Does anybody really care?

Mar 30 2010

Post #19 in a series examining Understanding, its components & importance

“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into a flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.”
– Albert Schweitzer

It took years for my father’s gifts to me to be fully appreciated. His death was followed by more years of personal upset and unhappiness that culminated in the loss of my marriage and the breaking apart of the family I had brought into this world. It was at that point I began again to dream of my father. Perhaps by happenstance, perhaps by design of my own brain or some greater consciousness, he was telling me to look at all the models I had learned about in my life, realize they all had something in common, and then do something with that knowledge.

Don’t take any one model so seriously. It is also okay to attach onto, to at least temporarily own some of life’s models, for such ownership can give you guidance and direction when you are adrift. But don’t hold on too tight to any one or you may never reach higher ground. Use each model for a specific purpose and not for more. If you can, seek to improve each model that you use, add to its usability by others. But above all, please don’t worry when you need to move on to some new model, some new approach. That is the path of life.

I know you are confused so write if it will make you feel better, if it will reduce your anxiety. Craft a message about understanding and put it out there. Perhaps the words will spread and take on a life of their own and become a light for people you will never know. Perhaps not. If this is only meant for your children, my grandchildren, isn’t that okay too?

In the meantime, I can assure you that if you are honest and caring, the universe will repay you in kindness and love, for that is the only currency that matters. Don’t worry about the future. It will happen no matter how you feel.

For years I could not get these thoughts out of my mind. I have now done his bidding. I have written almost all that I can, and I hope that at least some of it has been helpful. Thanks to all who have let me share these words with them.