My all-time favorite movie is “Joe Versus the Volcano.” Ever since the first time I saw this movie I was hooked. I once watched it every day for three weeks straight. I’m serious. Before you start to judge me and think I’m a freak, know that there are legions of people out there loyal to this film. People have written doctoral theses statements about this movie. I once sat in front of the movie with my finger on the pause button and pen and paper at my disposal, writing down all my favorite quotes from the movie. If you don’t believe me about the cult following, check out the following website http://www.mindspring.com/~waponi/.
There were several great quotes from the movie. However, the one that has always stuck with me is as follows:
“My father says the whole world is asleep. Everyone. Everyone you see, everyone you know. He says that only a few people are awake, and they live in a state of constant, total amazement.”
Let that sink in for a moment. Really think about it. Could you or anyone you know claim the same? Probably not. In fact, many of us may have only met one person in our life this quote would apply to. Imagine if you could say this quote applies to you. Imagine if you were so in tune with your present being and your surroundings that you walked around in a constant state of amazement. Think how much less stress you would have, how much more you would appreciate things, how much more people would enjoy being around you, etc. etc. etc.
Take another moment to really let this sink in.
This brings me to my point of today’s Journal. Part of the recovery process for me involves daily meditation. I am learning how to do this. I did not realize how much of an art it truly is. It is not easy to allow yourself to fall into a state of total meditation. At least it’s not easy for me, and I practice everyday. As I have come to discover there is real power in meditation. The whole point of meditation is to be in the “Now”. To be completely engrossed in the moment, and only the moment.
One of the greatest challenges with SCIs, or any serious ailment, is to take things one day at a time. Again, something that was always difficult for me even before my injury. However, as I’ve mentioned several times in the past, I try not to think too far ahead in the future. It can get scary and lead to unneeded anxiety. Shortly after my injury I was talking to someone about this issue. I was referred to a book entitled, The Power of Now.
This is a book that focuses on living in the now. To be so focused on the now that you learn to let go of stress and anxiety that is on your mind. The author’s hope for the reader is to reach enlightenment through a radical inner transformation. A question is posed,” have you ever been truly in the now when you think about nothing else other than the moment at hand as if it was a matter of life and death?” Really think about this. Can you think of any times in your life could say this about yourself? There were only two moments that came to mind when I thought about this. My entire life of 34 years, and only two moments, a few precious seconds, I can honestly say I was in the now.
The first moment that came to mind was the first time I jumped out of an airplane. The second moment that came to mind was when I sat on the back of a bull and tried to ride it for 8 seconds. I can honestly say that those two moments I was completely engrossed in the present. I wasn’t worried about anything else in this world — no past, no future, only the present. And while I had a healthy dose of adrenaline pumping through my veins, I slipped into that constant, total state of amazement. I found enlightenment in the power of now. The challenge, though, is to reach this stage again, every day, without having to strap on a bundle of nylon across my back or strap myself to the back of a 2,000 pound beast full of muscle and testosterone. This is where the meditation and the book can help me — and I hope they will. I believe they will.
You can begin to see the parallel between this book and my favorite movie. I always loved the movie “Joe Versus the Volcano” and found wisdom in its dialogue, but never truly embraced it. I’ve never truly allowed myself to focus on the now. A perfect illustration of this is a conversation Kristy and I had in the car while driving up to the lake the day I broke my neck. Kristy expressed with concern the fact that I always am so focused on what’s next, that I never appreciate what is now. Honest to God, true story. Eerie foreshadowing if you ask me.
So, here I am today learning to be in the now. It’s not something you learn overnight, but rather over a lifetime. It requires a lot of practice, patience, perseverance and willingness. I’m willing to put in the work and betting on the Come that it will be worth it. People have dedicated a lifetime to achieving this feet. Buddhist monks, martial arts experts, true yoga practitioners and very young children are among the elite who have mastered this technique and achieved true enlightenment.
A few days ago while working with Dave, my massage therapist, we discussed this concept. In addition to being an excellent masseuse, Dave is a martial artist with over 30 years of practice. We talked about the now, about letting everything else go, about “taking out the trash” and clearing your mind. He read a little from the works of Anthony DeMello, a Jesuit priest and psychotherapist. This has become our custom of late, read a passage and then reflect on it while he works on me. Dave left me with a movie called ” Peaceful Warrior” based on the book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. The movie is about a gymnast who severely injured himself, is told he will be lucky if he can walk again and will certainly never be able to perform again. He meets a stranger one night at a gas station who takes him under his wing and over several months teaches him the importance of living in the now. The gymnast goes on to compete again and win a national title in the process. It’s a true story about Dan Millman. If interested in this story, check out the website http://www.danmillman.com/ .
So there you have it, the key to a successful and enlightened life is to live in the now. We’re all capable of it, but only a very few can ever achieve it. Perhaps some of you will find some meaning in this journal and choose to explore this concept much further. I wish you luck. In any event, go watch “Joe Versus the Volcano” — regardless of what kind of mood you find yourself in, you might just find yourself happy and inspired when it’s over.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. It is so greatly appreciated !
Scott
Warrior One is such a popular pose, but not everybody does it correctly. There are ways to make hands-on adjustments so everyone can succeed in this pose. I found Leeann Carey has a free yoga video on exactly how to do this. Thought your readers might want to check it out: http://planetyoga.com/yoga-blogs/index.php/free-yoga-video-hands-on-adjustments-in-warrior-one-pose/
Good Morning
Reading your Post this early am ,is so inspiring and calming.I have a very busy day with many things that have to get done because we are having guest’s,but I feel I’ll get them done one day at a time like your doing. Hubby Don also is on my mind,he suddenly has lost all hearing in his rt. ear and is under going tests to see what happened,so I ask that you help pray for him as we will keep you and yours in our prayers.
“Always remember to forget the trouble’s that come your way,but never forget the Blessing’s that come each day”
Carol & Don
Dear Scott, I’m not sure if I ever posted on Caringbridge. I definitely followed your story from the beginning and thought many times to write you, but I constantly struggled on what to say. Of course “you are in my prayers”, “thinking of you”, etc. all made sense, but as I do with many other matters – I tend to overthink things. I think so hard about the best way to do something and many times I end up not doing it at all. Your entries have been amazingly inspiring and moving, but I found this one especially touching. You couldn’t be more right about the importance of living in the Now. My days sometimes tend to be a check off list of things to do that I don’t enjoy the precious moments given to me. Thank you so much for the reminder. Tonight I am going to enjoy every minute of my daughter’s hour before bedtime with her. Yes, it’s only an hour, but we have to start somewhere, right? Again, thank you for all your inspiration. You are truly a unique and special soul. Of course, you are in my prayers 🙂
P.S. I’ve never seen the movie, but I definitely will as soon as possible!
Amen to that! I try every day to focus on the now. It takes a lot of concentration and the need to clear your mind of wondering what the future holds. The now is all we have and we need to make it the best it can be. You, as always, are an inspiration to me and I’m sure to others.
Thanks as always for sharing your wisdom.
Love to you,
Cherry
Scott,
I am a friend of Kristy’s- we’ve known each other since grade school. My family and I have kept you and Kristy in our thoughts and prayers this past year. I have been following your journey and am SO impressed with your attitude and beliefs.
I felt that I had to comment today though because I too am a HUGE fan of the movie “Joe versus the Volcano” and have been for YEARS. I long thought I was the only one!! I too love the movie’s message of making the NOW count- for if you make the now count and make it wonderful, think of how great your memories of the past will be in the future!
I look forward to continuing to “watch” your progress. You, your family and Kristy continue to be in my prayers!
Jamie Cremean
Scott, I believe you have reached the beginning of the Path to Enlightenment. Stay focused, See you soon.
Scott,
Thank you for your insight into living in the “now” which most and especially I blow buy in a heart beat thinking about what I need to do next! I’m on vacation at our place in NY and was just planning my projects for the day. “Now”…I think I’ll lay back and read a book “Salt” that I’ve been trying to get to when I had time?
I can see how this therapy would be a big help to you on your road to recovery, your life ahead which I know will be rewarding in it’s own special way. I’ll continue to offer my prayers for you and your journey, Kristy and your family.
God love you!
Jim Burda
Scotty I love that quote. I can remember a short period of my life when I lived that quote. I know you know the time I am referring to. Since then other than a few moments like getting married and having my first baby I have been sleep walking through my days. Thanks so much for sharing that since i feel like I’m in a coma lately. Time to wake up! Much love from the Parkinson crew.
Your journel notes are very interesting and I’m honored to be able to read them. I still pray for a miracle for you.
How true! Never heard of the movie; but I will be renting it-what an amazing gift to be able to put aside past and future anxieties, if even for a short time. Love reading your posts. Will be praying for you on the 7th(every day, of course; but a double prayer that day. love, Aunt Marilou
So renting that movie this weekend (wait..can one still rent movies???)…never saw it …but I am so behind in the movie dept….just saw Hangover last week…I had no idea what people were talking about when they quoted it every 8 seconds! Great post!
I couldn’t agree more. When Ali and I are getting upset about something and losing perspective, I usually blurt out, “Ali we are standing on a massive rock that is rotating around a flaming ball of gas. I think we need to step back and get some perspective.” She usually smiles after that and we try to work things out from the perspective that every moment we have is a gift. We did not choose to be here. God has chosen us to be here. Thank you for sharing…Jason