Grace Amongst the Lions: Finding Strength in the Face of Chaos
CHAOS ALWAYS ENCIRCLES US.
WHETHER YOU'VE BUILT YOUR
IVORY TOWER
OR CHERISH THE SIMPLICITY OF
LIFE
DO NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.
EACH MOMENT, EACH BREATH, IS A BEAUTIFUL GIFT.
HOLD IT WITH GRATITUDE.
Wake up, get ready, sit in traffic, go to work, sift through emails, clock in, eat, scroll, think about freedom, get back to work, complain to colleague, get off work, sit in traffic again, get home, collect mail, look through mail, notice bills, avoid bills........
........
Turn on tv, prepare dinner, eat dinner while you watch tv, check phone while you are watching tv........
overstimulate, overstimulate, overstimulate
consume, consume, consume
Go to bed later than expected,
wake up
repeat
I have rather been fixated on this "to gluttonously consume endlessly and relentlessly" from my last post, how fitting as I decided to go with and inspired by this beautiful artwork by P.P. Rubens Daniel in the Lions Den.
We are constantly surrounded by decisions, by the fear of failure, by the impending doom we manifest with our thoughts:
"You're not good enough,"
"This person thinks this of you,"
"You should pick up your phone,"
"You'll be fired if you don't make the client happy."
Consume, consume, consume. Gluttonously consuming endlessly and relentlessly.
To the point we burn out due to our overconsumption, and the only way to stimulate us enough to take action is reminiscent to that of an addict, we have to go back for more back to the source of that feel good feeling.
What a rush, what a false freedom, it feels so good to be stimulated and not focus on our tasks. To be put in a pit of our own creation, accompanied with ravenous lions awaiting to quench their hunger with more of our awareness. The very thing we crave becomes the chains that further bind us.
I recently heard David Goggins reference his life from God's perspective stating "Look at this, this could've been your life over here." You can sit there 300lbs, broke, and miserable.
The majority live their lives trapped in the what if's. The only way out is to burn the old script and rewrite your story.
Or...
Take Accountability
Take Action
Rise from the pit
Pick up the spear and fight.
No matter how good you think you have it, the ivory tower you have created, "The things you own tend to own you." Tyler Durden - Fight Club
Don't be a slave to your job, your subscriptions, the intruding thoughts you project onto other people, your impulses, your desires, your dopamine addiction, and most importantly to your ego.
This doesn't mean, forego society, quit your job, be a monk, if that's what you want then so be it. The way forward is with Grace, for with Grace, it will keep you from burn out. This isn't a liposuction, an ozempic quick fix, or a 30 day detox. This is tangible and must be earned.
This has to be for the longevity.
Accountability for your actions, the only self help coach you need is you. Stop glorifying influencers that are broadcasting their life as so much better than yours, you have to do it for you. Once that subscription is up, the trial has ended, who is left to hold you accountable?
It's you, it begins, and ends with us.
Fight back like your life depends on it.
Because it does.
This beautiful life is as precious as it is short, for one day when your time is up, will you be happy with how your life turned out? Or will you be another lost soul floating through the Æther with regret of a life half lived?
BE GOOD. LIVE ABUNDANTLY.
Rubens, Peter Paul. Daniel in the Lions' Den. c. 1614–1616, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.