Sowing and Reaping

“He must be Crazy!” “Is he out of his mind?” That’s the craziest thing that I have ever seen!” We can imagine all sort and manner of exclamations that would seem completely appropriate to the scene of Stevie Wonder driving off in the Driver’s seat of a big beautiful Bentley automobile. Surely the man knows that he has limitations that make such an adventure at least impractical, if not insanely dangerous. There can there be no doubt that he is aware of all of the rational reasons for his dismissing any idea of ever driving an automobile. But there he was … driving away with a look of absolute happiness and joyful freedom on his unconcerned face.

Have you ever heard any voice tell you that some idea or desire of yours was not reasonable? Have you been told that you were being impractical or unrealistic in your aspirations or dreams? Or, even worse, have you been taught that your yearnings or hopes were all flying foolishly in the face of a superimposed ‘reality’ that you (and indeed all mankind) are living under an “Adamic curse” that condemns you to the follies of “fleshly lusts and desires” that are not of “spiritual merit or worth?” Hence you should squash, disregard, and turn your back on any such aspirations and ignore any and all of your Individual or Personal aspirations … and seek only some set of mandated guidelines and behaviors. (Yes! I do speak from personal experience.)

If so, Dear reader, imagine all of the voices, advice, and opinions that must have been offered to Mister Wonder each time he suggested that he wanted to know that experience of driving a car. Don’t you just know that he heard all sort and manner of loving, caring, concerned, and sincere advice and counsel … all intended to redirect the focus of his Dream … into more “reasonable” considerations. But we all saw him drive off in that car. We watched the video tape of his laughter and exuberant joy as he did, indeed, take complete control of that magnificent machine and realize the direct and immediate sense of actions producing sensations. When he turned the wheel, he felt the vehicle respond. His pressure on the accelerator gave back the satisfaction of sensed increase in speed. Braking delivered the immediate and direct feedback of its application. He was controlling his set of experienced sensations … all of which he had only been the recipient of, prior to this moment of initiating the entirety of the motoring experience.

So, what made the success of the moment possible? Simply put … Stevie Wonder took responsibility for the entirety of his experience. He addressed each element of his abilities … and compensated for his limitations. He is physically able to perform the mechanical functions … and he employed coaches and assistants to ride with him and perform the tasks that his eyes were not able to perform. He has the ability to execute the driving maneuvers … but acknowledged the laws and regulations that protect all vehicle operators with specific rules and guidelines … and he situated his experience on the vast, uncluttered, and open expanses of a deserted airfield. He found and tailored an Environment that would support and encourage the fulfillment of his Dream. He shrugged off the confines and limitations of the norm … and made, for himself, a place where his Fantasy could fly.

He (Stevie Wonder) says, "There's a kind of excitement
about the idea of driving a car yourself.
I can feel me driving my car,
and it feels good."

18/06/2004 09:09

With an acknowledging nod given to that old adage “We reap what we sow,” I would point out that a great part of what we “reap” is made possible … or discouraged by … the Environment into which the “sowing” of our efforts is entrusted. For, My Very Dear Friend, what you and I “sow” … all that we initiate … whatever we generate, construct, enact, or do, is done in a “field” or environment that comes to us with its own set of influences and consequences. The very nature of the ground (if you will) in which we sow our efforts and commit our acts of constructive or destructive (as the case may be) behaviors has (as a natural aspect of itself) “fruits” to be dealt with. (And some of us have been blessed with far more forgiving and supportive environments, in which to grow and develop.) But to illustrate this business of "better grounds" let me share what I saw demonstrated.

Stevie Wonder did not discount his Yearning as illegitimate, unreasonable, irrational, or foolish in the face of the prevailing restrictions, limitations, laws, and confines of the usual setting for such a quest. He did not berate the System that denied him access to the fulfillment of his Desire. No anger, frustration, or bitterness found a place of welcome in his heart or mind. He simply created an environment that encouraged, supported, facilitated, and made enjoyable his realization of his Spirit's Longing. Might there not be a lesson for us all in this? If who you yearn to be is not supported in your present set of circumstances ... if you are belittled, mocked, or shown disrespect in the arena of your Present ... I would suggest that Mister Wonder's example might hint at the reasonable option of ... Change. Taking responsibility for your happiness and fulfillment might dictate making some alterations to your Life's environment. It the 'Seed' of your ideas and aspirations has found itself resting on the surface of a discouraging 'Rock' ... dig yourself a nice, welcoming place in 'soil' of circumstance that will support and encourage the blossoming and growth of your Personhood.

Now! Why do I venture here? Because, Dear One, I have, throughout my life, engaged my Self in the Cause of mitigating the suffering and pain of many, whose paths have crossed mine, whilst they needlessly bore erroneous condemnation for what they were taught was, solely, the result of some choice or behavior of their own election. Countless are the number who, at this very tick of life’s clock, are weighted down with that most sadistic of monsters … Guilt … inflicted by their belief that they are reaping their own personal fruit of their own sowing. And this in the form of sickness, infirmity, disability, misfortune, rejection, condemnation, hatred, or even, an untimely death. They have been trained to this belief, that they, and they alone, are responsible for all of the suffering that touches their lives. And, I have never in all of my three-score and soon-to-be-three years heard anyone say “Look at the field!”

Are we not all growing in a natural life-field that is replete with inherent maladies and adversarial elements? When we plant a new and delicate seedling, do we not pay heed to the preparation of the soil and environment that will be the bio/eco-world for that plant? We do that because we recognize that the fruit of that plant is vulnerable to all of the natural forces of the environment in which we plant it.

Is it any less so with each of us. Do we not all respond to the elements of our growth-environs? Have not family, neighborhood, school, church, friends, job, community, and even geography had an impact on us in every aspect of our development and daily function? I think … absolutely, Yes! So, My Friend, can we not accept the truth that what we perceive as the “fruitfulness” of our lives is going to be only-partly influenced by our own individual talents, abilities, and motivations. But, perhaps, that not-mentioned part ... our environment ... might just be subject to our resolve, as well.

So … when considering those “outcomes”, or consequences visited upon us in the course of this life … be aware (with an 'ear' that hears how the Vintners speak of the combined effects of soil conditions, vagaries of weather, and employed nurturing and care, on a particular vintage of wine) of all of the elements that influence the harvests of each day of our lives. Give every consideration to all that exercises an effect on your growth (those, clearly, of your doing ... as well as those beyond your immediate control) … and celebrate the successes that you have enjoyed over those difficult elements that might have had a detrimental effect, beyond what you have (thus far) brought to realization. Give yourself credit and honor for the attention … the love … the care and devotion that you are investing. Do not hesitate to grant your Self a hearty "Ya done good!" when you recognize your tiny victories and accomplishments. Then go forth from this moment looking forward to an even better harvest … a more excellent vintage … tomorrow.


And, please remember ... You have, as a constant Resource, a Friend who is happily ready, and lovingly willing, to provide whatever 'Compost' of experience and perspective, that you may deem useful, for your Spirit's nourishment and succor. For, don't you know ... I love You. [smile]