Illusions . . .

Being on the road, stopping to see friends along the way and lately putting in hard work building something with my own hands has given time once again for reflection, the seeking of my Zen place state of mind and looking at the last several years of my life and what the future may bring.

One of my favorite books over the years has been “Illusions – The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah” by Richard Bach.  I have read and re-read it over 39 years now and it remains a sort of ‘Life Bible’ for me over the years.  Going back to different chapters in my life and re-thinking the different circumstances, actions, and outcomes to see where I can gain insight, clarity, and sometimes peace of mind.

It is a simple book and an easy read with many “gems” on how one should live life and treat other people.  Bach is an aviator mainly writing flying stories over the years with life lessons his common theme.  One of his early well known books was ‘Jonathon Livingston Seagull’ which was made into a movie.

Every so often I have gone back and read the book again and asked myself some of the questions and have been surprised by my changing answers over the years.  Was it maturity or circumstance that brought about the perspective swings? 

Here are a couple of quotes from the book to start you off on a flight to a better “me” or “you”.  Enjoy!

Quotations from the Messiah's Handbook

"Reminders for the Advanced Soul"

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"Illusions - The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah"

by Richard Bach - 1977

“Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't.”

This one has remained pretty constant in the fact as we learn and interact with people we have an effect on those around us.  Once we are gone I am sure there will be those that were affected having known us.  At least one would hope so and like to think we have impacted other’s lives in our journey.

“There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts.”

We all learn from our past, sometimes we repeat the past until we have more clarity on that which we seek in order make positive changes.  We learn from the problems so at times I’ve seen where people create things (difficulties, problems, or circumstances) so they can gain confidence to act or make changes from the experience.

“Every person, all the events of your life, are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.”

This one seems so true for me as those that come in and out of our lives over the years allows one to see what place or seat they may take in the ‘theater’ we call life.  Who is on your front row and who places themselves in the back?  Over the years how often do they change the row moving forward or back?

“Remember where you came from, where you're going, and why you created the mess you got yourself into in the first place.”

We learn from our past or would like to think so.  What have you created to learn from in your life?

“You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self. Don't turn away from possible futures before you're certain you don't have anything to learn from them. 

You're always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past.”

What are your thoughts on this?  Life is about choices, and the different paths that each one brings with it.  Do some of the paths cross at different points in your life, or move parallel for a time perhaps?  Does it bring with it another choice(s)?

“You are never given a wish without being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.”

The old adage “There is no free lunch” is so true about so many things in life.  It takes work, and many times it is hard work to make your wishes and dreams (goals) come true.  Hard work ethic and a spirit of working with a spouse, partner, or others never hurt anyone but my generation has done a disservice to our youth letting technology steal away imagination and work ethic in today’s society.  Some young adults expect that they be given or helped along the way without the temperament to get up and work hard, figure out the problems in their lives and provide for themselves.  The ‘instant gratification’ bug has took so many things away from our children who do not know or understand what it is to go play outside with a stick or sit and read for hours expanding their imagination.  If it does not have a joystick or keypad on it people are not sure what to do with themselves.  It has made many lazy with expectations of just getting by as I will not have to work for it as I will always be helped.  For those it is a shame that they will probably never know the meaning of working hard to accomplish something on their own and seeing the fruits of their labor.

“The world is your exercise-book, the pages on which you do your sums.
It is not reality, although you can express reality there if you wish. You are also free to write nonsense, or lies, or to tear the pages.”

The world is out there waiting . . . Enjoy!

Ice