The Question I Asked
It was a big one!
Not long ago, a friend of mine told me this story about George Washington Carver. It took me a moment to find any reference of it online, but if it’s correct, it’s very intriguing.
The story goes that George asked God to tell him what the universe was created for. And the answer that came back was essentially, “that’s too big of a question.” Then he asked God to tell him what man was made for and got the same answer, “that’s too big of a question.” He finally asked God to show him how to use the peanut to bless mankind and THAT was something that could be shown to him. Look what George Washington Carver did with the peanut! Over 300 inventions!
Guess it was a pretty big question after all.
Upon hearing that story, I thought about my own journey over the past few years. My life had been turned upside down and I was really struggling with it. I spoke to many people, searching for ways to navigate a very difficult situation. And, in one form or another, they kept telling me that I needed to surrender. That I wouldn’t find my answers until I did so. And the question I kept asking in response was, “What does that look like?” What did it look like in my situation?
I wanted to surrender. I just didn’t know how to do it.
When I heard the George Washington Carver story, I remembered all the times I had asked, “What does it look like to surrender?” I thought about all the times I felt frustrated, confused, angry and completely overwhelmed the past few years. And I thought to myself, “Why did I have to ask that question?” Lol.
It’s been quite a harrowing process to gain even a tiny bit of understanding of the concept of surrendering to the Will of God. I don’t know if that’s really my life’s journey or not. Maybe I’ll be meditating on what it means to surrender long after I’m gone from this world. But I do know that there is another question I’ve been asking over and over. And it’s the one that I’ve chosen as my life’s mission. It’s also one that I’m realizing is a lot harder to live than it seems. But it’s one that I’m determined to follow through on.
What does it look like for me to live a more sacred life?
That’s the question. The journey I’m truly in. I believe that surrendering is but one aspect of a more sacred life. So, this is a much bigger question. I don’t know if that’s too big a question or not. Definitely too big to answer all at once. And I think it’s possible, given my struggles, that there were subtleties (like learning to surrender) that I needed to become aware of in order to even begin to approach an answer to that question.
One thing I do know is that the process of living a more sacred life does not look the same for me as it does for other people. That’s part of the beauty of life. Every human being is different. And that means that each person is in their own journey. One that is unique to them. So I can’t tell anyone else what it means for them to live a more sacred life.
With that said, one thing that’s sacred to me is learning. I’ve always loved to learn. I’m attracted to things that expand my vision and help me see life in new ways. And, in my mind, learning is useless if it’s not shared. It’s like an unopened book on a shelf. The information doesn’t do any good if you don’t open it.
So, I’ve decided to be more of an open book. To share my own journey. To offer what I’m learning in the hopes that it may inspire people in their own search for a more sacred way of living.
Living a more sacred life involves so… many… things!
That’s why I know it’s a lifelong experience. It’s every aspect of my life that I’m seeking to uplevel. Relationships. Adventure. Joy. Service. Expansion of the mind. Financial prosperity. Making my contribution to the world. Health and well-being. Spiritual growth. Creativity. Connecting more deeply with this beautiful earth that we live on. I could go on and on.
It’s an entire life. An interwoven tapestry of magic presented as the ordinary day-to-day experience.
I’m sorry to tell you that I don’t have any answers for you. Only questions. Questions is where the magic has been for me. And in seeking out the answers that are unique to me (though I’m sure much will be relatable to other people in similar processes of learning).
I share my journey, not as a guide, but rather as a doorway. An opening for you to explore your own questions. Seek your own answers. Find your own magic. As I’m certain you will, if you opt into the journey.
As much as I’d like to tell you that the journey toward a more sacred life looks like walking on a handcrafted cobblestone path surrounded by evergreen trees. Peaceful, inspiring and beautiful. The truth is, seeking a more sacred life is not for the faint of heart. It requires growth and change. And one consistent truth I’m finding is that growth and change is uncomfortable.
It calls us to walk through far more uncertainty than we’re used to. And to embrace the unknown. But, on the other side of that discomfort lies delightful experiences. Aha moments. Mind-blowing revelations. Pure joy. And a whole lot of laughter.
So, I’m excited to share what I’m learning. Partially because, as a former teacher, I know that whenever you set out to teach, you inevitably learn. And I’m thrilled at the prospect of learning from the people in my world all of the brilliant things they’ve been finding in their own search. For me, that’s the true adventure. One that I’m quite honored to be on.
And, if George Washington Carver can come up with over 300 inventions from something as simple as a peanut…
I wonder.
What can I do with MY question?
