!
Maybe we should switch the gear to neutral and throw it into reverse. Then we could say:
It's not so much the journey that counts; but what we do along the way.
The reach is the grasp!
For even if you're grasping at straws sometimes - at least you're making the effort.
You're doing the best you can possibly do.
Satisfaction can come from within, it doesn't always have to be external or delusional! There is something to be said for 'that peace of mind'!
Especially, in very trying times such as a disaster, a personal crisis, or the loss of a loved one... it does make a difference.
Applied to the bigger picture - we may never completely solve the world's problems...world hunger, world peace or the latest world crisis.
All very daunting tasks. But it all starts with the collective what if; or rather with everyone working together as a group to eliminate all the 'what ifs'. To exhaust all possible options.
Perhaps, even more daunting, is the possibility of all of us working together to help those in need. Are we really at that stage? Will we ever get there?
Maybe the journey is a little longer than we first thought and we're just not there yet.
Lets all hope it's just around the corner.
And that we all get there.
Titus Hoskins
Copyright © 2005
This article is free to use as long as this resource
box is attached and you have made a donation to your
local charity within the last month!
The author is a webmaster and artist. His main web
site is http://www.bizwaremagic.com
Latest News
Sweet Treats From Sweet Muse Make Perfect Gifts That Delight and ... MarketWatch - Packaged with each brownie is an inspirational message or special quote, which makes each treat incredibly special. Messages can be selected from existing ... |
Reader's Digest Honors Inspirational Teacher PR Web (press release), WA - Salome Thomas-EL, an award-winning teacher and principal in Philadelphia, PA, was among nineteen "American Icons" honored for their wisdom, ... |
Cascade producer releases second inspirational DVD edition Great Falls Tribune, MT - By JO DEE BLACK Tribune Business Editor December 2, 2008 CASCADE Cheryl Andersen's first attempt at commercializing her husband's photography hobby ... |
Inspirational journalist bows out The Australian, Australia - Macswan, a former war correspondent, foreign correspondent and associate editor of the national news agency Australian Associated Press, died in Sydney ... |
Teen's inspirational story hits home MayoClinic.com - I was preceded in the program by a 17-year-old woman who was inspirational as she shared her story with the audience. At age 13, she was an athletic, ... |
Have an inspirational story? We're all ears Orlando Sentinel, FL - Do you have an interesting story to tell about your journey to a more active lifestyle? It can be a story about your significant weight loss, your training ... |
OUR VIEW: Our teachers, our neighbors, we honor you SouthCoastToday.com, MA - Inspirational teachers not only challenge students to achieve, but instill in them life lessons and the love of learning. To recognize the special place ... "Teacher of Year" nominations accepted |
 TVNZ | Inspirational Ronaldo wins global award Daily Nation, Kenya - By REUTERSPosted Tuesday, December 2 2008 at 18:36 Manchester United and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon dOr on Tuesday after ... Why the Ballon D'or is Stupid and Quite Possibly Evil |
Ducks' Reed tops list at team awards EastOregonian.info (subscription), OR - The Ducks' Most Outstanding and Most Inspirational honors are voted on by the Oregon players. Oregon improved its record to 9-3, concluding its regular ... |
Duck Awards Banquet The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, OR - Sunday night Nick Reed was named team MVP, Jeremiah Johnson was given the Most Inspirational Player Award, and Terence Scott was given the Most Improved ... |
Resources
-
Fit Over 40 - Anti Aging - Life Extension - Senior Fitness - Masters Athletes - Longevity
Look younger and sexier, boost your metabolism, gain muscle, lose weight safely and naturally, and read over 50 incredible, inspiring real life success stories which prove that this will work for you too, regardless of how old or out of shape you are!
-
Screensaver Quotes - Inspiring Motivational Screensavers
Motivational Screensavers with Inspiring Quotes - Inspirational Screensavers with Beautiful Colors, Sunsets, and Rainbows :)
-
Ordinary Words Extraordinary Power, A Dictionary of Distinctions by Danish Ahmed
'Ordinary words ~ Extraordinary Power
-
Healthy Christms Book Offer
Discouraged about your weight? Uplifting and fun support for women. Recipes, tips, prayers, success stories, more. Darling Inspirational bracelets: 4 for $10.00.
-
Inspirational Kids Stories
Inspirational kids stories. Stories with a moral, so that your child can learn about the life
-
Inspirational Quotes and Short Motivational Stories
Inspirational Quotes and Short Motivational Stories for Everyday Living
-
Success Motivation Inspiration
Success Is Your Birthright Too! An Inspirational ebook and mp3 audio program that helps everyday people achieve the success they thought was reserved for everyone else. Motivational quotes, goal setting, dress for success, ebooks.