Tyranny of the Potential

Living up to your potential. What, if any, obligation do we have to our potential? Which potential? The one where you become a professional tennis player, or the one where you are the CEO of the largest company on the planet, maybe its the one where you solve the Theory of Everything? Who pays the price to get there? Is there any a price which makes the potential unbearable? the sacrifice of time with loved ones? the moments with my pets? the times I just... stare at the wall? Does this potential care about the trail of blood and bones that litter the path on its blind pursuit of glory? ... Is your potential better than you? A sense of inferiority to a figment of the imagination? Since when does the imaginary have more value than what Is? Do you have an obligation to anyone? 

Every choice has led you here. Glitter sparkles bright and captures the attention. That which is eternal, is always within reach. Have you been blinded by the Glitter? Eyes are not needed to see the eternal. A loving relationship towards oneself and others, good health, clarity of mind, a life of virtue. Striving to excellence, even striving to be great in being terrible, and even worse, to be great at being mediocre. No obligation to be anyone.

Time takes us forward. And sometimes, backwards? A process of self-revelation of everything already ocurred, watching a movie already written unfold? You can ride the wave, you can fight the wave, make sure not to drown. The future, unknown to all. Yourself, a walking hypothesis, never to become theory. I am, irrefuttable. I will be, unprovable. Impermanence, the only permanence. Be like water, a constant evolution. Every second of life a new reality, never to repeat, every moment a unique experiment. Validation from others, a biological fact, there is security in groups. Ought we eliminate it? Or do we structure our validation around the Ideal? Society, a powerful force equally for good and for bad. 

Set your compass to the eternal, its longevity has turned it dull, let not appearances deceive you. All novelty glitters brightly, it blinds. What is sought, need no eyes to be seen. What is sought is always present. What are you trying to prove? To whom are you trying to prove? Why are you trying to prove it? Clarity of mind, clarity of soul. All that increases life, vitality, good. Day and Night. Awake, Asleep. Life necessitates Rest. Muscles constantly tensed, leads to weakness. When one harbours the vitality of life, clarity of mind, and goodness in judgement, carry and lead us forth. When one harbours lethargy, fog, and error, lead not and carry only the essentials. It is preferable to not make a mistake, rather than allow for one mistake to spiral. Practice humility, recognize mistakes, cut losses early. The universe has its cycles, what makes you think you're not part? Highs and lows. Reality, continually coming in and out of Being; yourself, playing a part in unfolding it all. Actor and Spectator. Subject and Scientist. Agent and Observer. Explorer and Homestead. A paradox perhaps?

Change, the only constant, constantly changing. Recognise the essence of the moment. Life demands constant attention. Cycles within cycles, which cycle of all the cycles are we cycling? Able to recognise strength and weakness, in and out? Momentum can make one unstoppable, likewise, unstoppable to stop. Speed allows distances to be traversed quickly, the smell of a flower, the texture of sand, the gentle breeze of the ocean, all become a blur, speed equalises all. Timing beats speed, precision beats power. A single individual, slow and powerless in the face of everything. Time continually changes all, opportunities always coming in and out. The weight of Reality always shifting, what once was unmovable, now balances on a toothpick. 

Trees connect their roots, sharing life. Many roots create stable ground. A land deforested, landslides ensue. A Human tower requires many to create an unmovable base, and many more to catch those who fall. Stability and trust, preconditions for a single spirit to reach the top. One could have a million individuals and not reach more than a single person's height. The giant forest, continually evolving, growing, dying, healthy, diseased, prosperous, deforested. A single seed planted in a foreign field, immense strength required to weather the tests of Mother Nature. If successful, shelther for those to come. One better than another? Does this question even make sense? Trees can only reach the Heavens together. One's roots limit one's possible height. The collective strength of the roots of the forest, allow all to reach impossible heights. The Human tower, none able to reach impossible heights without souls of an unmovable spirit at the bottom, their greatest strength, their greatest weakness. Those who make the climb to the top, light and nimble souls, reach heights they could never sustain. Souls, neither of an immovable nor nimble nature, amass at the bottom, cushioning those who fall on their way to top. We clap not only for those whom reach the top, but to all who made it possible.  If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together ~ African Proverb. 

We all have our part to play. A performance to never be repeated. A once in an eternity chance to Be.