Originally Posted: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2008
As I was meditating this morning, two random thoughts merged into a story of growth and development.
The first was a story I read on the net, where a child complained about having to remove rocks from his father’s field every spring after plowing. He was always giddy with delight that the rocks were gone, only to be mad the following spring when more rocks returned. His father explained that “rocks float,” which bewildered the boy until he understood. As rocks form from some small particles under the surface of the Earth, they are forced to the surface by the smaller particles settling past them. The particles of the rock are “lucky,” because they eventually see the light of day and can be made useful, the young boy learns, to build other things, to be a foundation for other purposes.
The second thought comes from a surprising place. While watching Ultimate Fighting Championship 89 (Sorry, I was intrigued!), color commentator Joe Rogan (Yes, Fear Factor Joe Rogan, but with a full beard!) said “Pressure makes Diamonds!” to one of the winning fighters. And he is right! Millions of years of pressure force coal into the precise atomic alignment that we know as diamonds. Some more precise and beautiful, others less precise but still very useful.
So, consider yourself a particle on the day you were born. You are at the bottom of the heap of humanity with millions of others born around the same time. You have experiences. You take on knowledge. You begin to grow. At the same time, you are surrounded by the pressures of your life. The first day of kindergarten. Your first test. Your first kiss. Your first graduation. Your values and principles begin to crystallize. You acquire more knowledge. You experience more of the richness of life. You grow larger as a person. You face even more pressure. Your first job. Your first tax return. Your marriage. Your first child. And these pressures cause to you to grow in ways you never thought possible. Still more pressure. Financial concerns. Downsizing. Moving your family to a new location where you know nobody. Growth to solve those dilemmas, and others too numerous to mention. Pressure that you could never conceive. And then it happens! You finally arrive at the Earth’s surface! You have been exposed! You are large enough to be used for other purposes: educating the smaller particles about your journey to the surface, building foundations that support other purposes. And you are beautiful! Your vision and values have crystallized in a way that you can peer inside yourself and see your purpose on this Earth. And it is all good!!!
May you encounter particles of growth each and every day of your life! And may that knowledge help you find yourself deep within your crystalline self. I know it is there, because I have finally, at 48 years of age, found the purpose for the rest of my life! And knowing you have found the right thing feels wonderful!!!
Until next time!
Julius
The first was a story I read on the net, where a child complained about having to remove rocks from his father’s field every spring after plowing. He was always giddy with delight that the rocks were gone, only to be mad the following spring when more rocks returned. His father explained that “rocks float,” which bewildered the boy until he understood. As rocks form from some small particles under the surface of the Earth, they are forced to the surface by the smaller particles settling past them. The particles of the rock are “lucky,” because they eventually see the light of day and can be made useful, the young boy learns, to build other things, to be a foundation for other purposes.
The second thought comes from a surprising place. While watching Ultimate Fighting Championship 89 (Sorry, I was intrigued!), color commentator Joe Rogan (Yes, Fear Factor Joe Rogan, but with a full beard!) said “Pressure makes Diamonds!” to one of the winning fighters. And he is right! Millions of years of pressure force coal into the precise atomic alignment that we know as diamonds. Some more precise and beautiful, others less precise but still very useful.
So, consider yourself a particle on the day you were born. You are at the bottom of the heap of humanity with millions of others born around the same time. You have experiences. You take on knowledge. You begin to grow. At the same time, you are surrounded by the pressures of your life. The first day of kindergarten. Your first test. Your first kiss. Your first graduation. Your values and principles begin to crystallize. You acquire more knowledge. You experience more of the richness of life. You grow larger as a person. You face even more pressure. Your first job. Your first tax return. Your marriage. Your first child. And these pressures cause to you to grow in ways you never thought possible. Still more pressure. Financial concerns. Downsizing. Moving your family to a new location where you know nobody. Growth to solve those dilemmas, and others too numerous to mention. Pressure that you could never conceive. And then it happens! You finally arrive at the Earth’s surface! You have been exposed! You are large enough to be used for other purposes: educating the smaller particles about your journey to the surface, building foundations that support other purposes. And you are beautiful! Your vision and values have crystallized in a way that you can peer inside yourself and see your purpose on this Earth. And it is all good!!!
May you encounter particles of growth each and every day of your life! And may that knowledge help you find yourself deep within your crystalline self. I know it is there, because I have finally, at 48 years of age, found the purpose for the rest of my life! And knowing you have found the right thing feels wonderful!!!
Until next time!
Julius
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