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One of my favorite bold bloggers, 3rd Millennium Men made a comment to a recent post; “Christmas eve, an underground river, underwater caves and a candle“.

The comment made me truly reflect, the product of which is this post.

“That is a freaking awesome story (included this purely out of egoism, it makes me feel warm inside). I also see a metaphor for your life, best said by Ayn Rand:

“Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists.. it is real.. it is possible.. it’s yours.”

What can I say? The brilliance of the authors of the 3rd Millennium Men blog to deduce such insight from a seemingly straight forward recount of an awesome travel adventure and tie it to a philosophically life affirming quote by the great Ayn Rand is nothing short of inspired.

This is the BEST of the BEST of the blogging community at work!

Reflecting on this comment, I see how this metaphor applies to my post. In the situation described I not only persevered a challenge but rather than succumbing it, I felt a high, my resolve strengthened. I had not allowed a slip or fall deter me and I celebrated every victory along the way.

Realizing how a single event could stand as a reflection of who I am as a person was enlightening. My vision of self appears to differ for those on the outside looking in. If then simply changing self perception can positively impact my experience of life, let’s do it! Adjust my inner lens, wipe the rain of tears I’ve cried; clear my view so I can appreciate what I have to offer; that would make all the difference in the world.

A recent post by author of another blog, misslisted, writes about self-love and the moment she realized that loving yourself as you love others benefits not just you but those all around your. Her quote, a variation on a classic; “Do unto yourself as you would have yourself do unto others“ sums up this concept splendidly.

Perhaps, then, I FINALLY could just ENJOY life. All of it. Not just bits and pieces. Not one or two days a year. Enjoy every little thing, all the nuances, the small blessings, the gifts I have been given, the gifts I share with others.

Replenishing hope with hope. Clearing the path for new joys, new opportunities, not allowing lost hopes, deterred plans, disappointment get in the way of achieving to get what I want out of life.

I went into that dark underwater cave in Guatemala, a candle my only guide as I swan through natures obstacle course without expectation. I had no preconceptions and it turned out to be amazing. There were challenges and sometimes even pain, but without those obstacles the journey would not have been as interesting, as fulfilling.

If I can keep an open mind; simply let the light shine bright, finally accept my own strength; believe I have the qualities that allowed me to reach the end of the tunnel with joy despite the challenges; dim my focus on negatives, the “if, ands or buts” then hope, as Ms. Rand described, can proliferate.

The glow of that candle I never allowed to sink below the water will be my guide; ensure I will not give up, I will stay above water and never let my fire go out.

~ the audacious amateur blogger

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