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Careful, I Have No Brakes

The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves. This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. – Alan Watts

Is it not so? The grace of life comes to us all, and for me, it has come in the past two years. Much of my life was about being the best at what I did. No matter the task, I applied 110% effort. The old adage “go big or go home” comes to mind. There is such beauty in effort. However, at times, I was a car lost in external validation without any brakes. My value was placed in my effort with the ignorant expectation of being pleased when others noticed.

Now, don’t misunderstand my words to mean that effort has no place in life. I am sharing something quite different. Effort is our gift for the place that we occupy on this Earth. Yet, the effort I speak of does not require the notice of another. You see, what I have come to understand is that the only person to impress is me these days. Selfish as it might sound, I promise to bring clarity to the comment.

When we look at the essence of being alive, it is about experiencing the present moment fully. Alan Watts encapsulates this beautifully by highlighting how simple it is to be alive, yet we often complicate it with our constant striving for more. This striving, though sometimes necessary for progress, often blinds us to the joy and fulfillment that comes from simply being.

In my pursuit of excellence, I was driven by the need to achieve and to be recognized for those achievements. It was a relentless pursuit that left little room for genuine self-reflection and inner peace. I was always on the move, always chasing the next goal, the next accolade, the next piece of validation from the external world. It was exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling.

The turning point came when I realized that my true worth was not dependent on external validation. It was a profound shift in perspective that changed my approach to life. I began to see effort not as a means to an end but as an end in itself. The joy of putting in my best effort, regardless of the outcome or recognition, became a source of deep personal satisfaction.

Effort, when viewed through this lens, becomes a form of self-expression and self-love. It is about giving your best because you value yourself and your place in the world. It is about honoring the gift of life by fully engaging in whatever you do, not for the applause or the accolades, but for the pure joy of being alive and active.

This realization has brought a sense of peace and fulfillment that I had never known before. I no longer measure my success by the standards of others. Instead, I focus on my own growth and development, on becoming the best version of myself. This does not mean that I do not strive for excellence or set high standards. On the contrary, I continue to push myself to be better, but the motivation now comes from within, not from the need to impress others.

In embracing this mindset, I have found a deeper connection to the present moment. I am more aware of the beauty around me, more attuned to my inner self, and more appreciative of the simple joys of life. This has made me more compassionate, more patient, and more grateful for each day.

Effort is indeed a gift, but it is one that we give to ourselves. It is a way of honoring our existence and making the most of our time on Earth. When we shift our focus from external validation to internal fulfillment, we unlock the real secret of life: to be completely engaged with what we are doing in the here and now.

So, if you find yourself constantly chasing after something beyond yourself, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself what truly matters. Is it the accolades and the recognition, or is it the joy of simply being alive and fully present in each moment? The answer, I believe, lies in the latter.

Embrace the grace of life that comes with being present. Let go of the need for external validation and find fulfillment in the effort itself. When you do, you will discover a profound sense of peace and joy that no external achievement can ever provide. 

Alex
June 26, 2024
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