Sunday, October 25, 2009
Being Inspired by Others
"I have departed from this planet and I have left behind my poor earthly ones with their occupations which are as many as they are useless; at last I am living in the scintillating splendor of the stars, each of which used to seem to me as large as millions of suns."
--Jules Massenet
Can we not live amid the "scintillating splendor of the stars" now in our current occupations on earth? Let's magnify the beauty of our existence on earth through our present work. The wonder of the distant sparkling stars, our desires and dreams, gives endless light right where we are. Let's let our desires and dreams be our guide, find a way to make them happen and live in that splendor. There are countless points of light, many rising suns, new beginnings indeed.
It's a virtual heaven on earth where people meet purpose.
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6 comments:
What an amazing quote Judith...I wish I could say that about my own profession. I think for everyone it is a work in progress but what a dream!!
I find moments where I feel the "beauty of my existence". The ordinary does seem to take over the majority of my day, but those moments of clarity and joy rush true life right through me.
The Write Girl - I also thought the quote was amazing but it had something missing for me, the importance of experiencing a bit of heaven on earth often times in the smallest seemingly most insignificant things like the tiniest bug or wild flower. They too have purpose. This is the beauty of blooming where you are in whatever profession you’re in.
Kelly - I think it may be possible to be blooming and experiencing the beauty of our existence even while doing mundane tasks. I remember once taking a job at night cleaning floors as my consulting was very slow some years ago. I had never cleaned floors before. But I took the job because it paid $2 more and I could work through the night, sleep a few hours and get up and do my consulting.
As I handled massive equipment and cleaned some 60 thousand square feet of floor each night, the winters were brutal; I wore my headphones and sang lowly as others stocked aisle after aisle. I also noticed that the bathrooms needed cleaning and no one was doing that. So, I volunteered to clean the four bathrooms. Well, if you've ever been in public bathrooms I don't need to tell your how disgusting that was. But I cleaned them every night for nine months all the same and actually proclaimed a blessing for each person who passed through daily.
I cannot even begin to tell you how many advances I received and how times I spoke with the owners of this food chain who owned fourteen stores throughout the state. In fact, my store was the best of all and the others had been in the business for many years. IWhile there I began negotiating a multi-million dollar contract with the owners to do all of their floors. But something else was in the works and I decided against this deal. When we bloom where we are and do the necessary things to fulfill our dreams, many points of light will pierce the mundane or darkness.
After nine months, other things came through. When I left my position, the night and day staff gave me a big surprise party on my last day that included gifts and cards that I have kept to this very day. I had bonded with each co-worker and manager and had sought to do my job well and to help others if they needed it. Many co-workers, unbeknown to me, were listening as I sang. Many songs were hymns and they would come and talk to me about their deepest secrets and most pressing problems.
That mundane job helped me immeasurably fulfill my purpose at the point and beyond and I was able to help others including the owners, managers and co-workers. By the way, your job is most beautiful and your writing equally as so. Might it also be possible that we are blooming and not know it? There is also that important point of self-satisfaction in stages, for once a degree of satisfaction is reached for me it's time to strike out again. This striking out is also often not too far; it’s within reach.
Auntie J,
"Let's let our desires and dreams be our guide, find a way to make them happen and live in that splendor. There are countless points of light, many rising suns, new beginnings indeed."
Having been in some kind of mental menopause over the past months, I see a great deal of hope and purpose in those words. They are most meaningful and most excellent indeed. New beginnings and rising suns! Gotta like that, you know?
Thanks Judith...
Oh, Dave, you can do it, my dear friend. You can really do it! All things are possible. Believe! Let me know if I can help at all. You know how to best reach me.
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