In Whom Do You Trust?

            Life is full of challenges, achievements, and sadness’s that can be overwhelmingly debilitating at times. No one can expect to be live without facing unique circumstances meant to stretch our understanding and test our faith in others, especially in ourselves. It’s not a matter of if something negative will happen, but only a matter of when. Sometimes, once your first breath of air has been inhaled, your adversity has already begun. At other times, you may seemingly go about your life without much in the way of NOT having your needs and wants satisfied; but that in and of itself may actually be your challenge.

            In this diverse world with which we live, with over seven billion souls occupying it, there are way too many mathematical combinations to even begin to sort through the sheer number of issues, problems, trials and adversities. By the same token, there are just as many, if not so many  more, reasons to not give up hope and continue onward persevering while helping others do the same. What may seem like an endless array of moaning and lamenting through images, song lyrics, novels, movies, or any other artistic outlet is simply a form of expression to share their own story. What a difference it makes to know that others have felt the same way as we have and managed to survive.

            As a child I had the wherewithal to understand that I had been blessed to be born in this country of my inheritance, so to speak. It was easy for me to understand that so many other children were so much worse off than I. At least I didn’t live in a hut, have to work in a factory or sweatshop or live with a barrage of constant military attacks that left my community in ruins. I faced my own hells, but compared to those I’ve seen in various images, I had truly been blessed. I learned to appreciate reading at a young age and loved to learn about new things. My insatiable appetite for acquiring knowledge couldn’t be quenched, as the more I learned, the more I needed to know. And I needed to know about everything I could find out whether it was good, bad, happy or sad; I simply had to know stuff.

            Because my parental beings weren’t as, let’s simply say for the sake of decency, as enlightened as they should have been prior to having children, I wanted to know what had happened to make them so inadequate. It would take multitudes of volumes, countless hours of therapy and years of torment before the understanding would finally come to me. It turns out they merely chose the path of least resistance. It takes a lot of chutzpa to admit that one is broken, has issues that need to be addressed and then have a desire to change. But not everyone is willing to do so as our society; and as the societies before us have revealed every single day throughout our world’s history, neither have they. Nevertheless, and most thankfully, there were (and still are) numerous folks who have had the courage to change the course of their destiny; thereby, changing the course for others’ destiny as well. For those who have had the tenacity to stand against the tide and say, ‘No, this is not supposed how the story is supposed to go,’ I give thanks for their shining examples.

            Because the path of least resistance is easier, many go about their days without bothering to comprehend that they can make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others. Instead of using the challenges they have been given, as well as the tools already given with which to remedy them, they chose to ignore the harder ways in lieu of just getting by. Getting by is never enough; at least it shouldn’t be. To discover ones’ talents, develop and then hone them to share with others is one of the utmost essential elements to changing the world as we know it. Because nothing changes, if nothing changes. We must be prepared to not only accept that we should rectify areas in our lives that are deficit, but to do so willingly. Our world is in constant motion, and it’s alive with more moving parts and elements than we could ever imagine. And we have all been blessed to be a part of it.

            Many chose to remain steadfast in their known hell, believing that they cannot change anything so they don’t bother to even try. The unknown blessings are beyond scarier to them than the known chaos they’ve become accustomed. That’s why people remain stuck in a rut; simply out of fear of the unknown. Edison’s tenacity has allowed us to enjoy light bulbs, phonograph or other inventions that we now take for granted every day. Newton understood and then explained the laws of motion and gravity so that it could be further expanded upon. Galileo’s inquisitiveness also played a huge part of the scientific revolution. Mother Teresa is the proverbial icon for selfless charity, encouraging everyone to serve others; not only in order to feel better about themselves, but as a way of serving God. Joan of Arc is one of my favorite heroines of all time; took upon the English at such a tender age, remained steadfast and true to her faith in God and her country until she was burned at the stake. There are endless numbers of people who through their own curiosity, tenacity, faith, and understanding were willing to step out of their comfort zone and say, “No, this is not how the story is supposed to go.”

            Not one single person, who has lived, is alive or will be born, has led a perfectly safe life devoid of issues, challenges and trials. We have come here to learn, grow, and share. But it’s entirely up to you to decide whether to stay within the confines of your known hell, or to challenge it. You alone choose your paths or destiny that may very well help others change theirs as well. So, do you turn inside yourself, feeling despair, hopelessness, and depressed over your circumstances? Or do you trust yourself to know that the unknown blessings of your future are superior to your known hell? Everything you need to overcome any adversity is already within you to do so. But in whom do you trust?