Time to live

“Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living?”

-Bob Marley

When it comes down to living inspiration Bob Marley has my nomination. Throughout poverty, bullying, racial prejudice in his younger years he throughout his career attempted to communicate a message of love and freedom in a world of hate. Instead of becoming bitter and angry when gunmen tried to kill him and his wife a couple days before the "Smile Jamaica" concert (1976). He instead got up brushed himself off and went forward to perform the concert as scheduled with the same message and goal in mind.

Will Smith in 2007's "I am Legend" echos Marley's voice in that instance;

"He had this idea. It was kind of a virologist idea. He believed that you could cure racism and hate... literally cure it, by injecting music and love into people's lives. When he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally, a gunman came to his house and shot him down. Two days later he walked out on that stage and sang. When they asked him why - He said,
"The people, who were trying to make this world worse... are not taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness."

Wouldn't it be nice for the everyday person to take that approach to this life we are living?

Don't you just wish that the guy who cut you off in traffic while drinking coffee, talking on a cell-phone and changing c.d.s could just take one second and listen to Marley's single "Three Little Birds" and realize that this life is not about rushing by at the speed of light.

This life is not about how much you can possibly cram into your schedule in a single day, or how much wealth you can accumulate by nickel and diming every place you attend.

This life is not about accumulation and materialism!

Why are we here then?

We are here to invest in others; to create relationships and bonds with others. To help those less fortunate than ourselves, to appreciate the things we do have instead of racing to pack more into our garages.

The celebrities of now will be forgotten and replaced, in a couple years no one will talk about Britney Spears or Lindsey Lohan. Yes they are rich but they are some of the unhappiest human beings there are.

On the other hand, lets take an example from Brad Pitt, a celebrity who like Britney and Lindsey is worth millions, who is taking some of his wealth and using it to help others who are still reeling from the sheer destruction of hurricane Katrina.

He said in an interview with NBC that;

Pitt: Man, I got kids now. And it really changes your perspective on the world. And, you know, I've had my day. I've had my day. I made some films and I've really had a very fortunate life. And it's time for me to share that a bit.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13893602/


What a great perspective to take on your career. It's about giving back to the communities.

It's about being selfless not selfesh.

In a recent sermon at Elmbrook church Senior pastor Mel Lawrenz concluded that the number one cause of shortened life span is stress. Something we as Americans know nothing about right?

He also concluded that one of the highest causes of stress in this life comes from accumulation.

http://cometothebrook.org/
"How Can I Manage the Pace of My Life?"

Where am I headed with this? I'll bring it around full circle...


“Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living?”

-Bob Marley

Essentially as Marley states, we should be looking within each day and asking ourselves this question; are we happy with who we are and what we are contributing to our community?

Are you the type of person who loves things and the accumulation of things, loves to fight and argue for the sake of arguing, or likes to work until you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders?

Or are you the the type of person who can afford to take time out of your busy busy life and invest it in another?

I am sure that America as a whole would start to look a lot better if people took a few seconds to reflect and to make a small change in their lives...