We live in a world of competition and comparison. Often there are images shown to us by advertisers, movie producers, and news outlets of those who are rich, powerful, “beautiful” (by ordinary standards), and successful in the worldly sense.

But what does this all mean, really?

Who are these people and why are they important? Some are truly doing work to help others, to protect the environment, inspire and uplift, to continue the struggle for social justice.  Others are simply showing off.

Who do you want to follow as a guide? Who do you admire in your heart?

What kind of life do you want to live and why?

There are many wonderful teachers, books, and philosophies to study and use as a guide for living and creating. And each of us has an inner compass that we can access.

We all have to make our own decisions and take actions based on our values, no matter how fierce or powerful the opposition.

There’s a wonderful poem called “The Way It Is” by the poet William Stafford. Perhaps it will help you as much as it has helped me to continue on my own, unfolding path.

“The Way It Is”
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
~ William Stafford ~

Even though William Stafford was a renowned and honored poet, only a fraction of his poetry was ever published. He continued to write until the day he died.

Whatever you are doing, want to do, dream of doing, keep on going.

“Everyone is born a poet – a person discovering the way words sound and work, caring and delighting in words. I just kept on doing what everyone starts out doing. The real question is: Why did other people stop?”–William Stafford