Tuesday, August 12, 2008

The Confluence of Heart & Soul

When do we give up on our dreams?

Is it when we are children, and figure out that our life isn’t THE life- the one dancing just out of reach on TV, in movies, in music, in our heads?

Is it when we are in school, and see that some are better at something than others? Or, when we see others discovering their gifts, while we still can’t truly grasp what a gift is?

Is it when we graduate from college, and take a job, any job, far from the thing we just invested four, five years to fathom?

Is it when we realized that the love we found isn’t love at all? When the mundane eclipses the passion? When the status trumps the bond? When the loneliness is overwhelming?

Is it when we realize that retirement is too far to grasp? When illness is too close to avoid? When death breathes in the ear of a friend, unexpectedly?

Why do we give up our dreams?

Is it the pain we are trying to avoid? All our good intentions, all our invested passion and emotions hung out there for naught? Are we ducking behind a mask of realistic expectations, hoping no one will notice that we have betrayed our own soul?

Why do we do give up? And, why do some not?

Michael Phelps, Garret Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones, and Jason Lezak.

Faced with scads of talent and an underdog status, they prepared. Faced with lip from their French competitors, they remained silent. Faced with an Olympic pool and the hopes and dreams of their country, they dove in and swam. Swam like there were sharks on their tail. Swam ahead of the World Record graphical line. Swam until they were dizzy and could barely exit the pool. Swam in the face of the tired, old commentators who doubted them. Swam, in that moment, no for history and legacy, but because they were so damned “tired of losing this race”. Swam beside the best in the world, looking destined for another second place, until Team Captain Lezak, pulled just a bit harder, a bit harder, a bit h– and lunged for the wall, and stunning, cheer/tear-inducing victory.

Why do we give up on that, when it’s always just inches away, in the confluence of heart and soul?

4 comments:

Spartacus Jones said...

Beautifully written, as always.

I believe to be victorious in any endeavor, you need three things: desire, knowledge and effort.

In regards to effort, first you must be willing to do whatever you have to do to achieve your goal. That's the easier part.
The harder part is this: You have to be willing to give up whatever you have to give up to achieve your goal.

That'll separate the heroic from the half-assed in a twinkling.
:)


sj

CoyoteFe said...

Thank you, Spartacus Jones. You paint a harsh potrait (not your first) of one who would succeed. Unfortunately/Fortunately, I think you are absolutely correct.

Unfortunately, because that level of sacrifice means pain, missed opportunities, and a markedly skewed life. Fortunately, because if one does choose to make such a sacrifice, it should be properly honored as somethine well beyond a normal accomplishment. My son made such a choice, in pursuit of another choice. Time will tell ...

Lori Skoog said...

Hey you two....Spartacus and Fe. Well put. These conversations are on the mark. I think I had better start using more words to see if I can catch up with you!
Lori

CoyoteFe said...

Lori -
You crack me up!

The Skoog Farm Journal is one of my most favorite things. You can do whatever you like!