Impossible Beings

There are times our world seems to be spinning out of control. We drift farther away from each other at the very moment we need each other the most. At times like these, it’s good to step back, take a deep breath, and remember the gift of having our place in the world.  

There are estimates that calculate our speed in the universe at 492,126 miles per hour. When you think about it, our very existence seems against all odds. Under such conditions and as our tiny planet races through the heavens, we are impossible beings. Nevertheless, we exist. We are occupying our tiny niche on our tiny planet revolving around a tiny star inside a tiny galaxy.

We are impossible beings, yet here we are.

Despite all these mind-blowing realities, we humans often believe we are in complete control of our world, both individually and collectively. We take for granted the improbable side of our existence. We get mired in the quicksand of our perceived reality because we forget actual reality. We make mistakes trying to establish control. We are improbable beings moving at 492, 126 miles per hour. We are not in control.

A big shortcoming of being modern, first-world humans in 2020 is we’ve grown to confuse free will with control. We are given free will through our faith, our culture, and, in America, through our Constitutional rights. We are not given control. Free will and control are not the same things.

I am blessed to live in this period of time, in this country, in this state, and in my incredible community. I have free will. I make choices daily. Big choices, little choices, choices that affect me, choices that affect others around me. Nevertheless, I am not in control. Rather, the way I used my free will each and every day is how I believe I’ll be judged in the end. 

Take a look around America in 2020. We have so much to be thankful for. We have so many things to give us happiness. Yet, we are as miserable and angry and as frustrated as we’ve ever been. 

Why the abundance of misery? 

We’ve confused free will with control. Instead of appreciating our free will as the gift it is, we expect everything to be exactly the way we want it to be. Then we compound that thinking by thinking we have the power to control change.

Change is hard. Change happens whether we like it or not. It’s up to us to recognize change and use our free will to adapt. When you step back, take a deep breath, and appreciate the fact change is inevitable when you’re traveling at 492,186 MPH, relinquishing control in favor of free will is not that big of a deal. We grow by moving forward. However, we can’t take steps forward when we refuse to move either foot.

Trying to control your existence leads to frustration and anger. Next time you feel the anxiety of the world spinning out of control. Breath deep and remember that the world is actually spinning. And it’s spinning while moving at an incredible rate of speed through the universe. Sure the earth is moving out of control, so don’t let that get you out of sorts. Ride it out. Instead of feeling frustrated, appreciate and accept that you are not in control. Appreciate you are blessed with free will and use your free will to make your world a better place.

Teamwork makes the dream work!

We are indeed impossible beings. 

But here we are. 

Make the best of it and enjoy the ride! Even if it’s at 492,186 miles per hour.

[Bryant, Henry] [from old catalog]