An intention that totally stands to reason.

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Daily writing prompt
Do you think everything happens for a reason?
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Well my friends, a very interesting topic today, isn’t it?

When I first read it, I was a little perplexed. I wanted to make sure I fully understood the question.

So I referred to my compatriot Al for a defintion. After all, he comes from a long line of information collectors, spawned from the shores of Britannica, where they attended Oxford, and were lovingly raised by Merriam and Webster.

But of course, I digress…

I went to him because much of what I think, say and do has been and is self directed, for better or worse. I choose. I formulate the reason, arrive at the intended and misperceived results in my noggin, guided by my ego, and just go with it. That being said, once the things do happen, then my tendency is to go back and review the refigure the reason while I swiffer up the mess I made.

“I knew I could do it, so why did this happen?”

“Why did my thoughts, words and actions offend so many?”

“How come no one understands I am right and does what I tell them to do?”

True, I do all of the calculus before hand, or at teast I thought I did, so I can figure out the best reasons for doing everything I do. The results will then always reflect my math.

Yikes.

I never really was good at arithmetic. Tried, but just never connected point A to B. Not in my geornetry apparently. Actually torpedoed my college GPA trying calculus and physics in the midst of trying to find my way.

Based on the stats I have accumulated for more than a couple of decades, things definitely trend towards the negative.

So delving deeper into the concept of reason, the word purpose was offered. Not as a sibling. Perhaps moreso a distant relative.

As it stands, reason is more of definition or explanation of a past motivation, a cause, or even a justification for the reasons something was done or why an event occurred. Strange, you think you are figuring out how to go about doing something – via reasoning – and yet it is more attuned to understanding why it took place.

Purpose, in this stoic’s understanding, seems a more independent and intentional entity.

Independent in the sense that I am coming to believe it is not self generated. I get bits and pieces, hints and suggestions, clues and coincidence that open me up to embrace what is in the process of happening. Not so much deciding I guess, just letting if you know what I mean. I feel less compellee to reason things out. More driven to let go and let it become.

And purpose, they say, is yet to be revealed. Yet to be fully known. yet to be pursued. But then again, I think that its intention is tug me towards it, allow it to capture my heart, mind and soul and then take me beyond my wildest dreams and most fervent imagination. I simply need to grant my permission to be carried away.

As frightening as that may sound, there is an overwhelming sense of peace to it. I need not know, be, drive, control, decide, determine, or even concede. All of this has nothing to do with capitulation. I just need to let.

Allow.

And most of all, trust.

At this point in my life, one of the best things I can do for myself.

Finally allowing myself to divine my purpose.

An intention that totally stands to reason.

Just as you pictured it.

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Daily writing prompt
What’s your biggest dream?
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I don’t think I am gonna share anything in this realm. Partly because I don’t really have a biggest, so I can’t. What I do have is an approach I learned from a mentor some time ago. Plus a way to look at what goes into creating one.

First, what he shared was this compelling notion:

Dreams are blue prints.

They are not simply wishes. A dream is intention. A living breathing plan where you actually dwell, work and play within until you make it into the real thing. You have to first be able to see it there in your head, feel it in your heart and sense it in your soul.

A good way to look at it is to consider it on the job training.  You dream so you know what it is going to take, all the way from conception here inside to its inception there outside. All before you actually make the trip.

    From there, this perspective emerged in me front and center.

    Sketch a masterpiece.

    Since you are the one dreamin’ the dream and drawing the blueprint, you might as well make it a masterpiece. Your drawing should capture all of your aspirations, highlight all your strengths and describe all the best that is in you.

    Perhaps in the bill of materials you include what you recognize as your shortcomings. How you transformed yourself could be stipulated in the revisions block. What you overcame, a symbol. How you maximized your capacity can find its way into the legend.

    So when you dream it – dream it big.

    And when you draw it – know no boundaries.

    Be bold in your artisanship.

    So you can truly live it.

    Just as you pictured it.

    Out.

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    Daily writing prompt
    What’s a promise you made to yourself that you’ve actually kept?
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    I cannot call it a promise.

    More of an intention I would have to say. It can be worded all sorts of ways. But what it comes down to for me is just this; stay here.

    In this moment.

    Now.

    Present.

    That is not to say I don’t feel the urge to pull off at the next exit when I am heading south for “The Past”. Or the one that comes right after the rest area labeled “Whathasyettobedetermined”. This is an ongoing battle for me. I have put the blinkers on a few times lately. Tapped the brakes. That being said, my sense is that it always will be that way. I just need to work at taking it down a few notches.

    Hoping that effort too will remain ongoing.

    Staying here is the best way to stick with the now and allow things to happen. One of the most prescient offerings regarding these moments came from Robert Frost. He said “…the best way out is always through.”

    Which makes sense. Reverse then cannot come into play and you cannot see or experience anything beyond what is currently in front of you.

    It can feel somewhat sunsettling just staying here. For lack of a better term, transitory. Perhaps that is how it is taken. Sensed. Not controlled. Planned. Just there.

    But now does only last twenty-four hours, a third of which may be consumed by sleep. Probably explains that growing lack of attachment or concern I have what came before and a general disinterest in devoting or expending any form of energy towards “next” whatsoever.

    If I can remain focused, then through can only be seen from where I am right now.

    Not simply the best way.

    The only way.

    Out.