Daily Mood Quote
Day 82 – July 24, 2011
Because if you have a strong foundation like we have, then you can build or rebuild anything on it. But if you've got a weak foundation you can't build anything.
~Jack Scalia
On July 17, Day 75 of the Daily Mood Quotes blog, Tim Robbins said, “Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” Flexibility, the first “F” in a series of principles that we try to live by. We didn't start out by naming these principles and bending our lives around them, this has been a gradual evolution. We have come to these connections and associations over time, decades. Life's work in progress.
The second “F” is “Foundation.” The reason we put it second is because the first “F” is so critically important in today's ever changing, rapidly evolving world. However, flexibility without foundation can be like a leaf blowing in the wind. When the leaf is anchored to the foundation of the tree, it has purpose and potential. It's able to contribute to the overall health of the tree and is in turned nourished and protected by the tree. Its connectivity to the “bigger picture” helps it to fulfill its first best destiny. While on the tree, it can blow, bend, twist and nod in the strong winds and gentle breezes of life (flexibility). But, once it departs the tree (its foundation), the purpose is lost and the leaf, driven by the wind will eventually wither and die. Make no mistake the universe wastes nothing and its energy is absorbed and recycled. But, at the point it leaves its foundation, its net positive contribution ends. It is doomed to entropy.
The foundation I'm speaking of isn't based in any particular religion or belief structure, it is built into our very humanity. We needed to learn to get along, long before formal religions. Individual contributions are good and important, but without a foundation of civil behavior, we wouldn’t even be here. The foundations of family, consideration and working with others, plus the understanding that we are but a step in a longer process are key foundational elements for life. Just like the leaves, we are unique, individual and beautiful in our own manner. But when we connect, we are both nourishing to and nourished by a larger purpose. We can find our first best destiny.
In the movie, The Money Pit with Tom Hanks and Shelly Long, Philip Bosco as head contractor Curly says to Walter (Tom) and Anna (Shelly); "No, this wasn't an easy one, but the foundation was good, I'll say that... And if that's okay, then everything else can be fixed."
The “storms of life” (thanks Randy Travis) can blow us this way and that, and they can even tear at our very fabric from time-to-time. But if we hold fast to our foundation, well like Curly said, “then everything else can be fixed.” My husband says “The sun always shines after a storm.” and if you hold fast to a good foundation you'll be around to see it.
Are you connected to a good foundation today?
Tune in tomorrow to read the daily mood quote
The next “F” will be released Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thank you for reading
No comments:
Post a Comment