"For last year's words
belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And
to make an end is to make a beginning."
—T.S. Eliot
A long time ago in what was probably
a galaxy far, far away the pilgrim and yet to be padawan embarked on his
formation passage. It would bring him to places he had never imagined,
experiencing adventures he thought only lived in dreams and where he would meet
sinners and saints who all left a mark on his heart in teaching him about the
essence off all existence and his own purpose. One of those lessons started
with the etymology of a simple word. This word was used quite frequently and
liberally especially at the close of a calendar year. It was supposed to
indicate a firm commitment to a direction, to goals or purpose in the unknown
landscape that was called the future or New Year. The word is “resolution.”
The pilgrim let go and used the word
resolution as a focal point, a mantra, for his meditation. As he centered his
spirit he thought that this effort would help him discern his own purpose and
objectives in what was to come. As he settled in he heard the voice of the spirit of his Obi Wan.
That gentle voice of wisdom had
whispered the explanation of the history, the etymology, of the word and the
concept of “resolution.” It was said that this term had a foundation in the
ancient language of another empire and civilization. The root of this current
word was in fact from a word that indicated the act of loosening, releasing one’s
self from and letting go of the barriers, the restrictions (anything or anyone)
that could hold one from growing and being complete as the great source of the universe had intended.
The pilgrim learned that for one to
“resolve” was actually an act of letting go. It was an act of freeing one’s
self from the encumbrances – emotional, spiritual, psychological and material
that would hold one back, not allowing one to be. It was not intended to be a term about deciding and committing to the
attaining of attachments - things, ideas or people.
He would eventually learn that there
was only one purpose but that is a chapter to discuss for another time.
“Remember then: there is only one time that is
important – now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when
we have any power. The most necessary person is the one with whom you are, for
no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with anyone else: and the most
important affair is to do that person good, because for that purpose alone was
man sent into this life.”
- Leo Tolstoy,
Three Questions
“Not to decide is to
decide.”
- Harvey Cox "
At the day of Judgment we shall not be measured by what we have read but what we have done; not by what we have spoken but how we have lived."
- Thomas A'Kempis
At the day of Judgment we shall not be measured by what we have read but what we have done; not by what we have spoken but how we have lived."
- Thomas A'Kempis
Ballad of Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) –
G. Harrison
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Click on this link below to read the short story
"The Three Questions" (also available in the on line edition of The Plough .)
amdg
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