Inspiraelevation

Inquiry Series

April 14th, 2022
The Question: What If?

The biggest question you will ever ask yourself in life is the question, What If? It is also one of the saddest questions you will pose to yourself over your life span.

Importance of Inquiry

One of the keys to unlocking what you want in life is asking questions. Asking questions opens worlds, and it will take you in directions you never fathomed.

“The key to wisdom is this – constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth.” – Peter Abelard

There is a saying that no question is a bad question. There is much truth to that.

However, some questions can become stumbling blocks while others are instruments for propulsion.

What If is one of those questions that fit in both categories.

What If Questions

Face it in life; obstacles come. And we all reach a point where we must decide to push through or relent.

Posing the what-if question can prove very beneficial when coming up against obstacles.

The easiest option is always to concede after looking at the pain of now.

However, the wise person takes an honest assessment, submits to a cost/benefit analysis, or more plainly poses the question, What/if?

A few What If Questions that Drive Decisions

There are more than a few what-if questions that drive decisions.
- What if I quit? Then how will I benefit? How will it make me feel in the present? How will it make me feel down the road?
- What if I don’t quit? What will I have to commit to in the present? How will it make me feel? How will things turn out down the road?
Asking what if helps to look at things realistically, allowing one to paint a more accurate picture of the short-term/long-term benefits vs. the short/long-term costs.

And if applied and considered honestly, it could save an individual a lot of heartaches.

This brings us to the point where What/If becomes the saddest question.

What If The Saddest Question

What/If becomes the saddest question when life renders one unable to progress as they once could or when an opportunity has passed and gone. It is then that what/if becomes a question of wishful thinking.

At this point, what/if becomes a question riddled with guilt?

What/If becomes purely reflective.

For Example:
- What if I had taken an opportunity?
- What if I had listened?
- What if I hadn’t quit?
- What if I could change things?
The past is already written. You can only act from the point of now. So here, this question is fruitless.

A Word to You

So remember, there will come a time when you are filling the pages left in the reflective journal of the story of your life. At that point, reflection pervades most of one’s waking hours.

So I implore you while the sprigs of life are green to ask What/If?
Uncertainty/Unavoidable Suffering

April 11th, 2022
Image by Santiago Lacarta from Pixabay

We face many things in life merely because we are human.

Humanity comes with a host of benefits and thorns, and the stage of life is inconsequential. We all will inevitably deal with two factors, uncertainty, and unavoidable Suffering

Unavoidable Suffering

It’s nice to think of a life that is free of pain.

But unfortunately, that is rarely the case.

Pain is an inevitable part of life as much as joy. Let’s face it we will have to deal with the complexities of pain and life’s uncertainty eventually. That is the curse of humanity.

You Never Have to Walk Alone

There is no justifiable rationale for walking your path alone. There is no reason that your pain should turn to misery and incapacitation.

Once we realize that we do not walk this road alone and others exist to prop, lift, or carry us, our burdens will be lighter as we traverse those paths.

My desire is to be that person and help others find fulfillment in life.

Fulfillment in Times of Uncertainty

What do I mean by fulfillment?

Fulfillment is a serenity, a peace with life, and all that comes with it. It is being able to deal with uncertainty and yet live in a state of repose, knowing everything will turn out okay. Fulfillment is being filled with so much hope that there is little room for emptiness.

Feeling Fulfilled is not Easy.

Fulfillment requires an understanding that life is uncertain, change is inevitable, and you will have pain at some points. It is part and parcel of wearing the skin we are in.

However, true fulfillment comes with the acceptance and the willingness to exert every effort to move forward, progress, and reach despite this knowledge.

It’s a process of getting beyond the uncertainty and unavoidable suffering

Feeling fulfilled is a process that frequently requires going through uncertainty and unavoidable suffering to learn the lessons.

Because growth is eventual, not immediate.

Personal Account of Uncertainty

I once felt that change was a plague in my life. I loathed change. I would freeze up when presented with change, no matter what face it took. But the thing is, my life seemed to change in significant ways frequently, often in short periods.

All I could ask was why? It felt like a bane to my existence.

My Desires

I desired comfort above challenge.

Certainty above growth is the direction I leaned towards.

Consistency is what I craved.

But I was unaware of how much I was being blessed.

Life was choosing me to attend its masterclass to propel my growth in ways unfathomable.

Path Ahead

I still don’t believe that I have a complete understanding of the size of my blessings. I am learning that;
- growth does not occur in moments of comfort.
- Muscles don’t expand in moments of leisure.
- Greatness, for the most part, is born out of adversity.
While our paths and pains may be divergent, the result is the same. Tests and trials strengthen us and improve our agility and acuity. Difficulties come to make us strong.

Some Sage Advice on Uncertainty and Unavoidable Suffering

Peter Sage says, “The measure of one’s success is directly proportional to how much uncertainty one can accept.”

Uncertainty is not the enemy.
It’s your greatest ally. Make love with uncertainty. Uncertainty is the core of the quantum field we’re all part of.
It’s your natural habitat.
Love it.

… or learn to, if you don’t already.”
― Laurence BL

A Word for You

No one is expecting you to lovingly embrace uncertainty.

On the contrary, the expectation is that you recognize uncertainty for what it is but move with the understanding there is always something on the other side. Perhaps what is waiting is more incredible than what was on the side of comfort and supposed security.

So, walk this journey with me. Why not believe there is a possibility of greater fulfillment. There will always be someone there to help you along the path if you open your heart to it. I am growing to believe that wholeheartedly.
A Discourse on Limits

April 3rd, 2022

Emeril Lagasse once said,

“To be big, you have to think big. If you think small, you’re going to be small.

The truth is, he is spot on. There is nothing as limiting as thinking too small.

Born Free: Limitless Existence

We are born dreamers.

In fact, there is nothing more natural to humankind than dreaming, trusting in those dreams, and believing in the possibilities of their fulfillment. That is what makes us human.

We live and play out those dreams for the first few years of our existence. There are no limitations.

We are explorers with no boundaries, Imagineers with no scope. In our youth, we are creators.

And if you are an unbeliever, go to any playground or daycare where children are allowed to express themselves freely and observe.

The World on a String: No limits

In our youth, the world is ours.

But then, life!

Life progresses, and we are put on the mantle of expectations. The world teaches us limits, draws borders, and narrows the scope of possibility. Teachers shut down our inquiries. Those recognized as mentors draw boundaries limiting areas of exploration. And many tell us what and how to create.

Sadly, we internalize the lessons.

We learn them well.

The Great Shift

We may not notice the integration at first. But then we perfect our craft of becoming chameleons. Unfortunately, we hide the truth even from ourselves. We redefine things to make them more appealing, appeasing our sensibilities. This is used as a mechanism to stave off dissatisfaction.

We call it being grounded, rational, or realistic.

Pretty Box full of Air

But no matter how exquisite the wrapping, underneath is still a plain box.

No matter how much one tries to dress up limiting beliefs, it is plainly the assimilation and acceptance of self-defeat.

Why?

Self-defeat is setting oneself up to fail before one even tries. And placing limitations on yourself is a self-defeating act because you cannot go beyond what you believe is possible.

So, once you have understood this, you will know that only those who dream big realize bigger dreams.

As Marianne Williamson so eloquently worded,

don’t think small and expect to have a big life.

Only those who strive for more get more

Only those who ask; receive.

A Beautiful Tie-In: A Story About Limits

There is a fascinating story that was written some time ago. This book is filled with timeless treasures. But, this is no oddity. Books are typically where a great many treasures are found.

The book’s title is “The Richest Man in Babylon,” by George Samuel Clason.

At the story’s beginning, a chariot maker and a lyre player engage in a deep conversation. Because neither has found satisfaction in their lives as they live them.

Both desired wealth, but neither had it. And to their credit, both worked diligently. Their due diligence in their work should have rendered them some wealth by their admissions, but it did not. On dissecting their situations to uncover the reason behind the absence of their desires, they came to an important realization.

They never sought wealth.

In conversation, the lyre player spoke to his friend in true fashion,

“Thou speakest with true inspiration Bansir. Thou bringeth to my mind a new understanding and make me realize the reason why we have never found any measure of wealth. We never sought it. In those things toward which we exerted our best endeavors we succeeded. “

Breaking Down the Insight

See, the problem was that they set their sights on making an income and hoped wealth would follow. They set the bar low and expected a high compensation. Nevertheless, they were saddened when wealth did not follow.

Notice it was not that they were not successful. But their success was limited by their reach. But nevertheless, they succeeded at what they asked for.

My Message to You

So, I urge you to set your sights on what you desire. Don’t sell yourself short. Remember how you dreamed as a kid. Remember how your expectations met your dreams. You were unbounded by rationality. Redevelop that childlike faith and reach. See where it will take you.

Free from limits

Because What you aim for is what will come to you and nothing more.
Crafting an Identity

March 28th, 2022

Photo by Tamara Gak on Unsplash

A lot of who we become or what we accomplish is tied to who we are. The funny thing is one of the most significant issues today is that of an identity crisis.

Who are You?

Matter-of Fact, many don’t know who they are. They suffer from mimicry.

Other people attempt to be all things to all people. They are one person at work, another with friends, and a different person at home. So, their course is set on a trajectory for chaos.

It is impossible and tiring to the point of fatigue to keep up with so many facades.

Indeed incongruency and chaos are twin flames

Mirror Mirror, Who Am I?

Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash

The trek back to self is not easy.

It is never easy to pull back all the layers to reach the core. And indeed, the more layers one puts on (the more pretense), the more difficult it is to find the hidden-self.

Unfortunately, the end result is never fulfillment for those who commit to pursuits but never work out their self-identity.

So, to live a fulfilled existence requires taking the time to do the work.

Shedding a Little Light

In his book “Think Like a Monk”
Shetty says,

“Happiness and fulfillment are merely rewards; they are the end result.”

This means we develop these virtues or reap these rewards when engaged in a well-lived and purposeful existence. This requires congruity (integrity.)

Incongruence is simply duality and multiplicity never produce sweet fruits.

I Don’t Like Me! Loathing Identity

Photo by Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash

A big reason for duality is indeed the dislike of whom one is. Meaning the façade exists to hide a weakness in character. The sad and sobering fact is that this causes great consternation when people fall.

Because for most, these individuals are suddenly unrecognizable. And it is unfathomable how one who is so beloved could be the antithesis of what they have so long portrayed.

But, in earnest, most need not be alarmed because the fall from grace is simply the guise falling. So now the world is now privy to the real Mccoy.

Truthfully, It is hard to hold up a mask perpetually because, eventually, your grasp weakens.

Losing One’s Identity

Some people lose themselves along the way, so they must do the work to disrobe. They have to get back to basics. They must remember themselves before they fell to the whims and fancies of their external existence.

Can you Build Me an Identity?

Photo by Cash Macanaya on Unsplash

For others who have never crafted an identity; their entire life has been an exercise in striving to be someone else for whatever reasons. And for those, the work is more profound. They must bow from the world of illusions to determine who they desire to be, not only at work, at home, or around friends. But who do they want to be authentically across the board? It is only then liberation is achieved. It is only then that fulfillment and happiness ensue.

Authenticity breeds contentment.

When one is entirely content with who they are, and there is no pretense, there is genuinely no weapon that can be formed against one that could ever prosper because what you see is what you get. (Isaiah 54:17)

Those who choose to rest under the covers must realize that the light will, at some point, find you out.

So walk in the light and put yourself on the path to happiness and fulfillment.
EGO (Edging God Out)

March 24th, 2022
Photo by mariel reiser on Unsplash

The market is replete with literature on instructions for goal accomplishment. And this is for good reasons. We all want to be fulfilled. Where there is a need, a market always arises to meet the demand. So, there is no surprise that the information out there is massive. And much of it is helpful provided one finds the right system.

Self-Determination

Much of personal growth and success material focuses on self-determination and pulling oneself up by their bootstraps.

Undoubtedly, It is 100% true your dreams will not work for you unless you do. However, that is only part of it.

EGO

Sometimes we lose sight of what’s vital in our quest to succeed. We lose sight of a purpose. And our I’s become too big. Our trek becomes one huge selfish endeavor.

There are so many goals or dreams upon which we could direct our sights. But, for most, the search for success, achievement, or fulfillment all boils down to one word” Significance!” Most desires arise out of a need to be significant.

Significance

That is an excellent word. Significance indicates a sense of importance or value. There is no better feeling or desire than wanting to be valued and feel important. Those who have gained significance in the world have made some unimaginable contributions So a desire to leave a mark on the world is, as one would say, a grand pursuit.

To Be Seen/Heard

Desiring to be seen and not melt into the fiber of existence is how most want to see their lives. Face it, who wants to leave the world feeling as if they were never here.

I, for one, wish to leave the world knowing that my life meant something that I mattered.

Noble/EGO Driven

On the face of things, it seems noble to desire significance. And to lay it plain, there is nothing wrong with it. However, the problem is when one’s reach for meaning becomes EGO-driven.

What do you mean?

If an individual’s quest for significance is fueled by the need to prove a point or garner respect, it’s probably EGO-driven. Or if the pursuit of Significance is to garner acceptance and love, then it’s a pretty good indicator it’s EGO driven. EGO Driven behavior always looks to see how it will benefit self.

The plight of EGO driven Pursuits

While it seems noble to pursue significance, to do so for selfish motives is a matter of self-aggrandization (inflation). Simply, it is for show.

Then some wonder why nothing is working out.

Why do things seem to work against them rather than for them?

Well, It’s because there is ambiguity under the surface.

My Search for Significance

Photo by Pop & Zebra on Unsplash

Viktor Frankl once wrote a book entitled “Man’s Search for Meaning,” and it is an excellent read. Admittedly on my current trajectory. I am on a search for the intent underlying my vision.

You see, I want to ensure that my reason for following the path I am on is pure. I want to make sure it is not out of a selfish desire. It is essential for me to ensure the motive behind my pursuits are not EGO driven (Edging God Out)

EGO (Edging God Out)

When we work in ourselves, we can only do things in our strength. We do the best we can, put forth our greatest effort. And yet, there is so much we still don’t know. So, when we rely on ourselves (EGO), we limit ourselves.

However, when we surrender to a higher power, we lock into a more significant power source. We open ourselves to more excellent opportunities. We open ourselves to unlimitable possibilities as opposed to when we operate in self, for self, and because of self. It is then we are operating on pure EGO. That is something we cannot sustain.

” Success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.” -Viktor Frankl

A Word for You

Consider your motivations.

Look at the rationale behind your purpose. What are you striving for?
- Do you desire to be a performer because you love it and want to share your gift with the world, or is the desire instead to be cherished and applauded?
- Do you want to be a doctor to heal others, or do you want prestige, acceptance, and esteem?
- Do you want to start a charity out of a desire to give back or be recognized as benevolent?
When you start considering your motivations, you will realize what is holding you back.

Unadulterated Truth

Photo by Meghna R on Unsplash

When you seek significance out of a pure place then you will receive what you are looking for! When you give, honestly give, without an expectation, and that is when it will be given back to you in ways unimaginable and you will start to experience greater fulfillment.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” –
Luke 6: 38