Are We There Yet?

In a recent disaster, a man was asked why he would keep searching for a loved one, even when he knew there was little hope of any survivors. He was told repeatedly, the chances of finding anyone still alive were very slim.

The man replied, "I don't want to wake up five years from now and ask - what if? What if I had only done this or that?"

He wanted to exhaust all his options. Suppose the lost relative was still alive, injured somewhere and unable to speak or remember.

"If I do everything now... I won't be continuously asking myself... what if I had only done that? What if only I had tried a little bit harder?"

This man's philosophy is one we should use to examine our own actions. Do you live up to such high standards? Do you exhaust all options, all opportunities... in the pursuit of your goals.

If you did; there would be no regrets. You would have given it your best shot. You would have exhausted all your options. You could never ask yourself ... what if?

Or will you wake up years from now... and ask if only I had done that. If only I had followed my true feelings.

And what about the 'collective what if?'

Initial response to this recent disaster was criticized - it was said certain countries should have responded quicker or offered more assistance...

As a society, or a group of people - is there also a 'what if?'

Can we ask ourselves a collective what if... what if a nation or a group of nations had maxed out all their options and did everything they could possibly do to help in this situation. Surely, it would make a difference.

And in doing so - wouldn't we also acquire the same 'peace of mind' as this man. Just something to think about.

At the same time - lets be realistic. We may not reach our goals.

As an artist I have always found the journey more important and more interesting than the destination. The process more important than the product.

But artists are a little warped! Their thinking is a little off!

Or is it really, maybe we have just been looking at it in the wrong way. Maybe our thinking just hasn't evolved yet - Darwin's been sleeping way too much lately!

Maybe we should switch the gear to neutral and throw it into reverse. Then we could say:

It's not so much the journey that counts; but what we do along the way.

The reach is the grasp!

For even if you're grasping at straws sometimes - at least you're making the effort.

You're doing the best you can possibly do.

Satisfaction can come from within, it doesn't always have to be external or delusional! There is something to be said for 'that peace of mind'!

Especially, in very trying times such as a disaster, a personal crisis, or the loss of a loved one... it does make a difference.

Applied to the bigger picture - we may never completely solve the world's problems...world hunger, world peace or the latest world crisis.

All very daunting tasks. But it all starts with the collective what if; or rather with everyone working together as a group to eliminate all the 'what ifs'. To exhaust all possible options.

Perhaps, even more daunting, is the possibility of all of us working together to help those in need. Are we really at that stage? Will we ever get there?

Maybe the journey is a little longer than we first thought and we're just not there yet.

Lets all hope it's just around the corner.

And that we all get there.

Titus Hoskins

Copyright © 2005

This article is free to use as long as this resource
box is attached and you have made a donation to your
local charity within the last month!
The author is a webmaster and artist. His main web
site is http://www.bizwaremagic.com

---

Walking The Walk

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 14,... Read More

Discover Your Passion

What are you passionate about? We didn't ask if you... Read More

Shaping the Future with Positive People Power

We must shape the future and control our destiny.When we... Read More

Cool Children

It's funny how an acquaintance from the past just pops... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt...Part 3

Continued....When I turned 18 years old, I met a new... Read More

Learn From Failure and Confirm with Success

Both failure and success are good... if you know what... Read More

Finding Inspiration to Realise Your Dreams and Ambitions

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.... Read More

Recognize the Perfect Realtor

As soon as you have launched a strong desire, the... Read More

The Finer, and Finest, Things in Life

In America, we have a saying: The finer things in... Read More

Ways To Beat The Blues

1. Sit back and enjoy (or at least tolerate) the... Read More

The Power of A.S.K.ing

Have you ever had the opportunity to follow-up on a... Read More

L.S. Macs Treasures

Such as my defeat overwhelmed me, so did my love... Read More

Hope For Those Sexually Abused As Children

PART 1: Warning - This article may be inappropriate for... Read More

Ctrl-Alt-Delete Your Life

Ah, the good old "Vulcan nerve pinch", the three-fingered salute,... Read More

Courage That Changes Your Life

"The scars you acquire while exercising courage will never make... Read More

It Wont Happen Again

Have you or do you know someone who has been... Read More

Be a Star in Your Own Life

Do you have the charactertics to be star in their... Read More

Recipe for Success

"Desire is a tremendous force, and must be directed in... Read More

Beluga Whale Hits the River

Wonders never cease. Just when those in our area of... Read More

Body Calling: Eye Sight Cured Naturally

Lorenzo C. an inspiring young teenager who fell to the... Read More

Keep on Keeping on!

Whenever we are working on our dreams we are going... Read More

Exceptions To The Rule

Yesterday I turned 48, and she just turned 21. Uh-oh,... Read More

Crossing The Line Of Fear

Oh, this is a great topic! I remember when I... Read More

Patience - The Antidote for Stress

Why is it so difficult to hold steadfast to a... Read More

Improving Your Self Esteem

Often in our society, we are bombarded with the lives... Read More

Why Buddhism Succeeds - The Right Thing is the Thing to do

The ongoing teachings are exemplified in an understanding and execution... Read More

The Cracked Pot

Letters on Life#3Some experiences you never forget. In some of... Read More

Make A Difference - Just Go Make A Difference!

Three Words That Can Help Us Live Exceptional LivesCertain words... Read More

Good Morning... Please...Thank-you!!

When I was a child, I remember that my parents... Read More

How Four Words Can Enhance Your Life Of Prayer (Pray More In My Hectic Day? You Cant Be Serious)

"I would like to pray more. But ... how to... Read More

Escape into Reality and Find Love

The early months of this year brought major challenges, as... Read More

Secrets Exposed

Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 13,... Read More

Living Profoundly

When you realize that you really want to have an... Read More