Before you begin this part of the course I recommend that you watch the movie Braveheart with Mel Gibson - even if you have seen it before. If you don't want to sit through the whole thing, then just watch the last 15 minutes or so.Take special note of William Wallace's reactions and attitude, as well as the result of his actions right at the end of the film.
Would you consider his life to have been successful?
This section will explore how we can be successful in our own lives.
Life is Difficult! Success involves accepting this, being willing to take the bad along with the good, and being willing to take a risk - even if we fail. It involves seeing failure as an opportunity to learn and to grow. Check out Worksheet 6 for some inspiration.
You just have to be willing to reach out and grab it. To fight for it. To never give up on it. There is always a risk involved - but true freedom involves risk and even pain.
That's why it is important to count the cost as mentioned earlier. To realise your full potential you will have to face enormous obstacles and setbacks and an incedible amount of pain and suffering. But that is how you will find true freedom. That is how you will discover life in all its fullness. To merely exist may be easier, but its nothing comapred to really living. As Granny Weatherwax in Terry Pratchett's Lords and Ladies so colloquially puts it:
The hard way's pretty hard, but not so hard as the easy way.
For me, this is most succinctly captured in the account of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his crucifixion. He realises that to achieve his purpose he has to willingly lay down his life. He has to suffer the humiliation of being wipped, stripped naked and then have a crown of thorns driven into his scalp and nails driven through his wrists and feet. He has to hang naked on that cross while those below him mock him, hurl insults at him, and gamble for his cothes. He knows all this and it is a painful choice to make to go through with it. In the garden, he wrestles with this choice. He begs for an easier way - if there is such a thing - but he knows deep within there is not. He sweats blood - a condition medically documented only in cases of extreme stress. The decision is clearly not an easy one, and yet, he still decides to go through it all. He could have run from it. He could at any time have given up the claims he had made or denied them, but he chose not to. And today, 2000 years later, he is the inspiration for millions of people. He has inspired the highest good in people for 2000 years. He is clearly the most influential person ever to have walked this planet. Sure, there are also those who have performed the worst evils in his name, but the good far outweighs the bad. He made a choice and he was willing to stick by that choice whatever the cost - and he did it not for selfish gain but because he believed that it would be the salvation of all who accept his sacrifice. The story of William Wallace in Braveheart is very similar. One man pays the ultimate price of his life and the result is life (fullness of life) for so many others. William Wallace paid for the freedom of Scotland with his life, but it was still the choice of those left behind to either accept his sacrifice or to go on living in oppression. To choose life or death. Jesus said, " I have come on order that they may have life and have it in abundance". He too paid the price for the freedom of others. The choice is still each of ours to make. Will you choose to truly live, merely to exist or to die?What don't die can't live. What don't live can't change. What don't change can't learn.
Leo Buscaglia tells of a man who is dying of cancer. He reflects on the life he has lived and has this to say:
If I had my life over again I wouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes next time. In fact, I’d relax a lot more, I’d limber up, I’ be sillier than I’ve been on this trip. I know of very few things I’d take so seriously. I’d climb more mountains, swim more rivers and watch more sunsets. I’d go more places I’d never been before. I’d eat more ice-cream and fewer beans. I’d have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones. You see I was one of those people who lived prophylacticly, sanely and sensibly hour after hour, day after day. O, I’ve had my moments. If I had my life over again, I’d have more of those moments. I’d have nothing but wonderful moments side by side by side and instead of living so many years ahead of my time. I was one of those people who never went anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, a parachute. If I had to do it all over again I’d travel lighter next time. If I had my life over again I’d play with more children, I’d pick more flowers, I’d love more. If I had my life over again, but you see I don’t.
We're given one life. Some may believe that we have more than one, but I personally choose not to bank on that. I want to make the most of the one I have right now. I'm not willing to gamble on another chance. I want to live this life the best I can. Don't allow youself to be paralysed by fear (especially the fear of failure - see only opportunities for growth). And do it NOW!
Leo also relates this poem written by a young lady during the Vietnam War:
Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car and I dented it And the time I dragged you to the beach and you said it would rain and it did, And the time I flirted with all the guys to make you jealous and you were, And remember the time I spilt the blue berry pie all over your car rug And the time I forgot to tell you that the dance was formal and you showed up in your jeans. Yes there were lots of things you didn’t do There were so many things I wanted to make up to you Things you didn't do
I thought you’d kill me but you didn’t.
I thought you’d say I told you so but you didn’t.
I thought you’d leave me but didn’t.
I thought you’d smack me but didn’t.
I thought you’d leave me forever but didn’t.
but you put up with me, loved me and protected me.
when you got back from Vietnam but you didn’t.
Why wait for another opportunity? Sieze the moment! Live each second to its full potential.
Do you realise the value of time?
There is little more that I can do or say. If you've made it this far it means you're serious about making the most of the rest of your life. Remember though, that it is tough. You have to "rope up". Get a group of people around you who can support you and encourage you. Don't try it alone. And, above all, don't forget, never give up!
If you have any questions, comments, criticisms, or if you just need support, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would love to help in any way I am able. That's how I am realising my potential.
I leave you with one final thought - the rest is up to you. Enjoy and let me know how its going.