There is a wonderful Native American saying given during a ritual ceremony celebrating a young man’s initiation into manhood. It goes something like this: As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm. Jump. It is not as wide as you think.
Although there are a number of take-aways that those words impart, first and foremost, in my mind, is that they remind us of the power we all possess within ourselves— the power of one.
The author, Joseph Campbell wrote often about our singular capacity to determine whatever pathway our lives take. Here is one of his axioms:
Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.
It’s not just about the power that a positive attitude brings to our lives, it’s about our commitment to a lofty, blissful and purposeful life goal and it’s about the confidence that we have in our power to shape it in spite of the chasms of distractions, temptations, and obstacles that we all encounter along our way. It is also about confidence in our ability to steer ourselves back to our appointed and desired path, even if we are knocked from it. It begins and ends with our acknowledgement and belief in the power within us.
Clearly there are many who we will encounter on our life journey that we will treasure and who will treasure us. They will provide us with meaning, love, and support that will be integral to fulfillment of our ultimate purpose and destination. It is impossible to comprehend a blissful life being one wherein we are the only player. But each of us captains our own ship and we must set the course and navigate the changing water on which we sail. Each of us has the capacity and power to take our ship anywhere we desire. Believe in that power – the power of one!
One song can spark a moment.
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest.
One bird can herald spring.
One smile can begin a friendship.
One handclasp can lift a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea.
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation.
One sunbeam can light a room.
One candle can wipe out darkness.
One laugh can conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope can raise our spirits.
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom.
One heart can know what’s true.
One life can make a difference.
You see, it’s up to you!
Have an AWE-full weekend!
William “Bill” Bacque