The Message in The Bottle

I carefully removed the message in the bottle, eager to read this missive from the past... visions of long-lost treasure lurking the back of my thoughts. I unrolled the parchment, and was disappointed to see that there was no map on this faded scrap of paper, only this:

The Greatest Achievement is the triumph of the human will over the fears of the heart. To do what you feel is best, without doubt or hesitation. To take stock of your life, beliefs, and priorities, and make a decision based on these things, wihtout letting your fear of disapproval or need of acceptance slow you down.

It has often been said that we humans are social creatures. But it is also true that we are fiercely independent, fighting to be seen as separate, valued individuals. Many of our greatest achievements as a species come from this drive to do something different from the other humans around us.

Can we do this, without the support of family or friends? Of course we can; it requires strength of will, determination, focus, and perseverance.

Everyone possesses the capacity for this; it simply appears differently in each person. The list of potential is endless. Even if you are a lowly worker in a large business, you can achieve in your area of passion (whether or not that passion is your job).

The trick is to know what you are passionate about. Not what your parents thought you should do when you were a child, not what your spouse or friends think you should do now, but what you feel deepest and most strongly about, whether or not you think that you can make money at it.

Don't spend your life afraid to even look up - you can have your dreams... If you are willing to look up, work hard, and persevere, you can have/do/be your hearts' desire. It is an old idea, but it is still a revolutionary one.

So, what are you going to do?
© 2007 LaVeda H. Mason All Rights Reserved.

The Message in The Bottle