eisba

I am told that ‘the unexamined life is not worth living’ (Socrates, coined some long time ago!)

But what makes a well lived life? What does it mean? All of the jobs, with large pay, that you have listed on Linkedin? The number of friends or likes you have on Facebook? Or the speed with which you can Twitter and claim your share of the socially networked world?

I am then reminded of the story of the student looking to get enlightenment. She seeks out the master, living on a mountain and finds him carrying a huge burden on his back, up the path.

‘What is enlightenment like?’ she asks. Without speaking, the master sighs and puts down the pack. She gets the message immediately. ‘Wonderful!’ she exclaims ‘but what happens after enlightenment?’ she further inquired. The master sighed, silently again, picked up the burden and continued on his path.

The psychologists Panskeep (2004) and Emmons (1999) tell us that, to give meaning to and reach contentment in, our lives, we need to both seek and achieve. I add ‘and then seek again’.

Perseverance in continued growth, to coin the great philosopher, Punch ‘that’s the way to do it!’ Do you want to find the way?

Bridget smiled radiantly, glancing at the bemused onlookers as she parked her bike, unpegged her jean clips (it was a bit late, the chain had already caught the bottom of her now stained, old fashioned bell bottoms) and coughed to clear her lungs.

The bell sounded, breaking the trance of onlookers; kindly family, friends and the like. “You need to get ready dear” an elderly aunt cautioned, just as the church organ struck up its welcome. “I am” she replied, “very ready”.

“Without make-up and no white, long flowing white dress? In holey jeans and muddy boots?” came the query, the crowd’s bemusement shifting to incredulity.

“Yes. I walked, breathed and reflected, rather than sat, pampered and gossiped. I am ready to pass through and onto my new life” she retorted, as she strode down the aisle and into the welcoming arms of her chosen partner.

Moving through life’s stages, rites of passage, is all about the preparation. Rush and we maybe unready. Pontificate and pout and we may be distracted and focus on the wrong things.

It pays to take time out. To retreat and conference with trusted confidants, but then the time comes to bounce back out again. To take up that project and hop on down into the new adventure.

“Go on bounce across ……… I will catch you!” bubbled Bridget’s confidence