"Life
should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in
an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,
chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally
worn out, and screaming WOO HOO what a ride!"
I've
seen this quote several times before. I love it. I love it because
it reminds me life is not to be taken too seriously. Life is for the
living! It is to be seen, and felt; enjoyed and marveled at while the
chance is here.
On
the other hand, I've also read this passage several times before.
“And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in
committing a little sin;
yea, lie a
little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for
thy neighbor; there is no harm
in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we
are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved
in the kingdom of God.”
It then goes on to call this false, vain, and foolish doctrine of
those with stiff necks, high heads, and prideful puffed up hearts who are ripe
with iniquity, revile against all that which is good, and shall be thrust down
to hell and perish.
Polarity. One side fears missing out while the other would
rather be safe than sorry.
Friends: Here's my perspective. And, I like to think it's
encompassing for either side.
If you are making your way through this life without addressing your
fears, you are doing it wrong. We cannot grow from that which we already
know. There must be a challenge faced. Facing your fears equates to
eating vegetables for your psyche. It will make you stronger, healthier,
and more balanced.
I once sustained an ankle injury. As I stepped gingerly along
the rest of the day, my opposite foot began developing blisters.
Compensating for my weakened ankle was taking its toll on the other half
that had to make up the difference. So it is with our emotional
well-being. Avoiding the painful points and the troublesome spots will
lead other areas to compensate in unhealthy and debilitating ways.
This new year, along with dieting and weight loss, quitting smoking,
becoming closer to God, and all other cliché resolutions that perennially
resurface, consider giving yourself the most empowering objective of all: let
yourself be vulnerable. It is a gift, and it's beautiful. Find out
what frightens you the most and face it. Live long enough in the land of
discomfort and it will become fertile with flora. Build strength from
within and watch as it radiates through your veins to all other facets of your
life.
A therapist once taught me a valuable lesson on intimacy.
"Everybody always thinks of being intimate as being close; feeling
safe and comfortable," he said. "But, it's actually the
opposite. You want to know when you're being truly intimate? When
you're hand is shaking because you're terrified of the next thing that's about
to come out of your mouth…that's when you know you're being really intimate
with someone."
Let
those hands shake! Not a missionary handshake, not a won-the-tennis-match
shake, not a Family Feud shake, but a tremor, a tremble, a quiver like my
Grandpa Ernie who fought Parkinson's disease for 15 years!
Take
a risk. You will be glad you did.
