By now you probably realize that I gravitate towards darkness. Not in an emo, thrash metal sense (shoutout to 2002), but in a more philosophical sense. For me, darkness is real, cold, brutal and raw. Navigating it is often the only way for me to find my truth. I’m not looking for peace, love, comfort or security - I’m looking for truth. It’s my greatest blessing and my greatest curse.
Contrary to how it may seem, the light still exists within me, and it burns brightly. We are dualistic creatures, and I am certainly no exception. Granted, I often have to reel myself back in from the seduction of the abyss, but I always do. Today’s reflection is about me doing just that.
What I’m starting to understand is that as a writer, I have a responsibility. I don’t want to expose you to the darkness and leave you there, stranded. Some of the things I write about are, frankly, really heavy, and I don’t want this to be a place you’re scared to visit. I don’t preach fear, I preach strength, and I want to make that clear. Moving forward, Saturday’s will be dedicated exclusively for the messages of strength that I’ve extracted from my daily dives into the depths. It’s the weekend after all - who wants to talk about Schopenhauer on a Saturday?
This is today’s message: Become A Wave.
Have you ever tried to stop a wave? As you know, it’s not possible. The sheer size, force and flow of a wave is too powerful for anything to stop. Waves form subtly, grow quickly, become unstoppable, then die. That’s pretty much the formula of a great human life. Now, unstoppable for us doesn’t mean becoming super strong or learning how to fight (although it can, and I would suggest these things), but rather, it means getting so good at whatever it is we do that no impediment can get in our way. This could apply to creativity, work, family, or any number of passions. It means living life with vigor, and not letting the distractions - addictions, meaningless relationships, technology - get in the way of us growing into unstoppable forces. It means getting so consumed by the life we live that fate has no choice but to step aside and let us march forward.
The greatest of our species have done this very thing. They’ve all been waves. Each and every one of us has the opportunity to do the same, but it’s not going to happen tomorrow. It has to start right here, right now. That thing you’ve been putting off for weeks? Go fucking do it. That commitment you’ve been hesitant about? Double the fuck down. Need to make a major change in your life? Cue the napalm. You can’t become a wave unless every fiber of your being is aligned with the life and purpose you have in this very moment.
Have some fun this weekend, and kick some ass in the downtime. It doesn’t matter why we’re here - the fact is we are, so let’s make the absolute most of it.
Happy Saturday.
This is my new mantra!!!
Beautifully written!!!