the end of the world... as you know it

We are constantly fighting to preserve the world as we enjoy it; never wondering what our children will create with what we leave behind. We want more than anything to protect our legacy—never realizing that it is the memories that endure, not the monuments. Our fear drives us to kick and scratch as if our opponent—mortality—has backed us into a dreaded corner. So we throw out whatever we have-war, resource depletion, materialism-hoping that something will weaken him.

Then we go home everyday after battle and sleep in false comfort—telling ourselves that we are on the side of the good fight. We shout, “I will survive!” hoping that one day it will be true. Praying for the time when we can live forever. Have forever. Contain forever. We want coordinates. How long is forever exactly? Which way do I go to get there? Is that where they are going? What happens if I get there first? The birth of incentive. As I call it “In-sensitive.” Meaning you’re not sensing the gift that is already yours. If you do these deeds, you will be rewarded. Not, if you do these deeds you might be rewarded… some more. The prize is in the action. It’s in the ride you take to get there. It’s in the people you meet along the way. We are constantly being rewarded. Every day we get to close our eyes and reach deep down to pull out a prize beyond our wildest imaginings.

When you are working toward a goal, all you see is the “gold” you miss the other colors along the way. And when you look back, after the glory is yours to hold, what you hold most precious is the memory of it all not the commemorative statue. Once you get the thing that drives you… will you stop going? You will look for something else. And so begins the never-ending hunt in life. Always searching, looking, trying to get, uncover.

Lest ye not forget the dirt road you took on the way to the palace... the one that meandered alongside the cool water you drank. Or something like that. 

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