Thursday 3 January 2008

Year 2, Day 1 - inspiration and resolution

I think new year's resolutions are important. They are, if nothing else, a useful thing to look back on as we consider where our lives are going. They can enhance our understanding of who we think we are and what actually exists for other people, is what I mean.

Which is always a good thing...

I read a quote today that really inspired me. I've been wondering what I should blog about at the beginning of this year and thanks to this quote I now know - it totally resonated with me.

It was made by Bilawal Bhutto, who is the son of Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan who was assassinated last week. In the wake of this senseless killing, Bilawal, who is 19 and studying at Oxford, was elected as head of his mother's political party. He wrote this on his Facebook page:

'I am not a born leader. I am not a politician or a great thinker. I'm merely a student. I do the things that students do like make mistakes, eat junk food, watch Buffy, but most importantly of all... learn. My time to lead will come but for now I'm the one asking questions, not the one answering them. People have asked why I want to partake in a future that will put my life, and the lives of those around me, in constant and critical danger. People have questioned why a person of only 19 years of age feels he has the ability to achieve greatness for a nation in turmoil. I can say this in response: They are the right questions to be asking. These questions are the foundations of democracy and a free society are built on. The important thing is not to stop questioning.'

When I read this, I can see very clearly how a 19 year old can save his country, and play a huge part in saving the human race. This guy has lost his grandfather, mother and two uncles to political assassinations... That must be a record. But do you feel how strong he is?

That sort of strength can only be achieved when a human being takes a stand. It is the most empowering thing in the world - it cannot be beaten out of us.

I think Bilawal is lucky to have inherited such strong lineage to take with him on his perilous journey... Of course he will be accompanied by much personal pain, but like many great leaders he will use this pain to fuel his resolve when the days are dark, as at times they undoubtedly will feel...

When I read this quote I see far more than just a student. I see a prosperous, free and fair Pakistan. I see a world leader.

I see peace in the middle east.

But we can all take a stand like Bilawal. We can all find something that touches, moves and inspires us and then simply make that choice: This is what I stand for.

My own stand, as I have blogged about before is 'Abundance for all'. I am so angry at the concentration of wealth on this planet, and so angry at the poverty gap. Working to decrease these two things really gets me out of bed in the morning. We live on an abundant planet which can provide indefinitely for all mankind. As long as we respect and love and look after it, it will evolve and serve us for thousands and thousands of millions of years (this is why I love my stand - it is so juicy, it spreads into all sorts of areas and I don't feel sidetracked at all).

But anyway, this blog is not about my stand... It's supposed to be about my resolution, I think. Or maybe it's about Bilawal Bhutto now. Or poverty. Hell, I'm not sure. But I am enjoying writing this.

Just don't get me started on the definition of abundance.

I can see something else in Bilawal's quote, which is, in a round about way, bringing us to my new year resolution.

What I see in Bilawal is a profound relationship to what actually 'is' in his life. And I really get that he is kind of at peace with what exists right now. And that he has a huge confidence for the future and in his abilities. And he is very aware of his own destiny.

I believe that each of us has a destiny, just like Bilawal. We just don't know it like he does - we don't have it mapped out for us.

And we are always being told we are in control of our own destiny.

Maybe we are, maybe we aren't, but one thing I do know is that I spend too much of my life worrying about my future and my destiny and trying to control it. Too much time beating myself up for stuff I haven't done today, or stuff I could have done better. Too much time wallowing in procrastination or anxiety.

So my new year's resolution is: To be at peace with where I am right now. To trust that great things lie ahead for me. To be thankful for what I have and who I am. To invest in my future by staying in the present moment. To stay true to myself and to what I have right here, right now, and to realize how damn lucky I am. To lead by doing what I know is right. To have the courage to follow my heart.

To support people like Bilawal and try and take some of the pressure from his shoulders, by simply being a leader myself... A leader in my own lunchbreak if you like.

To just stay here and now and to know that here and now is already whole and complete.

That's it, I've got it in... 8, I think.

x

4 comments:

La Belette Rouge said...

Many people's resolutions are the classics, like trying to lose weight or quit smoking---but your resolution is something so much more challenging. It sounds like a prayer. Really lovely. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Love that he watches Buffy. Cute detail. :-)

Glamourpuss said...

As Malcolm X said, “If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.” Conviction makes us strong because it gives us purpose and focus - without that, we drift. I guess it's the same with resolutions.

Puss

B said...

Bilawal Bhutto's quote reveals so much wisdom and is a ray of hope. So often, when devastating things happen, brilliant acts/people emerge and pick up the torch of hope and carry it forward.

Whatever evil persists in this world is not enough to wipe out the perpetual hope and beauty of humanity. All we have to do is be willing to carry our own torch forward... sharing our light with others. And by embracing this privilege in our own lives, we can make a difference.

You are a leader, TAYO and I have no doubt that you will carry your torch far and illuminate many!

Anonymous said...

On some high level I get the simplicity of your point...living in the now, the present, but I have to confess that I really don't know what that means or how to do this.

The sentences just roll off the tongue-- "live in the present" and "be happy where you are now". But I have NEVER been able to do this--At least for a significant amount of time. Surely, there have been times when I've been content with were I was but its rare.

I suppose my question is this: How do YOU live in the moment? If one is living in the moment, does this mean they are not moving forward?

I fear these questions come off as stupid, but I truly want to know how to be at peace with the now.