Great Actions

Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.

- Theodore Roosevelt

 

There are many versions of this thought throughout the spectrum of our society.  Elbert Hubbard addressed it when speaking on friendship, "In order to have friends, you must first be one." In religion, the apostle James teaches us that "...faith without works is dead."  The infamous "Golden Rule" even addresses the fact that it is only through our actions that we not only define who we are, but make a difference in the lives of those around us.

 

In the movie, Batman Begins, there is a scene where Bruce Wayne's childhood friend, Rachel Dawes, sees him for the first time since his return to Gotham.  This is a fantastic scene, and a powerful one that illustrates the vital importance of one's actions; how without them you are nothing.  Her message, and my message to you today...

 

It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you.

 

 

How is your life defined today? 

Calling all lions!
 

 

 

Raw Beauty and Power

There is a place where Brasil, Paraguay and Argentina all connect in one spot; it is a junction where the Iguacu River joins the Parana River.  A short distance upstream from this international divide is one of nature's wonders...As Cataratas do Iguacu or as we know it in English, the Iguazu Falls.

I have had the pleasure of experiencing this natural phenomenon in person, and it is something that you really have to witness firsthand to truly appreciate it.  As you can see above it is easily one of the widest waterfalls in the world, but ranks first in the fact that it displaces over 12,000 cubic meters of water per second.  The sheer power of that much water flowing over the edge creates such a force that as you walk out on the bridge (you can see it in the lower righthand of the picture above) to look over what is known as the Devil's Throat, you literally could be knocked over if you're not careful.  It is a thing of beauty that was just recently recognized as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.

Another distinctive feature of the falls is the fact that there are many islands dotting the landscape, and depending on water levels Iguacu can actually spread to up to 300 individual falls in this one location. Because of this, Iguacu Falls loses out to the Victoria Falls in Southern Africa for largest singular curtain of water in the world, and it is on this specific distinction that I wish to comment today.

Pictured above is the Itaipu Dam, the largest Hydroelectric Dam in the world.  It begins at the foot of the falls, and extends down just upstream from the point of Argentina, Paraguay and Brasil coming together.  It produces 90% of all the power consumed in Paraguay, and 19% of what is consumed in all of Brasil (keep in mind that Brasil is a land mass slightly bigger than our own in the US.)  Itaipu is a pillar and example to all of what a focused concerted effort can produce.

We have been blessed with the same raw power and potential inherent in the Iguacu Falls.  Yes, it is beautiful to behold; however, when inspected closely the splintered results leave one imagining what might or could be if it was focused and harnessed into one massive flow.  The result can actually be witnessed in the Itaipu Dam, and shows each one of us what our potential can be should we choose to harness that power stirring within each of us; what we can achieve if we apply our minds and focus on a singular goal and purpose; and ultimately what we can become if we consistently implement that level of effort.

We are a beautiful creation, each one of us individually, which in and of itself is commendable and noteworthy; however, it is only in tapping into that power and potential that we truly become immortal as was quoted yesterday...not only enduring, but conquering and prevailing!  So, the choice is left for you to decide...to merely maintain status quo, allowing the distractions of the day to carry you to and fro through life aimlessly and without purpose...or will you find the strength to center your thoughts, actions and being into something more....what will you choose?!

Calling all Lions!

Man is Immortal

I decline to accept the end of man. It is easy enough to say that man is immortal because he will endure: that when the last ding-dong of doom has clanged and faded from the last worthless rock hanging tideless in the last red and dying evening, that even then there will still be one more sound: that of his puny inexhaustible voice, still talking. I refuse to accept this. I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail! He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.

The poet's, the writer's, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.

-William Faulkner

Those were words given by William Faulkner as he accepted his Nobel prize in 1950.  I would never claim to be comparable to a Faulkner, or even a poet/writer in general, but I echo his words today as I believe we do have a soul capable of compassion, sacrifice and endurance beyond our wildest dreams...every one of us!  My hope is that this may once again become a place where we can hear that voice which helps us all endure and prevail.

Calling all lions!

Renewed Commitment

It has been far too long since I posted or consistently maintained this blog, but with renewed fervor I vow to return.  Calling all lions...who will heed the call?!