Within each of us lies both goodness and talent of some form, the ability to improve the world and to sculpt ourselves into our best selves. These twain are precious gifts not to be squandered else I assure you; you will look back on your days with regret and remorse. Fan that spark, nourish it, feed it until it becomes a passionate, roaring bonfire and then guard that flame with all your might for within it is your highest calling, your greatest destiny.
The parable comes to mind of the wizened elder conversing with a youngster: “There are two wolves that battle within every human’s soul for domination, one good, one evil.” The curious, excited response comes: “Grandfather! Tell me! Which ones wins?” The wise answer comes back quickly: “Oh, my child. The answer is very simple: whichever you choose to feed with your thoughts and deeds.”
Closing Quotes:
“The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.” – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, 1918-2008, prominent Russian political dissident
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” – Steve Prefontaine, 1951-1975, set American records at every distance from 2,000 to 10,000 meters
“Teach self-denial and make its practice pleasure, and you can create for the world a destiny more sublime that ever issued from the brain of the wildest dreamer.” – Sir Walter Scott, 1771-1832, author, ‘Ivanhoe’
“The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary and even humble individual – for it is in the solitary mind and soul of the individual that the battle between good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost.” – Scott Peck, Road Less Traveled, 1936-2005
As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier