nother opportunity for reflection. In that reflection, I go back to Harvey. As any regular reader of this blog will know, I am a huge fan of this story -- in particular the Jimmy Stewart film version. The painting (And How Are You, Mr. Schafer) featured here is yet another tribute to the film, which was brought to life by my sister and oh so talented artist, Becca. One of the many lessons that I take away from Harvey each time is the challenge to not get so caught up in the details of life that you fail to appreciate the beauty all around us. We see the near misses throughout the film from Dr. Conners absorption in his work; to the romantic plight of the beautiful Nurse Kelley; and even the difficulty many have in acknowledging Harvey's presence.
So, I've decided to take a few moments and think about some observations so far.
Things I am thankful for:
- I have the most wonderful wife.
- I have a great family and wonderful friends.
- I have a new god-son and a niece/nephew on the way in August.
- I am honored to have serve my country in AmeriCorps -- and have a wonderful teams that I count as another part of my family.
- I have a job that I love.
- I have a team of co-workers who are passionate about their craft.
- Running in a new pair of warm weather tights.
- The fact that I am able to run...something I never thought would happen.
- I am generally in good health.
That said, the world isn't perfect. There is never enough time to keep in touch with those I love. Work constantly demands more of my team and myself. The economy remains practically unstable and unknown.
So, we have a choice.
A. Focus on the positive, while working to overcome the negative.
Or
B. Be consumed by the details, and lash out accordingly in a survivalist mode.
I know which choice I'd prefer (A). I know which choice I talk about when it's calm and I have time to breath and think. This is the choice that most rational and sane human beings would choose. Choice A allows for clear and honest communication, which facilitates better relationships in the personal and work life. These both have an impact on our ability to reconcile with each other and the world. Choice A allows for dialogue and healing. But this is not an easy choice. Accepting Choice A and acknowledging its difficulty is a step.
The next step is to choose the first option in our actions. Amidst the chaos and drama of the urgent, do you take a moment to focus in order to overcome? Or are you consumed under the avalanche of insignificant details? Now I'm not talking about true emergencies, because a lot of people rise to the occasion in those situations. My focus is on the everyday urgencies. Those things that don't add up in the grand scheme of things, but seem to demand a disproportionate amount of our attention.
I know what I want to be the case, and what ends up really happening. Choice B plays a larger roll in my life than I'd like to admit. In 2012, in my 31st year, I commit to working on this issue of courage under imagined fire.
There are things that matter in life: family, faith, friends, finding one's vocation, etc. The list goes on. There are many things that bog us down, and it is these imagined fires which I hope to learn to fight better...even if the fight is to accept their insignificance.
Like Elwood P. Dowd, we must embrace those beautiful and precious things of the world. We must hang on to our own Harvey's, especially if we are the only ones who see them, lest they slip away.
