My Gratitude

My inspirations for this have come from William Blake’s “Invictus”, Rudyard Kipling’s “If”, the war memorials I recently visited in D.C., and most importantly my own family and close friends.

 

~~~

 

In this chaotic life, I find myself often lost and wandering.  If this realm is made and ruled by some intelligence, then I thank whatever God or gods may be for my blessings.

 

I, like many others, should give thanks for everything I have, and all the sadness I have been spared, but I won’t.  There is something more, something at the heart of all the goodness in my life, and that is the one thing that I am grateful for most of all.  I thank the gods for my noble blood.  My family boosts warriors and healers, educators and problem solvers, hard workers and masters of fortune.  Where others are meek, we are bold.  Where others accept the rule, we push the boundaries for the greater good.  My close friends are of the same nature, and I am deeply happy that I have been able to find such good people in my life. 

 

As I think of the warriors in my family, a Soldier, a Sailor, a Marine, and those who came before them, as I stood before the monuments, as I think of all the good accomplished by others in my family, I feel insignificant.  I feel humbled in the best way possible.  While I am so very proud of what they have done and what they will do, I know that their accomplishments are not my own, and it sparks a fire in my soul to do what I must to make their sacrifices worthwhile.  I find myself drawn to be the best citizen I can, to give all I can, when I can, and to those truly deserving.  To divest my burden of ego and entitlement, and invest my potential entirely in making this world a better place. 

 

As I wander through the chaos I take comfort in my heritage, I think of the good examples of my family, and I follow the divine spark within me, given to me by my family, that leads me to live with honor.  In my dark and lonely moments, the thought of ensuring the innocent laughter of my family’s next generation lightens my heart and focuses my conviction.

 

My Oath

 

To help when I can,

To act when others stand idly by,

To thank those who also help,

To lead when others would only follow,

To pass the credit to those who truly deserve it,

To stand after falling,

To try again and again, until trying becomes doing, and the task turns from daunting to accomplished,

To work this hard, not for trophies or ceremony, but the simple humble praise conveyed in the handshake of one who understands the struggle,

To speak thoughtfully, and ensure my actions lend credit to my words,

To love those deserving of my love, and let them know that they are loved,

In the end, to earn and justify the life and love I have been given so generously.