Progress

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable . . . . Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

So it is in life.

Every step towards the goal of being one who lives with clarity, energy and love* requires:

Sacrifice (choosing action and growth over comfort and safety);

Suffering (in that we will all experience resistance to the truth of life, and suffer to varying degrees);

Struggle (not only only being comfortable with dis-comfort, but seeking it out and conquering your smaller (Ego) self through it)

and attuning to the eternal flame of love that burns bright within all of us – the flame to that creates the heat to melt the ice of fear and not-trying and unleashes our best selves.

On this day of all days, ask yourself: what’s my dream? The dream that makes the world better because I’m better.

Take a step towards that, no matter how small, or halting, . . . just move.

*  *  *

* And the goal is become someone who lives this way, most of the time, with that percentage increasing as time passes.

Similar Posts

  • What is Success?

    Success has a simple formula: do your best, and people may like it. – Sam Ewing Mr. Ewing offers an interesting formula. But could there be more? Or something different? Maybe: do your best, for the right people, in a way that matters to you and them and everyone will like it.  

  • Happiness Is Created

    Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. – The Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama) Happiness is not something you buy. Happiness is not some place you get to. Happiness is not something you trade misery for. Happiness is something you create – by your thoughts, feelings and actions. What…

  • 21 Great Pieces of Advice

    1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery. 2. Work at something you enjoy and that’s worthy of your time and talent. 3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. 4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. 5. Be forgiving of…

  • The Nature of Desires

    Aren’t desires bad? Don’t desires lead to suffering? Isn’t that what Buddha would say? If I recall, Buddha would say that cravings and attachments lead to suffering. Desires are a natural part of life. Properly understood* desires are healthy. Authentic** desires are healthy. *  *  * * To properly understand your desires you must know yourself,…