The creator said to us, albeit rather indirectly, take this spoon of oil with you wherever you may go. Your destiny is to reach the end of the maze, whichever way you may do so. However, please always bear with you the spoon of oil.
And so the rules were but 2 simple ones.
Yet, many arrive at the end of the maze with a dry spoon.
Still, many more carry a spoon filled with oil, but find themselves giving up on finding the end of the maze.
Maybe you find yourself as 1 of these two types of people. Your weeks are set and fixed, and each day passes the same as the last. You are okay financially. You have a place to live. You have a few things in the back of your mind that you think "maybe I'll do that one day". But you've pretty much stopped wandering the maze. Your days have become rather mechanical and your spoon is dry. You were so set on those life goals- that job that would give you a good name on your resume, that higher pay-grade position that would give you just enough to get a new wardrobe, but then that wardrobe becomes a new car, and then you need a bigger house, and then you need nice furniture to fill it- do you remember what the reason was you even needed all this in the first place? Do you remember what it really is that gives you satisfaction from life? Or, has all the oil dripped off your spoon as you had your gaze fixed so blindly on the end of the maze.
Or, maybe your are group of people #2. You are focused on that oil. You don't want to lose a drip of it because you know you need to reach the end of the maze. You need to make money, now. You need to be able to support a family one day. You need to learn a little bit more before you will be ready. Do you even know where you are going? Do you even look up once and see the sun smiling down?
I have had the privilege of living and traveling many different places in the world. I have compared cultures and have found that each one has it's gifts.
We are so lucky for all that we have achieved as a country- the US. We have such opportunity and potential here and the growth and technology is outrageous.
Have you ever lived in a tiny-rural community in a developing nation? If you have, you have seen that most girls do not have a future. They do not have a future because it is not a reality. There are no opportunities.
No matter how much we may feel like we are struggling (and we are, oh we are. more than anywhere in the world); we have opportunity. It is part of our birth-right. Did you know that?
"The Pursuit of Happiness"
Are you taking advantage of that pursuit?
My friends in El Salvador live in a different ring of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Many of them do not reach the circle that encompasses "Career". If they are lucky, they reach circle number 2: Family. Most, however, just try to take care of themselves- food & shelter- survival.
Do not be sad for my friends in El Salvador. Do not pity them. Do not feel bad for them.
My friends in El Salvador know what it means to live. Mostly because they do not have a choice. But I have seen them. Maybe not everyone, because every lives different.
But I have seen joyous households. I have seen smiling faces. I have been greeted on every corner. I have received hugs and felt appreciation.
I have seen people smile at the sun, thank the Earth for a day of running water, and realize the days when they are lucky enough to have a plate of meat.
I have seen that. I have felt that. Much more in two years in El Salvador than I have ever seen in the US.
Say thank you for a plate of food? For the sun? For trees?
"Lol."
That's how many people may respond.
Until the day when your appointments are booked back to back to back on a summer day and then all of a sudden you are "starving" and thoroughly enjoy gulping back an ice cold soda.
I am not here to point a finger or to condemn. I, too, am guilty.
Because these conditions of our society- these buildings that were originally created to provide shelter, have become signs of social status. These careers that were original sought after for financial stability and growth have become labels of social order. These conditions have made us blind to the path that we originally set out on. What was it that we wanted from this life?
What is it that makes me heart beat? So that I may not only achieve my dreams, but also have other smile with me along the way.
Put your faith back into yourself, in your core values. Put your faith in others, because many people care for you more than you know. Put your faith in the Earth, because it exists only to serve us.
Let us appreciate the rain- because it may ruin your plans, but it offers you a free car wash.
Be grateful that you are from the US. Be proud of all that we have had and will have come to accomplish.
Just don't forget why it all started, and what makes it worth living.
Not one person was born on this planet without a special gift.
Your gift may be dance. It may be cooking or writing. It may be a contagious smile or sparkling eyes. Your gift may be for mathematics. Your gift may be humor. It may be connecting people. It may be inspiring people through your photos- photos that create feelings and inspiration- photos that tell stories.
You may never know how deeply your gifts touch.
And the world would be a sad place if you didn't share them with us!
Every so often, check back on your spoon. See how far along you are on the maze of life and check if you are bringing your oil along with you.
You are here for a purpose and your gifts are your service.
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