Under The Same Stars

Under the same stars.

I’ve never been embarrassed to admit that I’m not ok, however I’ve also never went around looking for pity in my times of weeping. This is something I’ve been extremely proud of. I’m what you could call a “keep to themselves” type of person. One who figures out problems on his own, while at the same time takes in advice from others with complete respect and appreciation. There is nothing wrong with admitting you need help with any situation in life. I will be the first to admit, we as humans feel a certain power when we can accomplish something on our own. For the times we can’t do so, we lose a piece of self-validation. Why is that? Why can’t we understand that every single one of us, here on this earth, are all living under the same stars with that same sense of wonder about this universe? We all rest our eyes, breathe the same air, and experience the same emotions. Does it not make sense that we take advantage of our brothers and sisters all of this planet together? Does asking for help make us any less part of this universe?

Now sure, I will admit that it feels damn good when you accomplish something completely on your own. I can relate that back to early childhood, leaving the bathroom for the first time alone and taking care of all my “business” in there independently. I’m sure I cannot be the only one who has this memory of the past, or perhaps I just hold a lot of pride dating back to the first time I wiped my ass solo. On a more mature recent level, let’s go back to the first new years after leaving college. Everyone has a new year’s resolution, and mine that year was to become as independent as possible. I moved out on my own, started my own business, paid all my bills myself, and supported my needs independently. Especially being a business owner at such a young age, I was so proud of this self-sufficiency. Sure it was hard at times, and there was a few months I was calling up mom and dad asking for some help with rent, but I was still so proud to be on my own.

Now back to my independent habits, I will admit that picking up the phone to ask my parents for help was a lot easier said than done. I felt shame, as if I was a failure for the month, as if I was failing my resolution for the year. At the end of the day that didn’t matter, what mattered was that rent was due and I was short funded. I am so blessed to have a family that is always there for me when I need them, that is something I will never take for granted. But sometimes there are things in life that we don’t know how to ask help for. Situations that have nothing to do with pride of self-accomplishment, or risking embarrassment and judgment. This is when I tend to keep to myself. This is when I sit down, take out a pen and paper and really think over what it is that is troubling my heart, mind, and soul. This usually works for me, but there are often times that I just can’t solve the puzzle.

I’ve learned in life, that we are all striving to become wise. Being described as someone of high wisdom is probably one of the greatest accomplishments we could have towards our reputation. And it’s simply true that wisdom comes through time. For time is not measured by minutes on a clock, but by the moments we live, and the experiences we share. Now for someone who makes life much harder than it should be or has to be, does that sound very wise? Wisdom is not always taking the path of least resistance, for it’s on the challenging paths that we find our true selves. However, there is a time on that challenging path that it becomes wise to ask direction from one who has already traveled down it.

Take a minute and to close your eyes. I want you to picture someone you would consider wise. It does not have to be someone you know, but I want you to picture more the face of someone who you would judge to have high levels of wisdom. Think as if you’re looking at a photograph of this person. Really look deeply into their face, acknowledge their skin, all of their features. Got it? Really think about it. Is their skin wrinkled? Do they have bags under their eyes? Is their hair long and white? If so then you just pictured a wizard and you did this completely wrong. Or maybe not! Isn’t it strange how we relate our thoughts of wisdom to someone of old age? Every single movie, story, book out there characterizes wisdom with someone of a much higher age. You never watch a movie where the younger sibling is teaching the grandfather a lesson, unless it involves Facebook or breakdancing. Now why is this? It’s because that wise person, has already traveled down the same path whether it be the one of most or least resistance.

Think back 10 or even 5 years from now, and think of all the lessons you’ve learned since then. I know I’ve learned more than is probably healthy in a normal late teenager’s life. Even in the few years I’ve been in my twenties, there has been so many lessons learned. Some I’ve learned on my own, and many I’ve learned through others. Either way, I’m a better person today after learning these lessons. I feel there is beauty in the world, the fact that you can’t get through it alone. God did not make Adam and Eve just so life could grow on, so humanity could be. He made two rather than one because that’s what we need in this life. We learn from each other, both physically and emotionally. If not for others, there is no way any of us could make it through a life time. And that is what fuels love, caring more about someone than you do yourself. Needing that person in your life so bad you wouldn’t want to imagine a world without them. We all need this in the world because it’s how we get through the hard times and appreciate the good. Bottom line if we were meant to live life alone, then alone we would be on this planet.

Never be scared to ask someone for help, to admit that you are not ok. Showing your weakness will not demolish your soul, it will not make you any less of a human. If anything this is a sign of courage and strength. A wise man admits his weakness, he admits the subject he holds no knowledge to, and he allows himself to grow. We are all placed on this earth together to live and to learn from one another. Take advantage of that incredible blessing from God. For those who fear standing out and showing their weaknesses may never grow and become wise. But for those who understand that their weakness could become their biggest strength, much like the tale of David and Goliath, shall become truly a wise giant beneath these stars.

-Kevin Lisak

#Wisdom