strength

I was going to begin this post by saying, "I believe in the idea that we can create our own destiny", but it sounded naive. So I deleted and replaced it with "I used to believe in the idea that we can create our own destiny" which sounded cynical, so I deleted it too. The truth is that I believe both statements, but not enough to make a declaration either way. While I'm so inspired by people who appear to live their lives by design, I'm skeptical about how much of it is an illusion. How much are they too, chasing the illusive "I'll be happy when..." pot of gold? We're so comforted by the notion that we have a certain level of control over our lives. We work and prepare...we invest in our 401K. Then the economy takes an unprecedented turn which changes everything. Or an unspeakably tragic earthquake crashes an entire city on top of itself. Turns out that what we thought we could count on, (including the very ground beneath us) is sometimes only an illusion of stability. And this is unsettling because we are so infatuated with the notion of certainty. The trouble is that we're fascinated by an illusion.

Maybe contentment is nearer when we make peace with that. Maybe we can actually coexist with the reality of not knowing, without feeling compelled to control, or explain, or make sense. Maybe it comes down to the idea of faith in a God who can somehow make sense out what seems to be nonsensical. I don't remotely claim to have all the answers, but I know this is how I find my strength.

How about you? 

Comments

[Puna]

What a cute photo!

[Liz]

yes, yes, yes. thank you for articulating this so well. i've always struggled with the popular conception of what i'm supposed to have accomplished by such and such an age, when there is always an area or two in which i am not "up to snuff". it drives me nuts! i have a nice little sine wave going of being totally fine with it, dipping down to tons of frustration over not having "it". whatever that might be. this is a beautifully articulated post about that phenomenon and reality of such.

and this is how i feel about it. ;)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/3295803234/in/set-72157594587515983/

[bright and blithe]

This is a really beautiful post. Your words rang true in my heart. So thankful He's got the whole world in His hands.

[JenniferG - Hip As I Wanna Be]

This post is lovely. I am comforted by the fact that I know that earthly possessions do not mean a darn thing and that I am focusing on the things that matter. Yes, Haiti gave me a new perspective.

[AmyBean]

I've struggled with control issues my entire life. I have desperately clutched onto every detail, trying to button up my life in a neat little package. It has caused me stress and worry, and most importantly, it hasn't worked. We can't control life. We can't control what we have. We could have every material possession we want, and tomorrow the house could burn down in a freak accident. We could carefully map out our careers, only to find that the CEOs have been embezzling money and the company must shut down. We cannot control life.

We can, however, control our responses and behavior. We can choose to be strong in the face of adversity -- or we can choose to break down and be overwhelmed. We can choose to be happy with what we have, or we can choose to windowshop and be envious of the things we can't afford. And we can choose to let God (or the universe, whatever you believe) have the reins, recognizing that we are powerless... or, we can choose to try to control everything, and be constantly disappointed with the chaos in the world.

It's freeing to realize that I am not responsible for the rest of the world, but I CAN choose every action and decision I make. I can't control the outcome, but I can control my behavior. How wonderful to shed the weight of responsibility for everything that goes on around me! It's not all up to me. Everybody else can handle themselves, and it's not up to me. That's fantastic news!

[Jakki]

LOVE.THIS.PHOTO.

my strength comes from the the fact just like the sun setting it does not mean that the day is done. things go on. life goes on. and that no matter what...just like the sun rising again...i still have a chance to do better. a choice to always TRY to do better and move on.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeenwashington/2888522519/sizes/o/

[cigi]

Thank you, Maile for your lovely post and thanks, too, to the rest of you for your wise comments. This is exactly what I need to be reading and thinking about today. :-)

[ELK]

what a strong post with a simple message ...

what helps me? music and nature
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/3697984723

[jen lemen]

i have to send our mondo beyondo dreamers to this post. it's so much the essence of what we believe in--to know that it's not worth the energy to invest in certainty, that we're most secure when we dare to trust our hunches and trust what unfolds because something greater is holding us all.

[camerashymomma ~ meredith winn]

i needed to hear these musings today.
i think it's important to remember that it's ALL illusion.

love this photo. love your thoughts.

[maile]

Thank you so much for the amazing, insightful comments everyone. I really needed to hear all of this today, too. You are all so beautiful. xo

[cindi]

the only thing that stays the same is
change...

many years have passed since I first heard that
and I'm finally "getting it"

Thankfully we're NOT in control!

[lee-ann]

wow.

[georgia]

yes.

loved to see this post today. i rarely talk about my faith on my blog, but yesterday i did just a little. i talked about prayer... something i find comfort and strength in lately.
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2010/01/just-some-thoughts-about-prayer.html

[Stacy]

Wonderful shot.

When I was younger I believed that I could plan my future. Then people I had known for many years betrayed my trust for their own selfishness. Then my boyfriend died in a car accident. My life didn't proceed as planned, but that is okay. It still turned out pretty good. I can only control myself and my actions in how they affect my life. It is not a perfect life. I don't believe that is possible. It's a good life, though. I still dream of my somedays where I will be a photographer, artist, etc. I have made my choice to not have to struggle financially right now. I struggled enough when I was younger to know that I rather dislike it. The one thing I don't lack is confidence in my abilities. If I want something enough I will make it happen, because I know I am strong enough to make it through the hard times and the effort.

[Bahiehk]

thanks Maile.

beautifully written. a simple truth that brings comfort.

:)

[Orlando wedding photographers]

awesome photo, very funny