“Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward.” -Soren Kierkegaard

An analogy I came up with a few months ago was that, life can be compared to math.

In the beginning we learn our numbers. We learn 1 to 10, then 10 to 100, then the multiples of 100 and so on. Then we learn how to put numbers together. We learn addition, subtraction, multiplaction and division. Then we learn fractions, decimals, trig functions, angles, algebra and eventually calculus. There is an order and if we decide that we want to skip a certain lesson, then the next chapter becomes difficult to understand which causes us to become overwhelmed. There is a reason we have to learn and understand the concepts of the lesson being taught at the moment or else we will not be prepared for the lessons ahead nor would they make any sense. In order to assess our understanding of the materials we have learned we are given tests and quizzes along the way so that we are given an opportunity to put into practice what we’ve learned. These tests are designed to show you how much you have learned and what you may need to work on to do better in the future.

This is how life is. We are faced with situations everyday, what we must understand is that they are building blocks to our character. We have our ups and downs but our experiences are meant to teach us a lesson so that we can face tomorrow’s problems with much more strength and understanding. When the situation gets tough, we can’t expect to skip through them. We must understand that there is a reason for everything. Don’t be surprised if you are tested over and over again throughout life with hardships. Our experiences are meant to better our understanding of ourselves and the situations around us.

We must look back at our past so that we can learn from our mistakes but we must not dwell there too long for we must move forward armed with the experiences we have had.

Rocks, Pebbles, Sand and a Jar

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2″ in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children — things that if everything else were lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

Great story with a beautiful lesson. From this story let us learn that we must learn to prioritize our lives around what is most important to us. Take this time to evaluate your life and figure out the ‘rocks’ in your lives. Should some of your rocks be pebbles instead? Is it time we changed our habits and became more constructive? Is there a type of change you are willing to undergo for the greater good?

Ask yourself, “What are my priorities?”

“We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.” -Dalai Lama

The ability to love is truly a gift to all. Love is the only way those of different race, culture and ethnicity can come together. Religion on the other hand has been one of the main reasons we have conflict among each other. We cultivate a sense of belonging among those who share similar faiths, but simultaneously build walls and keep out those of different faiths. Love brings out the characteristics of compassion, patience, understanding and forgiveness. As you can see, love has the potential to bring out the best in all of us. Let us do away with religion and focus on a better way to come together. Let us learn to focus on our ability to love for the betterment of our society, our family and ultimately ourselves.

Organized religion has helped burn bridges between people all over the world, but with love we are given the opportunity to put those flames out and rebuild what we’ve destroyed. We do not need religion; all we need is love.

“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore” -Christopher Columbus

Fear is a word made up of only four letters. It may seem insignificant but it is by far one of the most powerful and the most negative emotions we endure. It is an emotion that holds many of us back from accomplishing what truly makes us happy. In relation to what we spoke about last week, the reason many of us refuse to accept change and move on is because of fear. We know what we must do to have a brand new start but we become afraid of the what we must give up to achieve that better future.

In order to achieve something extraordinary you must let go of the things you once thought were great.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” -Maria Robinson

Our lives are full of ups and downs. Often we get so caught up with the downs in our lives that we fall into depression. We feel that everything in life is falling apart. You regret the choices you’ve made in the past and feel that you have failed in life. Understand that you can not go back in time and undo choices you’ve made but that you can stop yourself from repeating the past by making smarter decisions so that you can have a better future.

YOU control your future PERIOD. Not your parents, not your friends, not your coworkers. Question is are you willing to make the necessary changes to come out victorious.

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.” -Mahatma Gandhi

What a powerful statement. However, a sad fact that I’ve noticed is that many of us overlook the true power of the mind. Negative thoughts bring about negative emotions, words and actions, whereas positive thoughts bring about positive emotions, words and actions. How we think dictates how we act.

Your mind is a powerful tool, use it to better yourselves.

“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death”-Albert Einstein

I will be posting up quotes, religious passages, videos, stories etc so that they can be discussed and understood from different perspectives. A post will be up once every week and be up for about seven days so that all of us have enough time to discuss the topic thoroughly.

If a quote is put up feel free to tie it with a religious passage, and vice versa. If a video is posted, share how that has impacted you. If a story is posted, point out how you had a similar experience in the past. The goal is to do what ever it takes so that others can see quotes, religious passages, videos and stories from a different light. We are here to grow intellectually and spiritually.

If you have thoughts for future posts to discuss feel free to email me at staney.james@gmail.com. I want all of us to gain the most out of this blog so suggestions, comments and constructive criticism are welcome.

Please be respectful towards others opinions.

Your opinions are based on your own personal experiences and that varies from person to person