religion |riˈlijən|
noun
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods : ideas about the relationship between science and religion.
• details of belief as taught or discussed : when the school first opened they taught only religion, Italian, and mathematics.
• a particular system of faith and worship : the world's great religions.
• a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance : consumerism is the new religion.
tradition |trəˈdi sh ən|
noun
1 the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way : every shade of color is fixed by tradition and governed by religious laws.
• a long-established custom or belief that has been passed on in this way : Japan's unique cultural traditions.
When on the topic of Tradition, a quote from Oscar Wilde often springs to mind.
"Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live".
These so called beliefs and traditions that are meant to be wisely 'passed on from generation to generation' in my perspective, are no longer practiced that way and these days, instead are rather forced upon your children, your children's children and your children's children's children.
I see the importance of having traditions and values, but having them forced on you, if you're an active audience will only provoke you in questioning it rather than abiding by it. And myself, having questioned it constantly - would like to voice out my opinion. This is of course my point of view and mine only - but I strongly believe that traditions are nothing but a big mash up of contradiction.
It may seem that as you're reading this, that I'm probably giving you the impression that I as a person has no traditions or values. If that's what you're thinking, then I assure you that you have sorely been mistaken. No, I don't believe in following traditions for I do think that they are the catalyst for a lot of the worlds and peoples mishaps. Though I do believe in having your own values and morals.
As I've grown throughout the last few years, I've come to realise through experience and observation, that the only way to stay sane, survive this world, survive this life and be truly happy is to follow your own heart rather than the voices that surround you. Yes, I know, as cheesy as it may sound but it is the truth. So many people lead their lives doing what they've been told to do, what they've been pressured to do and never end up happy.
"People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don't deserve them, or that they'll be unable to achieve them."
There comes a time in a persons life when they realise their capabilities, their potentials and that they have the power to pursue the things they want to. This is the "Holy shit. I can totally do this on my own now!" moment. This moment is incredibly mind blowing if you ask me, where all of a sudden you start seeing the world in a different light, you begin to see a window of opportunity everywhere, in every day, in everyone, in everything. And it's the most exciting and liberating feeling ever. Yet something always gets in the way, and most of the time, its other peoples voices getting in your head.
"Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a very threatening place."
See, reality is, you can do anything. Really. It's the truth. "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting." But certain things and people will often - not-deliberately of course, discourage you from doing what you want most. I don't know what it is or why it is they do it. But they do. A lot of parents will almost make whatever dream of yours it is seem impossible to reach and leave you thinking that it's only something you could ever dream of rather than helping you turn that into reality. They often do this because it is in their nature to protect you because they know how harsh the world is out there. Often it is because of their own life experiences that scares them into thinking the same will happen to you. It is hard for them to understand that everyone has a different destiny. Different people, different outcomes. But of course, being parents, the last thing they want to see is you being pushed around, upset and disappointed. But hey, it's a harsh world out there and the only thing they can do and most probably should do is support you and be there with you when you battle the storm. "Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure."
I firmly believe that while it is incredibly vital to acquire someone else's opinion other than your own, for assurance, that in the end, the decisions you make about anything and everything is still your own decision. You are the only one that can choose what you want to do. No one else can and no one else should. You are the only one that can speak to your heart and that your heart can speak to. And when making this decision, just as you've come to the realisation of the amazing person you could become, you too will realise and know that when you take the leap, no matter the ending, there might be consequences (which 80% of the time there is) and you've got no choice but to deal with them. If that's the case well, Shit Happens. Try again. Trial and error. "There is only one way to learn. And that is through action." Without taking the leap and making mistakes, where are you gonna go? No where. Half the time, you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Those moments that make your palm sweat, those are the moments and windows of opportunity that are being given to you, that you should take and never let pass you by. "When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision." Life is always full of surprises; and how boring would life be without them?
It's very cliche, but you do only live once. Why would you live it not making the most of it. This world exists and you in it. It was created for you to be explored, seen, experienced. Why would you even think of going against that or letting it pass you by? Or even worse, deny anyone that happiness and opportunity? "I don't live in either my past or my future. I'm interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you'll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we're living now."
"Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of The World, and it will one day return there."
"Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You've got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense."
