My Sunday Thought for 08212016: Are You Already Dead?

There's no such thing 

as help outside of your mind,

It's you against yourself, 

with your demons intertwined 

It's a battle, hard fought, 

but never to be won... 

Either way you end up losing 

when it's all said and done 

"Too late" came and passed 

and, of me, nothing more 

I wrote my own ending, 

and I shut my own door 

"Live your life to its fullest" 

that's what they all said, 

But what's the point in trying 

when you're already dead? 

-- Rolo, excerpt from his poem, "You're Already Dead"

"Always with the negative waves, Moriarty, always with the negative waves," a classic line from one of my favorite tongue-in-cheek movies about World War II, Kelly's Heroes (1970).  But, is Oddball right when he berates Moriarty for always having a life full of negativity?  What does it serve us, our friends and family, or society as a whole, to live our lives filled with negativity?  If your life is that crappy then, like Rolo says in his poem, what's the point in trying?  Isn't this really like living a life already dead?

Every morning, almost, I get up and send messages to my close Facebook friends and family sending my love and wishing happiness, and the best, for another day which God has created for all of us to enjoy and make the most of. Many of them wonder how I can wake up so early in the morning and be that chipper. My answer to them is coffee and, "What's the alternative?"

I really came to understand, after 60-plus years of existence, that whatever is causing your poor outlook on life is truly a result of your own poor choices.  You can cry over them or try to make life better by either making the poor consequences of those choices work for you, or make better choices.  These are lessons which show us our mistakes.  When we make mistakes we need to admit we're a dumbass, learn from the experience and laugh at ourselves, then move on with a brighter smile, knowing we have learned something new this day.  What is our alternative, to wallow in self-pity?   Shift the blame to another dumbass?  Not an option.  Our situation is of our own making even if the choice was to remain in a bad situation.

“I won't tell you that the world matters nothing, or the world's voice, or the voice of society. They matter a good deal. They matter far too much. But there are moments when one has to choose between living one's own life, fully, entirely, completely—or dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands. You have that moment now. Choose!”

-- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), poet, playwright, author

I have learned that each day, good or bad, is simply another chance to excel; to show God your thanks for another terrific day of life in paradise.  If you don't see this, it truly must suck being you.  Nothing in life should be as terrible as you have made it, and it is you who have made it.  Bad job?  Change it.  Bad relationship?  Change it.  Bad area to live in?  Change it.  The point is, if your life sucks, change it, but for heaven's sake stop moaning and complaining, and wallowing in self-pity for bad choices you have made and feel content to live with instead of changing your circumstances.  The rest of us just don't need to constantly be subjected to your negativity.

Now, this sounds cold and heartless but, it isn't.  It is what anyone who really loves you should be saying to you and what you should be listening to instead of being perpetually miserable when you don't have to be.  If the people you think are your friends aren't saying this to you, maybe you should consider this part of your larger problem; find friends who care enough about you to tell you the truth whether you want to hear it or not.

Oddball:  Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?

Moriarty:  Crap!

-- Kelly's Heroes (1970)

 Having said all this, I will have to admit, there are times when events and emotions overtake even our best attempts at putting on a good face.  On occasion I have looked to the heavens and simply exclaimed, "Oh, crap!"  It is what you do after the exclamation which matters most.  For myself, I shake my head and smile, and then I go get a broom to clean up the mess.  So it is in life; you must learn to laugh at yourself in the direst of circumstances, and then get over it.  

One last note - I have also learned to look at people in an entirely new light, not relying simply on their outer beauty to define their inner self.  I still find myself stealing a glance at an attractive woman, but then, it evidences for me that I am not already dead.  The question still remains, "Are you?"

One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes... and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.

-- Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), former First Lady

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.