Victoriously across the finish line (see previous post)

Dear Anonymous,

Crossing the finish line is undeniably cliché, quite general, and maybe even a bit indirect or obscure; but, my intent was to use a time worn metaphor to suggest keeping my focus on a goal.  In this case the metaphor might be applied to several milestones.

Do I mean “when my life ends.”? As we take the Apostle Paul to mean when he says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course?”  Yes. 

Do I also mean that I want to hurry up and cross the finish line (die) as soon as possible?  No. (Although there is some truth, and I identify somewhat with a poem we read in high school about it being best for heroes to die young while the fame of their deeds and the laurel wreath was still fresh-before the applause dies down and they are forgotten).  But, heavens!  I need to do something to be lauded and wreathed for first!

 Do I mean that I want to run several successful races, meet several substantial goals along the way?  Yes. I am not putting all my effort, pinning all my hopes, on one gigantic race or project that concludes when life ends. 

 As a recovering co-dependent, recovery/emotional health is one of those substantial goals.  In the past, my yearning and longing has focused on being loved and approved of. It has been my tendency to strive to make myself indispensable, to find my fulfillment or alter my mood by meeting the needs of others (and thereby claiming their praise and approval). While it is a fine thing to give of oneself; it is dangerous to live one’s life solely to meet the goals of someone else.   It is the most irresponsible thing a very conscientious person can do. My goal right now (from which I must NOT be deterred by longing and yearning) is to “Be all that my creator intended for me to be” (and that’s not an Army ad).   I have additional, more specific, short and longer term goals regarding my writing and my music.

In conclusion, when I wrote, “may I harness the yearning and longing and let them be a matched team that pulls my chariot victoriously across the finish line,” I was referring to short term goals, long term goals and final goals.

Perhaps Emerson expressed it more succinctly when he penned , “Sail into port grandly; or be content to sail with God the seas.”

2 thoughts on “Victoriously across the finish line (see previous post)”

  1. Thank you for addressing my question. I like your Emerson quote.
    And I like your quote, “Be all that my creator intended for me to be.”
    Emotions are often on the run, easily lost in chasing trivial matters.
    You are a wise young woman. Your focus is not lost on trivial things.
    You are indispensable to God. He loves you. He wants you to be exactly the person you are, with all your strengths and with all your weaknesses. God made you that way. Accept your weaknesses and let God help you play to your strengths. Other people will always disappoint us. Remember, God made them, too. Accept them for how God made them and enjoy their strengths while understanding their weakness. You don’t need their approval. After all, we want to be all that God intended us to be, not all that someone else intends us to be. God has given you great passions. Follow them. They are your strengths. You can enjoy being the person your Creator intended you to be. I believe our weaknesses are there to keep us humble. We wouldn’t be the same unique person without them. P.S. Your writing is also a strength. Rich, deep and thoughtful.

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