Life is all lessons…ignorance is not a destiny…
When everything is still and my mind catches some rare moments of serenity, I find myself suffused in memories, remembering the life I have lived—the suffering, the pain, the misery as well as joy, grace and love. I thought a lot of how certain events have molded me into what I am. In retrospection, I have asked myself: have I been the kind of person I want to be or am I just the consequence of my past?
A smile paints my face as I remember the happy moments I have had with my loved ones, and sadness fills my heart as I long to bring back those memories. When my eye passes the beautiful sight of a united family, I miss my own. How unfortunate I thought that mine had to break in such inopportune time as sickness claim the person of my father. Truly, we have to treasure every memorable moment in our lives, for when it passes, it shall never be brought back.
Fear also visits as I thought about reaching old age. I imagined what will I be when I’m capable no more. Who’s going to take care of me? If someone does, are they able to hold me until the end of my decrepitude? Although such maybe an illusion or a reality still far, my moments of silence allow me to contemplate the possibilities that may come ahead.
Oftentimes I ask why I must live this life: full of strife and suffering, and happiness is nothing more but fleeting. Will there be an end to all of this? Must I be a spawn to the whims of this world? Perhaps, I need to wait and be patient; maybe the answer will come if I be still.
The world as I see it have never been the same, though I’m not yet a veteran of life, I can deduce from the events both past and present that ours is more precarious than all of history. The same vices dominate the hearts of man and the same evils influenced our minds. The culmination of our intellectual superiority, as manifested in the present technological advances has only threatened the continuance of our kind. In my moments of silence, I doubt the future of the generation that will come after me.
I miss the time when I was an innocent child, when everything was magical and anything was possible. I long for the gentle love and assurance of my parents—whom are my gods and my protector. The child in me wants to go back into the world where it once belonged, where everything is at peace, where the past and the future do not exist, and where the only reality is the very moment at which all my senses are being realized.
Life I have known is a constant battle. The enemy comes when we least expect and we’re easy to surrender to challenges. As everything gets complicated before my eyes, I find it hard to rationalize everything. I don’t know what to make sense of all the injustices and unfairness fate has bestowed upon my lot.
Then an answer came in the simplest things. As I calm my body by walking around my neighborhood one evening, I realize the spirit needs some strengthening too, just like we do with our bodies when we exercise. For the body to grow strong we need to subject it to stress; the more we put pressure on our muscles, the more powerful it becomes. Same is true with our spirits, we need to experience stress in the form of adversities, suffering and misfortunes. The more we are able to withstand the pain of these experiences, the stronger our spirits become. Should I decide to be sluggish, both physical and spiritual, I will grow weak; and such weakness will culminate in my ultimate defeat.
Now I understand that life is like climbing a mountain. While most made an effort to reach the top, many gave up the struggle and stay at the base—where everything is blurred, confusing and overwhelming. But I, with every ounce of my strength, persist on going on and face the challenges despite the wounds I collect. As I go higher, the more I see things clearly. And as I reach the top I see the wholeness of everything, I am able to see the bigger picture which I would not otherwise witnessed if I settled at the base.
Thus, liberation finally reigns in my soul as my moment of silence temporarily ceases. As I depart, let me ask you to take a moment and contemplate life as you watch this short video.
To my readers I offer thought provoking compositions about things important that affects our daily lives. Please consider by subscribing below.
Only if you find necessary
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. GROW IN SPIRIT:
Pitfalls of instant gratification
Crippling habits people embrace
Why are we having problems with problem
How to unleash your true capacity
Nobody wants to listen 96 comment(s) 
Never give up 88 comment(s) 
Why are we having problems with problem? 74 comment(s) 
Criticism: the unwanted mentor 71 comment(s) 
Pitfalls of instant gratification 69 comment(s) 
Success is nothing to be afraid of 69 comment(s) 
The caveats of blogging 69 comment(s) 
Crippling habits people embrace 68 comment(s) 
Success eludes mediocrity 68 comment(s) 
The essence of giving 67 comment(s) 
Love eternal 67 comment(s) 
The counsel of death 63 comment(s) 
Who is to blame? 62 comment(s) How to unleash your true capacity 61 comment(s) 
Lasting aspirations? 60 comment(s) 
Slave of the mind 57 comment(s) Finding myself beyond my identity 55 comment(s) 
Senseless arbitrariness 54 comment(s) 
The reason behind adversities 53 comment(s) 
The only thing you need to know to achieve your goals 52 comment(s) 
Excellent, post. The music is very calming and relaxing. I find that when I clear my mind and just be still, I can find answers to certain questions that have been running through my head all day. Usually this silence makes me more aware of what I already have in my life, and thus an emotion of gratitude comes out of this. Very insightful post here.
Thanks Baker. I believe that wisdom comes in our moments of silence. Allowing stillness on our minds lets the unconscious do its work in providing us with some insights.
Hello Walter,
Reading the post I felt as the thoughts were in sync with mine as if I was experiencing the events of my life.
I would like to believe that life is a bowl of cherries, but unfortunately it is not. Life is journey.
I came across this beautiful line few days ago: “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” This is so true!!!
Bye for now,
Cheryl Paris
Cheryl Paris´s last blog ..3x Thursday: You are missed!
Life is indeed a journey Cheryl. No matter how difficult it may seem, we have to pick up the lessons and push through.
Beautiful post, so true, yet so neglected concepts in our days.
Silence brings memories and introspection, and with it, growth.
The pain of the happenings, when faced with courage and serenity strengthen our spirit and enrich our lives.
In those moments of crisis, just to know our loved ones are still there is enough to fill our hearts with joy and reassuranse.
Raul
Alien Ghost´s last blog ..Earthquake in Chile
Our present time if full of noises. This is perhaps the reason for the many misunderstandings and confusions we experience in our everyday living. Only through silence can we allow our reason to make sense of things.
Amazing post.
The video was awesome, it makes me relax and calm. Don’t you ever watch the video lonely and try to use headphone, you will get what you have posted.
Reza Winandar´s last blog ..This is blog is now Do Follow
I’m glad you have appreciated this Reza. The video was very beautiful.
You climb those mountains my friend just watch out for loose rubble.
Jonny´s last blog ..Writing The Perfect Blog Post: Heart, Skeleton, Flesh, Skin and Polish Your Elephant
Most of the time, we may not see those loose rubble and we slip. Nevertheless, it should not prevents us from holding on and pushing through.
Walter, thank you very much for this very personal and beautifully expressed reflection. Our society is outward-pulling and filled with noise and distraction. Many of us have forgotten the power that moments of silence have to reconnect us to our own inner, authentic center. I am very grateful that living here in the mountains in Japan gives me many moments of silence that have deepened my self-awareness and sense of wonder in the web of life. Thank you for sharing your insights – Catrien Ross.
Catrien Ross´s last blog ..Catrien Ross on Blowing Out Your Negativity in A Puff of Positive Intention to Shift Your Energy
You are very lucky to be living in a place conducive to inner reflection. I live in the city and there’s noise everywhere, however I did not allow this condition to rob me of my moments of silence. I have found that having silent moments brings clarity to some confusions we encounter in life.
Thanks Catrien for your kind words.
Hi Walter,
You have written a very beautiful post. It’s true that it’s in moments of silence you can hear your soul speak to you.
And, wow, what a beautiful piece of music. That made my day.
Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Change Your Thinking Change Your Life 
Hey Jazz thanks a lot. Indeed through silence we can hear the voice from within.
Walter, what a lovely piece of writing. I will be subscribing to your blog, I love it. I guess I’m not the only one who thinks and feels this way about our lives and the obstacles we have to face. I felt this in my gut, and I can relate to what you write.
My motto, giving up is not an option.
I believe that we all have questions we want to resolve deep within ourselves. Upon deeper reflections I have found that the answers are already there waiting to be seen, but oftentimes our mind is so occupied with the noise of this world.
Thank you Maria for sharing with me.
Hi Walter,
Even though the innocence may be gone, I think that life is still magical and that anything is possible. We all will experience suffering and pain. Those are inevitable.
The key is to see those challenges as opportunities for mastery. There is an African saying which states that once you get to the top of the mountain, there is another mountain waiting to be climbed.
I have found that to be true. There will always be something to learn and to master. I think that is what makes life awesome. We are here to grow and to learn. Not to just sit back and eat chocolate.
Life is what we make of it. We are all handed lemons. The thing is that some people complain about the lemons and others take the lemons and do something amazing.
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..The Re-Invention Progress Report
As always Nadia thank you for sharing some wisdom for me to reflect upon. Indeed, life is what we make of it. We are always given a choice to either face life or deny its reality. To face life is the purpose of our existence.
Wow Walter. I don’t know what to say actually. I haven’t had that happen in a long time. Everything fit perfectly together. Also the song/video at the end of the article.
Julius Kuhn-Regnier´s last blog ..How to Make a Great First Impression Through Guest Posts
Thanks Julius. Remember, there is time for everything, if you allow yourself.
Walter,
Lisa´s last blog ..Insanity? 
How fascinating that our thoughts are somewhat similar as I posted today on my site. Life is such a learning process and we must be ever mindful of strengthening ourselves, or taking chance, in order to moving forward positively. Having lost my father this past year, I have undergone some serious soul-searching.
Thanks for your site.
L
How mind-opening isn’t it how we start to search for answers when adversities hit us. Life is all learning, just as what you’ve said here. No matter how much strife we encounter, we must remember that there are wisdom behind it.
I love the way you say that the spirit needs adversity and strife in order to grow strong. It’s a cool way of looking at it, because life can be damn hard!
Your site was one of the ones we gave props to with our post today. Enjoy!
Most of the time, we approach life in a wrong way. Unless we realize the nature of our existence we will never appreciate the hardships of life.
Thanks a lot having me on your post today.
Walter – thanks for a very personal and touching post. You clearly have a huge amount of inner strength. I find silence and contemplation helps us keep climbing life’s mountain and putting it into perspective. Much appreciated, my friend.
Phil
Phil – Less Ordinary Living´s last blog ..How to Make a Living doing what you Love
All of us have inner strength. It is only a matter of choice whether we use it or not. We will gain a lot if we choose to be strong.
Lovely post, Walter.
“have I been the kind of person I want to be or am I just the consequence of my past?”
I think, looking back on my life (and I am no veteran either), the most difficult and seemingly unfair times in my life were the times that have brought about the most growth in me as a person, and you’re right – the better we are able to withstand the hard times, the stronger and more developed we become as people. With every difficulty comes a choice – you can allow it to overcome you, and feel that life is unfair, or you can look at it as an opportunity for growth, and become better and stronger because of it. I am thankful for having the hard times in my life because without them, I would never have had reason to push myself and grow, so life can become more the way I’d like it to be.
Emily Jane´s last blog ..Protected: My Real Self Portrait
Few people do understand the wisdom behind every hardships we encounter in life. You are wise to choose to face your difficulties instead of escaping from it–like most people do. With every test that comes our way, opportunity for growth awaits us.
Walter,
Very well said. When we are experiencing adversity it is easy to lose sight of the growth we can achieve by surviving the experience. It is a great service you provide to remind us of the benefit of our sacrifice.
Best Regards,
Gregg
Gregg Zban´s last blog ..I Want It Now! Even if it is 3 AM!
Actually, it is within the conditioning of our minds that we resist any experience of adversity. Unless we becomes aware of this negative habit of our minds and do something about it, we will never experience growth.
Hi Walter.
I can almost guess your age by reading this post. There have been two times in my life when I could have written it. Once when I was (probably) your age, and another when I lost my mom and then my dad shortly after.
So my heart expands to hold you and your thoughts and questions and wonderings…
I watched a teen movie with one of my granddaughters called ‘13 Going on Thirty’ and heard one line that I’ll never forget. In the story, a young girl wishes her life away to the age of 30. What she learned about who she had become caused her a lot of pain. She didn’t like herself! It had all been too easy, and she had learned nothing. When she asked her mom if there was anything in her mom’s life she would change, her mom said, ‘No. Without the mistakes and troubles I’ve had to deal with, I wouldn’t have grown into me.’
Of course there was a happy ending, and the young girl returned to age 13, able to use those years to grow into herself.
I have enough years to know that Emily Jane has it right. Life is about becoming who you are created to become, and it takes your lifetime to do just that — warts and hurts and failures and all!
I love what Cheryl said about music. Listen to it — even the silence has a song — and look for the joy. It’s there…
Barb Hartsook´s last blog ..Learning Changes Us… or Does It? 
I have watched that movie many times and I love it. Oftentimes, our ignorance blinds us from seeing the truth. Without experiencing any adversities, our spirits will grow weak.
Time alone is time that I cherish.
Your words are very strong and devoted. 
Thanks for the message. 
Luisa Doraz´s last blog ..Peaceful Day….a poem* 
I also cherish my time being alone. There are a lot of things I see and realize during those times when I’m in complete possession to myself.
This is a beautiful post, and I don’t think that there is anyone who has not felt this way at least one time in their life. I have trouble quieting my mind. I know many believe that the good thoughts creep in when you make your mind quiet, but that doesn’t really work for me. I like to give a prayer of thanks when making my mind quiet. Sometimes the list is long, and sometimes it is short, but the fact that I always have something to be thankful for is a comfort to me.
Tina T´s last blog ..5 Signs That He Won’t Marry You
You are not alone in this predicament. I too have trouble quieting my mind. But despite the noise, I go beyond my mind to reach that place within me where even the rambling of my mind cannot disturb its inherent serenity. Step above your mind, and you will find peace.
If you live for today… if you live for this moment, all things are magical and all things wondrous. I strive to view the world through a child’s eyes always. When I sit in silence and as my mind begins to drift and settle, I get the palpable sense that I am on the verge of letting go. To me it is not a matter of strength or weakness. There is not trial by fire. There is just the serenity and peace of the flow in a wash of moments that comprise our lives.
Jason Zuckerman´s last blog ..Visualizing Psychology Canadian Edition
Most of us fail to see the beauty of the present moment. Instead we torture our minds with the illusory things of the past and the future. The truth is already before us, we just need to open our eyes and really see.
It is in these moments of silence when you really begin to speak. Once again we are challenged with the oportunity to listen; if we listen I believe this is where growth begins! Thanks for the post Walter!
Matthew
I definitely agree with you here. In my moments of stillness I’m actually speaking to my thoughts with regards to the lessons and observations about life.
I believe I have stopped rationalizing everything especially when I meet the enemy. I am wasting to much time and energy on others and should focus on positive people, people appreciate people like us and believe in our efforts. Great post.
That’s a good choice. Instead of focusing on things that make us miserable, we have to realize that we are not benefiting ourselves from seeing the negative aspects of life. The beauty of life is always around us, we just need to allow ourselves to appreciate it.
Dear Walter,
It is insightful that you share your experience, and that you encounter all that is within your own space of existence.
This journey is one of great accomplishment to thyself, and liberation is part of recognising our indentity is formed from wholeness.
Wonderful article.
Ana Goncalves´s last blog ..The Art of Attunement
Thanks Ana. Most of the time, the answers to questions lies in stillness.