Wednesday

Nishi's Niche

The Winds of God are Always Blowing, but You Must Set the Sails

There is an ancient Arabic saying I came across years ago and which I have never forgotten because the words were so powerful and meaningful. It can be found in my diaries and on my walls. The author is unknown, yet their message remains: The winds of God are always blowing, but it is up to you to set the sails.

To the extent that we have the ability, we can accomplish or obtain almost anything we truly desire in our lives. All we have to do is “set the sails.”

Where the desire is strong, the will to accomplish that which we desire must match in strength and perseverance; therein shall lie the measure of your success.

Only two reasons exist why a person with freedom and ability, with sufficient intelligence and a healthy body, cannot accomplish his or her desires in life: a lack of will and a lack of disciplined dedication. To the extent we are able, with hard work and/or pursuit through connections and privileged access, as long as we persevere, our desires can become reality.

I qualify success, however, on the extent of our abilities. Life is a gift, but it is not fair. Some are born with more privileges, talents and freedoms than others. Then there are those who are born into lives where freedom is not even an option – where survival and life itself are the only goals.

Luck of the draw determines our lots in life, but, once we are given life, those of us with the ability and the will can shape our lives into whatever we wish it to be.

What if we lack ability? What if we desire to write, to sing, to act, to start a business and become a millionaire but do not possess the talents or connections for it? The world and all of human history are filled with the stories of men and women who had not wit or intelligence, who were poor and destitute, but who accomplished great things with their lives. They all had one thing in common: a desire so great that, no matter rejections or failures, nothing stood in their way – at least not for very long.

Set the sails in motion.

If you desire to be a great singer or a musician, work to become so. Beethoven was deaf but he is one of the greatest musical composers of all time. The real key to singing or creating music lies in the will in your heart to convey the song or composition properly. Vocal or musical lessons and proper training can help you become a better singer, pianist or violinist but no one will listen to a singer or musician who sings or plays passionless songs.

Similarly, if you desire to be a great writer, put pen to paper and begin writing. The story you have to tell is what is important – writing can always be improved. The desire to tell a tale that you are compelled to tell takes all precedence. Likewise, acting is a calling where the desire to act and lose oneself in another fictional character and setting, and convey what is needed, is what will determine the measure of your success.

If you desire to be rich, create your own ideas for successful ventures or support someone else’s. Invest in your own education and that could be as little as the cost of buying a book or going to the library or simply searching the internet for ideas, advice and options.

The desire to achieve what is at the very heart of your wish is what you must focus on and pour 100% of your energies and will into accomplishing.

You have to accept that when trying to shape your life into everything you ever wished it to be, you will fail multiple times. You will be rejected, lack money, time, often lose your motivation and spirit, even your hope, but if there is something you want so desperately, keep at it and never, ever, give up.

We who have working minds, arms, legs, hands and feet, with the freedom to live and be, we are the privileged compared to those born into lives of poverty, disease and misfortune. There is truly nothing and no one stopping us from accomplishing that which we choose to in our lives – other than our own conceived limitations. Obstacles can be overcome and limitations overpassed.

What of those who are limited and blocked by obstacles not of their own creation? Those who live in war-torn countries, under oppressive regimes, or under difficult life or financial circumstances? They lack the ability and those of us with privileges – of any kind – can and should intervene and make another human being’s life better. We should be their wind of opportunity.

All humans should have the right to know a life where they can be happy, know love, joy, peace and harmony, at least for a little while. If circumstances had been different, it could be any one of us who were the less fortunate without ability to capture opportunities that others have much more access to.

So take heart, you have the ability to “set the sails” and accomplish almost anything you wish to in your life and should not let anything stop you, if you truly desire something. Do not forget, however, the plight of your fellow brothers and sisters in humanity. Once you accomplish your goals, or even during the pursuit of your goals, cast a glance upon those who did not have the means you did, or the freedom to capitalize on even a fraction of the abilities or freedoms you were born with and set their sails for them.

The winds of God are always blowing, and you and I can be the breath of opportunity necessary – for ourselves and others.