Spirit without ability

"Industry, technology, and commerce can thrive only as long as an idealistic national community offers the necessary preconditions. And these do not lie in material egoism, but in a spirit of sacrifice and joyful renunciation."
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf

By spirit, I do not mean the Holy Spirit, nor that non-physical part of a person manifested as an apparition after their death: a ghost, or a supernatural being; and definitely not that inebriating stuff of men and gods alike which many humans feel to be beneficial than any holy water.

But those qualities regarded as forming the definitive or typical elements in the character of a person, nation, or group or in the thought and attitudes of a particular period; and the quality of courage, energy, and determination which humans exhibit not only determines a persons mood or attitude; but also their spirit.

Ability, on the other hand, is talent, skill, or proficiency in a particular area, and the possession of the means or skill to do something. If, spirit is like the wind, in that we cannot see it, but can see its effects which are profound; then ability - especially natural ability - has more often raised many a men to glory and virtue, even if they were without education, more than those with education but without natural ability.

People with spirit and ability make good places better, and better places even better, by rising above the deceptions and temptations of the mind. Yet, spirit without ability on a battlefield would lead to a gruesome death. Likewise, in life, it would lead to severe frustration and disappointment.

Humans seek a harmony between body and spirit, and spirit and ability. Yet, ability without honor is useless, as is ability without opportunity. Ability, unlike the human spirit, is dependent on our choices.

In fact, far more than our abilities, our choices show us who and what we truly are. Human beings have a broad spectrum of qualities; but it is the worst of these that are more often than not, emphasised.

The result, too often, is to dishearten us, diminish our spirit. Yet, historically, that spirit refuses to surrender.

Our spirit is mightier than the filth of our memories and therefore, unlike instinct, the spirit finds a way to be born, whereas instinct seeks for ways to survive.

That may be why "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds" - said Albert Einstein. If our innermost spirit is one with all being, we can remain undisturbed by the multiplicity of our world, and even the universe, in spite of all opposition.

Outfoxed

We are the children of the earth and the cosmos; and removed from her, our spirit withers. Thus, do not make the body do what the spirit does best, and do not put a big load on the spirit that the body could easily carry. Instead, be like a leaf on the wind, and watch how you soar. When I hear someone talk about a horse or cow being stupid, I figure it is a sure sign that the animal has somehow outfoxed him.

Destiny is real. She is not mild-mannered. She will come around and hit you in the face, knock you over; and before you know what hit you, you are naked - stripped of everything you thought you knew and everything you thought you did not know - and there you are: a bloody nose, bruises all over you, and naked. That is what spirit without ability does.

Within the game called life, we become pawns; and in this life we are either, kings or pawns; emperors or fools.

As we grow older, much older, we will experience many things in life; and many a times we will hit rock bottom - repeatedly. Again, and again, we will suffer; but again, and again we will get back on our feet. We will not be defeated. We will not let our spirit be, destroyed; nor ability denied.

Thus, with will and energy, virtue and purity, like a leaf on the wind, we will soar: as long as we have spirit and ability.

Normally, a man's spirit is free, but his pride binds him with chains of suffocation in a prison of his own insecurities.

Mother Theresa said, "There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter."

We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly, the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and answer in extraordinary ways.

Human spirit is the ability to face the uncertainty of the future with curiosity and optimism. It is the belief that problems can be, solved; differences resolved.

It is a type of confidence; and it is fragile. It can be blackened by, fear and superstition. Our soul would have no rainbow, had the eyes no tears.

My life: I grew up out of that strange, dreamy childhood of mine and went into the world of reality. I met with experiences that bruised my spirit - but they never harmed my ideal world.

That was always mine to retreat into at will. I learned that that world and the real world clashed hopelessly and irreconcilably; and I learned to keep them apart so that the former might remain for me unspoiled. I learned to meet other people on their own ground since there seemed to be no meeting place on mine.

I learned to hide the thoughts, dreams, and fancies that had no place in the strife and clash of the market place.

I found that it was useless to look for kindred souls in the multitude; one might stumble on such here and there, but as a rule, it seemed to me that the majority of people lived for the things of time and sense alone and could not understand my other life.

So I piped and danced to other people's piping - and held fast to my own soul as best I could.

If you let people break your spirit and detour you from your path, then you have not been true to yourself or those you are here to touch, those who believe in you.

Chess

Life is like a game of chess. To win you have to make a move. Knowing which move to make comes with insight, and knowledge, and by learning the lessons that are, accumulated along the way.

A belief without the belief is to sing a song without the tune.

Hence, live to learn to love. Learn to love to live; and love to live to learn. That way, you may live the life that you yearn.

A pure heart does not demean the spirit of an individual; it, instead, compels the individual to examine his spirit.

Hence, walk with the dreamers, the believers, and the courageous - the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it.

For views, reviews, encomiums, and brick-bats: [email protected]