11. June 2008 by BruceSmith.

Some years ago I had the opportunity to hear a tremendous speaker present a message entitled, “It Could Be Worse”.  While that admonition does not at once make our stress and despair disappear if we are facing big challenges, it does offer a bit of perspective.

This week I had the privilege of being reminded of this truth when I was given the challenge of speaking to a group of workers who are still on the front lines in the rebuilding efforts in areas still dramatically affected by Hurricane Katrina.  Its been three years now, and there are still areas where the devastation left by Katrina remains all too vivid.  Three years later.  Over one thousand days later, and some areas still have homes that have not even been torn down, and other homes, still,  with the dreaded search party spray-painted numbers and letters remaining, telling sad tales of death and loss.  Its hard to comprehend unless you go there and see it in real life and in real time.

What was interesting about my speaking engagement this week was the audience.  Actually there were two audiences.  One audience was a group of young adult Americorps workers who were, themselves, attempting to put life back together while helping others with the rebuilding of homes and communities.  Some of these young adults were there because they had to be to meet court directives, others were there to make an attempt to get their focus off of themselves and on to something “bigger”.  For each, the opportunity to look and move beyond a self-focus, was providing these young adults with a moment to impact the lives of others.  The idea behind the program is to allow young people with the odds against them to see what life can be when you are making a difference.

As I started to speak to these young adults I took a few moments to allow them to tell a bit of their own story, and to share why they were there.  Later, after the talk, they were given the opportunity to write down some  thoughts about the “storms” in their own lives.  The idea was to allow them a few moments to reflect honestly about life and its challenges, look at it realistically, and then consider that despite the tough realities of the past and present, life could have purpose and meaning.  In retrospect, what may have been most important about the entire deal was that after hearing me speak about having a purpose and a future, and hope amidst the storms, they were then thrust into service and spent the day working on behalf of others.   My guess is, even with the fresh thoughts of their own storms at work in their minds, they were forced to put the focus on others and were encouraged by their ability to do something which mattered beyond themselves as they hammered, cleared debris, and gave of themselves.   This is a critical point which I will elaborate on in just a bit.

Another group I spoke to was a group of young adults, college kids, who were in the New Orleans area, some for weeks or months, giving their time to rebuilding efforts.  What struck me was that each had their own life, their own story, and their own activities, but each had put all of that aside for a season to, again, give of themselves to people and communities they had not previously known.  And while their focus is certainly on those they are helping right now, it is clear that in taking the focus off of themselves, their comfort, their pleasure, and their own success, they were being built into better people.  For all of them, in some way, this experience will be a defining moment in their lives.

Here is the point.  What I have been reminded of lately, as I have wrestled with my own challenges, is that I must remember a couple of things as I go through life in this often troubled world.  The first thing is “It could be worse”.  Life is much worse for so many people.  In our American culture, a culture of staggering excess (which we all love a bit too much, myself included), we can fall into a pity party at the slightest thing.  There are people struggling with issues and realities far deeper and darker than my own.  While I cannot diminish my own real struggles, I can remember that it certainly could be worse, and I can be thankful what what is intact.  This helps a great deal in maintaining joy, focus, and a sense of hope.

Second, what is central to any life worth living and to maintaining a sense of perspective in life, is an outward focus.  Again, in a culture where “me” is the supreme ethic, we need regular reminders of this reality.

I recently spent a week in Beverly Hills.  And as I have previously written, the setting, while entertaining and beautiful to see, can very quickly turn on you and make you forget about life in the real world.  Beverly Hills, as has been sung about, has become the iconic ideal of the American Dream.  But if we think about this with any sense of sobriety and intelligence, we cannot help but recognize that this desire for excessive excess diminishes us as people.  When Beverly Hills becomes our goal can enough ever be enough?  If enough is never enough can we ever be truly fulfilled?  When a Mercedes must be upgraded to a Ferrari, and a Ferrari added to a garage already filled with a Rolls and a Lamborghini, and a Porsche, and a… how are we to ever find rest?  Where does it stop?  Where do we find time to look outward in such a scheme?  When we define life and people by the size of a home, bank account, or social network what are we to make of life when faced with the reality that none of that lasts?  When marriage partners become as expendable as watches and other trinkets, how are we to ever maintain relationships which get beyond what they offer us?

A constant focus on building a bigger kingdom, cosmetically enhancing an already largely artificial body, finding a new and bigger pleasure quest, and an all out thirst for MORE never brings us to a life of inner fulfillment nor does this kind of drive sufficiently medicate, heal, or restore our own brokenness.  One only needs to read the Hollywood tabloids to recognize this reality.

So, here is the deal.  If you find yourself struggling to make sense of your difficulties and challenges, and if you are awash with grief and despair, look outward.  Consider, while not abandoning reality, that in reaching out to others who are, indeed, in a worse spot, that you may find some sense of peace and purpose in helping others.  Rather that wallowing in your own misery, find a way to help those around you who have a significant dose of their own misery right now.  Recognize that if no joy remains in your life part of the cure may be an intentional pursuit of helping others.

When the challenges of our own lives seem overwhelming we can often heighten our mood and lift ourselves above the flood waters of despair as we look outward and seek to enhance the lives of others.  If we are to find the kind of life we were meant to live we must remember that life is bigger than us.  We were put here for a purpose.  That purpose is bigger than our own happiness and comfort.  While we can and should enjoy the blessings of this world and the good in our lives, we must never make the quest for MORE our focus.  If you want to get out of your depression, if you want to get out of a rut, find a way to impact the lives of others.  It could be worse.  It is worse for  many.  Make an attempt to make it better for someone else, and in the process you very well may find a bit of peace and purpose in your own life.

Bruce Smith

optimuslife.org

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6. June 2008 by BruceSmith.

Dear Bruce,

I am not a believer, but am searching, I guess, for what life is all about.  Last week in your Dear Bruce letter you wrote about the “Gardener”.  While the logic seemed pretty solid, I have been wrestling this week with the question, “Do I need a gardener?”  So, I ask you, why do we need a Gardener?  Can’t we just all get along? to use a cliche.  Help me understand.

Mike

Mike,

Your question is a legitimate one, and one which only a brave searcher will ask.  If you are asking the question honestly and really seeking an answer then I think you will find an answer which makes moral, intellectual, spiritual and personal sense.

I begin with today’s newspapers and headlines from across the country.  In the L.A. Times I read a story today of a former high profile billionaire/tech executive who was recently indicted on charges ranging from illegal sex, drugs, and corporate fraud.  This is the story of a man who, once he tasted the high life, needed an ever increasing supply of pleasure to fill the void in his soul.  The story reads like a classic case of a life lived without any acknowledgment of a Gardener.  Illicit sex, drug abuse, power abuse, egotism, and many other ugly things came to dominate this bright man’s life.  Now, apparently, he is headed to prison.

I also read, today, the story of a man in Connecticut who was struck by a car in the middle of a busy street with people teaming along the walkways.  The incident was caught on tape and the video revealed that no one rushed to help the 78 year old man who just lay bleeding and suffering in the street.  Apparently the video has caused a surge of moral grief and questioning in the community where it took place.

Still, today, in the headlines, I read a story of another man who after losing his job and finding it hard to find another attempted to medicate his stress and pressure by looking for sex partners on the Internet.  As his moral downward spiral played out he took the drastic measure of killing his own wife and daughter.  In the aftermath, of course, he is awash in grief and shame.

I would also like to highlight a recent trip I took to Beverly Hills.  While in the city for a week or so I spent a good deal of time eating with, interacting with, and watching the richest of the rich on their own turf.  Eating lunch one day in a very swanky eatery I sat next to a high profile writer and another Hollywood executive.  I could not help but hear the conversation which was one rumor after another, and which was filled with personal anecdotes about each person’s adventures in the therapist’s office.  On one evening I attended a jazz gig at a Hollywood insiders hangout out (not sure how I got in), and witnessed an aesthetically pleasing but very sad scene.  Everyone there was looking, clearly, to see and be seen.  I even saw one beautiful woman working the room handing out gifts (jewelry) to those who were clearly the most “in” insiders.  Being from out of town, and though wearing my most chic get up, not one person paid me an ounce of attention.  Everyone in the entire room knew someone, everyone but me that is.  Can you say “awkward”?  Again, listening in to the conversations and witnessing the activities over the course of a couple of hours or more, I was struck by the paradox of exclusive beauty and the overwhelming and singular shallowness.  Not of value was spoken about by anyone, and just about every person there that I overheard spoke only of sex, money, drink, and tabloid behavior.

I highlight these realities and could highlight many more simply to call your attention to how life pans out when we attempt to live it without regard to a moral compass.  Life lived for an audience of unending numbers leaves us, always, without inner peace and rest.  Life lived for another dollar always leaves us lusting for more.  Life lived for another thrill takes us to addictive patterns we seldom recover from.  In essence, without recognition that we live for an audience of One, we live for the moment.  Life lived that way always leaves us less than fulfilled.

What happens to those, for example, who lust to be “in” and never quite get there?  Or what happens in the heart of the individual whose entire life is defined by being “in” when the bottom falls out and they are cast out?  Where do they go then for companionship?

Thankfully, the Gardener of which the Bible speaks is one who, though an outcast Himself, desires that we all come to Him and be found “in” Him.  He does not despise the lowly, He exalts the humble, and He loves the unlovely.  His invitation is open to all, even the “in” crowd, but reality demonstrates that those thirsting to be “in” in this world rarely take time to hear His call.  That deafness of heart leads to the death of a soul.

In coming to the Gardener for life to the full we do not have to give up all the good things which come into our lives.  But we find in Him our compass, our passion, our purpose, and our aim which gives rise to the things we pursue.  In Him, in success and in defeat, we can find hope because we know our life is not meaningless.  We need a Gardener because without one, it is clear, this world and our hearts become less and less inclined to pursue beauty, truth, grace, compassion, love and humanity.   We were made for Him.  When we choose to live without Him life just does not make sense.

Bruce Smith

optimuslife.rog

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2. June 2008 by BruceSmith.

Is There a Gardener?

 In philosophical and scientific terms the issue of God’s existence is often expressed and debated in terms of metaphor.  One metaphor which has engendered a great deal of debate and inquiry is that of the “Gardener”.  Of course, the thought of a gardener presupposes the idea of a “garden”.  In academic settings this discussion of the “garden” refers to creation as a whole.  We are all aware that a garden exists.  The critical question, which rises from this awareness is, “How did the garden get here?”

 Naturalism, the belief that what we see is all there is, suggests that we live in a “closed” system.  There is nothing beyond the box, the world.  Furthermore, one way or another, this closed box system just “is” and exists without the help of a creator.  We must ask, “How does nothingness become something, anything at all?” 

 Theism, or belief in a creator, on the other hand, suggests that the garden, or world, exists as a result of a Gardener’s action.  Theism suggests that the Creator desired to bring something into being and thus it was.  This Gardener is the First Cause.

 Those are the basics of the academic discussion.  Two completely divergent views of the world.  You are probably already asking yourself, “So how does this apply to real life in the real world?”  You may also be asking, “What’s difference does it make in relation to my attempt at living life to the full?”  Those questions could not be more important to the focus of Optimus.

 So, let’s get right to it.  The significance of these two competing worldviews is nothing short of staggering and life defining.  If any of us are to have any hope of living a life worth living, we must resolve where we stand in relation to the Garden and the Gardener.  If you, like many in our culture, embrace the idea that the garden is all there is, then I would suggest that inevitable realities await you.  Some of those realities include a lack of purpose, meaninglessness, limited focus, moral inconsistency, and a selfish pursuit of life which will distance you from peace in the truest sense.  Lived out logically speaking, to its conclusion, it takes us all to places we would never want to go. 

 If we are willing embrace the idea that no gardener exists we also run the risk of a total loss of hope amidst the great struggles of life.  What is one to do, where is one to turn when life throws you a curve?  How does one make sense of the death of a child or loved one?  Further, what is love if no ultimate standard of love really exists?  Hitler, so what?  Enron, so what?  Murder, rape, slavery, …so what?  If no gardener exists then why is there any sense of “ought”?  If there be no ultimate source of truth, who has any claim of morality over us?  This, of course, leads to a world of chaos.

 If, on the other hand, we come to find that the Gardener does exist, we realize we have an ultimate source of direction, truth, and comfort.  When moral dilemmas arise we have a frame of reference for our conduct.  When pain shatters our life we can find care in the able touch of the caretaker of the garden.  Our work, our families, our conduct, our desires, all have a reason when the Gardener is brought into view.

 More critically, recognizing the existence of an ultimate Gardener secures for us an ultimate sense of reality in a world gone mad.  We can make sense of the seemingly senseless, and we can find a footing for the profound experiences of life.  The smile of a child which lights up a room makes sense only if the gardener exists.  The tender touch of a loving friend brings hope only if there is something beyond atoms and molecules.  And purpose arises along the journey and offers us a sense that we are headed somewhere and not into a meaningless void. 

 These realities provide us hope, passion and purpose to pursue and build a life worth living.  The garden we see around us, despite the difficulties that are apparent, offers us the irresistible compulsion that design and order are at play.  If you have ever stood in the middle of the Rocky Mountains and viewed a majestic waterfall you know what I mean.  If you have ever held a baby or witnessed a birth you cannot deny what must be “beyond”.  The sound of music speaks to us in ways so deep we cannot help but sense something beyond what we can feel, see, and touch.  Great works of literature (of which this is surely not one) take us to places that science cannot take us.  The wonder of this garden gives rise to an innate sense that a Gardener must be present.  And the presence of the Gardener suggests, clearly, that there must be a purpose.

 Our lives were meant for something.  We were created to be in relationship with the Creator.  In running to Him we find a life worth living.  Hiding from the reality of His presence brings only isolation and despair.  Look around you.  Notice the wonder.  Take time to smell the flowers, and remember the One who gives life to the flower itself.

 Bruce Smith

Optimuslife.org

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