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27 September 2007, 10:54
Remember the glory days by James Ray
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things."
--1 Corinthians 13:11 (New American Standard)
With Bruce Springsteen on the charts again, I was reminded of a song of his from several years ago called Glory Days. If you're too young to remember it, The Boss sang about how people he knew sat around dwelling on the past, reliving and constantly rethinking what has long gone and will never be again.
Unfortunately, many lead lives that keep them in the same small town (metaphorically speaking) for their entire lives. Still re-living the big game, still talking about the "old times," still thinking about the way it was.
What type of childish things (in all areas) have outworn their welcome in your life?
How many people continue to go to the same church and listen to the same sermon for years at the risk of being locked in chains of mediocrity? How many individuals stay in jobs that have lost their luster and vibrancy long ago out of fear and insecurity? How many stay in relationships, trying to remember the "glory days" when there was passion, connection and love?
Many movies and books have been written about the "mid-life crisis" when people make radical changes in their lives. Grown men leave their families and date women half their age. Women long past their prime are seen frequenting bars and parties that are known to not satisfy in the long run.
Dr. Anderson in his book, The Stages of Life, is the first (to my knowledge) who has observed this occurrence as a good thing... at least, to a point. While the behavior is not wise, this external search is driven by an inner spiritual desire to evolve and grow... A setting aside of the dying and a breaking through into a new realm.
Unfortunately, a return to the past behavior of glory days and younger years is unable to satisfy.
In most cases, the temporary thrills of chasing teenagers and other juvenile behavior is short-lived. The wise individual realizes that it all was the outcome of an inner longing for something more and of greater significance.
The student lives life in the Now... not hanging onto the past and not longing for the future. When asked the question, "Where are you, and what time is it?" there is only one answer: "Here and Now."
Everything but the Here and Now is a mental construct and an illusion that robs your life of precious energy.
The sad individual that lives, thinks and talks consistently about the past is looking to affirm their sense of identity. The problem is that this identity is based upon a long history and interpretation of past experiences and life situations. You are more than that.
Don Juan told Castaneda, "The person of Power is the person who has no personal history." "But James," you may ask. "Doesn't the past imprint upon us and make us who we are?" My answer is both yes and no.
There is much to be learned and gleaned from the past, and yet to the degree we cannot release it and live in the Now, we are in chains. Our very identity is locked in the grip of the dead and gone. Let the dead bury the dead.
Conversely, the person who is constantly thinking about the future is living in never-ending anticipation.
I once coached a young man who set his watch to audibly notify him every 15 minutes so that he could pause and visualize his future. When he proudly informed me of his new practice, he was surprised to find that I was severely unimpressed.
Constantly thinking of the future is a strategy of the ego based upon a deep dissatisfaction with what is. While I'm a strong advocate of visualization, constantly visualizing the future will often do more harm than good.
I doubt very seriously if Bill Gates visualizes becoming a billionaire or has billionaire affirmations taped to his mirror. Bill just is. Once you get there, you don't need the map...
What was once profound has become a childish hindrance to release and put away.
What of goals? Setting a goal and working towards it is positive. You're clear on where you want to go. The key is to honor and give full attention to the step you are taking right now in this present moment. Those who are excessively focused on the future are doing so because they are seeking happiness, fulfillment or a more complete sense of self in the glory days of the future instead of the past.
The organized religions of the West have built their entire identity playing on the ego need for a perfect heaven in the future. Unfortunately, this very mindset creates a perfect hell in the now.
It's not what you do that determines your success but how you do it.
This statement, when fully understood, is so deep in its implications that it can literally transform and enlighten your life. The "how" is the internal process from which you live and move. When your continuous mental dialogue is in the past or future, your life is passing by you at quantum speed.
The Journey of Power is a journey of defining your future clearly... releasing the past while living full-on in the moment! Just suppose this is as good as it gets? What can you do to more fully experience and appreciate the beauty of life right now?
To your continued wealth and happiness,
James Arthur Ray
President/CEO
James Ray International
ENJOY!
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