Time For A New Motto

A few weeks ago, you may have heard my latest motto: "without health you have nothing." You may have even agreed with me. For I am the ultimate first-hand posterchild for such a phrase. Once my health begins to deteriorate (only months after regaining it), I am (once again) enlisted into an army of dispair, waiting patiently for its return while surrendering to the unease of time in a bed-bound state.

BUT this is a new time. It is always a new time. Moments pass by and can never be relived or even imagined to the same extent. My recent setback brought me straight back to moments of my sickness last year, ones never to be compared. I spent awhile feeling as though I was retracing those torrid steps, one pace at a time, until I realized that it was only me who had made the claim of sameness.

This experience, just like every one before, is new. And in the struggle to not compare my past health with my current health, I have come to realize something more important than the experience itself: my life is so much more than the pieces that make up my day.

I am wrong; without health I still have so much.

I have friends and smiles and curiosity and juicy apples and daydreams and sunshine and hugs and late-night advice and baby giggles and hummingbirds and so much more that I have let go to the wayside by giving discontent its given name.

But no more. My health is important, that is the truth; however, my life is far more complex and enduring and cannot all be stopped because of this one important aspect.

My life will not be over as long as I am around to live it.

DETOUR

A few weeks ago, as I was traveling home I stumbled upon some unusual traffic heading up the mountain. Traffic never seems to worry me; typically it gives me some well-sought out reflection and replenish time.

The road was a steep grade up through the foothills, making it practically impossible to see any clarity in the horizon. The cars came to a stop. In the distance, a LED sign securing all of the commuters' fates: "BOULDER IN ROAD. ROAD CLOSED. DETOUR."

Enduring the delay, and not realizing at the time the profound metaphor that was created therein, I joyfully turned up the radio and took the longer way home.

This experience serves as a particularly important lesson to me at this time. Although there may be a boulder in your path preventing you from traveling the method you originally chose, the slowed traffic will find a way to its destination one way or another.

Perhaps in this metaphor my precise destination is unknown; however I will endure this DETOUR with the radio up and a smile of my lips.

The Importance of Education

Education is a lifelong process; in fact, it is the only process that you can begin with your birth and carry with you for the rest of your life. Therefore, it is crucial to find meaning and recognition in those aspects of your life that are there to teach you. Education does not only have to be found in a classroom, surrounded by chalk dust and sharpened pencils. Education can, and should be, everywhere.

Traditional education through academia is imperative in the journey of one’s life. There you will be introduced to the world of wonder: having virtually every subject, resource, and material at your fingertips. School is a foundation of truth and curiosity, provided that you let it be so.

In addition to traditional education, learning should not arrest there. A doorway into a world that exists for one’s own fostering and progression, school is just the beginning.

"I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led, and bearding every authority which stood in their way."

-- Thomas Jefferson

The wealth of education is upon you, it is within each one of us wrestling to get out and discover the world. Knowledge is the key to a happy and successful existence, with a bright splash of perspective and motivation, your educational pursuit can take you anywhere.

My Inspiration

in·spi·ra·tion
Pronunciation: \ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən, -(ˌ)spi-\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 a : a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation b : the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions c : the act of influencing or suggesting opinions

This term flows around my head, taking turns spinning and resting between my auditory canals and cerebrum. I am not sure why this appears to be the word of choice when complimenting me; however, I am NOT complaining... just trying to understand.

From what I can tell, perhaps people deem me inspirational because I have opened my eyes to the inspiration around me. I try to take that same "power of intellect and emotions" and hold it tight. I try to emulate it. I try it on for size. I hold a mirror to it to project your beautiful inspiration back at you.

And for this, I am certain, is the reason why I hear about me being such an inspiration. Where in fact, I have only become more aware of addressing it and using it from the world around me than most.

It isn't me... it is all of you who are an inspiration to me, and this is what keeps that big ball of earth and ozone in motion.

Taking What I Know

Lately, the Universe is trying to tell me to become a motivational speaker, or at least a motivator of learned experience, in some regard. I am trying to listen to this and figure out where to go next. With a class speech upcoming on Thursday, I have prepared a list of my own personal wisdoms to share in the same format in which this course was designed. So, I figure I will start by sharing them with my blog world:

LESSONS AND INSPIRATION by Ryan McLean

· You are responsible for creating your own reality. That includes both your prides and your limitations.

The way that you live your life is dependent upon how you see the world. After all, the world only exists for you through the way that you see, hear, taste, touch, and smell it. Your perspective is the key to finding true happiness within yourself and the world that you interact in. If you are unable to find happiness naturally, perhaps is just a case of altering the way that you perceive what is directly in front of you.

· Nobody knows how you’d react until it happens to you.

There is something to be said about experience. Without it, your reaction to situations would be far too raw and intolerable. You can never prepare yourself fully for any experience, and nor should you. The world opens up to each of us in various ways and there is no telling the way that it will be handled by each individual until sitting boldly in front of us. Trust in yourself to handle every situation with grace and truth.

· Joy and pain aren’t opposites; they are compliments.

For those who have experienced some of the lowest and darkest moments that they could imagine, have a special glimpse into a real sort of joy that couldn’t possibly be imagined any other way. It is only possible to recognize true happiness when both the face of fear and pain have been met, head-on. Take those instances of pain and use them as a stepping stone into something far more beautiful and permanent.

· The lessons you need most are all around you waiting for you to get the hint.

Those times in which you need guidance most is the time that you should sit back and listen to the wind, enjoy the way the trees dance, and wait for the universe to provide those things you have been seeking. Setting forth to find your own life’s lessons can be valuable and rewarding; however, many times it is far better to sit back, relax, and breathe into the day. Allowing yourself to be open to opportunities that may glance your way, is crucial when attempting to realize your true potential, because they may be otherwise missed if actively searching for something that may not be right.

· Force yourself to get to know you. An internal dialogue is absolutely normal and deserves to be listened to.

It goes far beyond talking to yourself. Your internal dialogue manages to keep you in check with the real you and can be far more valuable than one might think. This dialogue becomes more present when you unknowingly deviate from your true self. It is also a way for you to reflect upon the actions that you are currently making, paying close attention to the value that they have on your ultimate character.

· Challenging yourself is where you learn MOST about yourself.

Those times in which you feel most vulnerable and uncomfortable is where you can learn to let go of those things that you’ve placed for all to see and be the most true. When you set yourself up with a challenge, you are going forward towards a goal that you yourself has deemed difficult, yet rewarding. The process in which this challenge is made is what truly matters, along with the manner in which you poise yourself and react throughout its entirety. Life is one giant lesson in challenges and rising above your own self to be willing to dive into them.

· Believe in the present, accept the past, and hope for the future.

For all intents, the only thing that you have is right now. The past can only be remembered and the future one can only dream. What matters most is the moment of the present. Right now you are capable of rewarding adventures, mind-tingling thoughts, and the deepest perceptions of the surrounding world. Take it all in now; for it’s all you can be sure of.

Three Cups of Me

You know that question where you are supposed to decide on one person that you'd like meet, no matter the era or locale? Until just recently, I have never found a soul to completely fulfill that specified question.

After becoming mesmerized throughout the pages of "Three Cups of Tea," I discovered the work of Greg Mortenson and became enamored. He is a man who understands the value of education and the global impact that it can have when the specific efforts are applied. What's more, is that he took that understanding and created a tangible and proactive organization that has blossomed over the past decade or so.

So, not only did I come to find my answer to that question; but the reality of that scenario actually occurred before I really had a chance to imagine how it would even play out.

Yesterday I, with the persistence of my new, yet dear friend Christiane, found myself at an event where tea was the scaffolding for creating bonds and inspiring communities. Rubbing my eyes several times in disbelief, I sat among the graceful and the powerful and the charitable. Greg Mortenson flowed through the room, so light on his feet-- astonishing for someone of his grand stature. Not missing a smile, he moved around the room shaking hands and making acquaintances. As he neared my table, my heart began to shove the blood, rather forcefully, through my extremities and up to my head. It was trying so desperately to give me a better ability for intelligence.

Finally, he made it. A good friend of mine, Dave, sat next to me as my confidant for the day. He was the first approached by Mr. Mortenson. They shook and exchanged. It was now my turn...

"Hello," he said with giant hand outstretched.

"Hi, you already signed my book." Was the only thing that came out.

"Oh. And what is your name?"

"Ryan."

"Pleased to meet you, Ryan." And with apparently nothing more to say, made so by my indifferent-seeming answers, he left.

Seriously? Was that all I had to say? What about all of the questions that I have pondered for months on end about the inter-workings of his organization and the future of expansion into other territories and the concept of global education and all of the billions of other things that have kept me awake at night bouncing from synapse to synapse? What went wrong? Why couldn't I have come up with something, anything to say?

But that is when I realized, it wasn't to be that way. For that instant, he was sensationalized. He was a rockstar and I was a groupie. There was no room for a meeting of the minds in this concert hall. I was in no place to conjure up the greatest part of this man, and nor would I ever. And that is okay. I don't need to express to him neither love nor gratitude. I don't need to beg him questions.

What I need is to continue to learn and grow from those people around me, however close or far. I will take in little parts from each to create my own whole. I have no need to become someone that already exists, for that is far too overplayed. I will, though, take Greg Morteson's wisdoms and graces and courages and impulses to carry my own self to wherever it is that this soul might travel next.

It's Been 13 Years...

Since I was a kid.
Since my world seemed simple.
Since I jumped down stairs.
Since I believed that everything was only one way.
Since I used a kickboard.
Since things felt too hard to try.
Since I stubbed my toe.
Since I have been afraid of needles.
Since I could remain anonymous.
Since elevators weren't on my radar.
Since I wondered about my purpose.
Since life happened only on TV.
Since I was too young to understand.
Since history was something read, not created.
Since I questioned my character.
Since I did a cartwheel.
Since I lost in arm-wrestling.
Since the world revolved around me.
Since I needed others to make me feel good.
Since magic was only an illusion.
Since I saw obstacles as a bad thing.
Since I sat in darkness.
Since I found myself.