You Won’t Find Faith or Hope Down A Telescope
We often divide the subjects into these two categories: fact vs. faith. But maybe it isn’t as simple as that. Maybe the two somehow go hand-in-hand as we try to discover more about ourselves and our world: experimenting, believing, questioning, learning.
Maybe it’s about taking the scientific approach and hypothesizing, experimenting, trying while having faith that you’re working towards something, that a dream can possibly come true.
Newton’s Laws of Motion
The first law is this: An object at rest will remain at rest while an object in motion will remain in motion unless an outside force acts upon it.
This is why I’ve been thinking about it all: I’ve been at constant rest. At least, it’s felt that way these last few years…
For so long, I’ve held my own self back because I’ve been scared — I’ve been scared of trying, scared of success, scared of loving.
I’ve been so afraid of losing everything and everyone close to me that I haven’t even given life a chance. Instead, I’d given up, spending years unconsciously, so carefully constructing these walls that have kept me at a distance from experiences and people — even those I‘m closest to. I’ve taken my chances — life sometimes unexpectedly throws you into motion whether you want it to or not, moving you forward in the direction you’re meant to go — and I’ve created memorable experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
And yet, when it comes to those big dreams — the ones that whisper, “don’t let go of this” when you’re aimless and wandering — those are the dreams I’ve barely begun to work towards, so terrified am I at the idea of failing.
Or, perhaps more terrified at the idea that they might possibly come true.
An object at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts upon it…
Sometimes, I’ve realized, you can’t leave it all up to faith and big dreams; sometimes, you have to give yourself a push.
Sometimes, that means putting in that effort and dedication; sometimes, it means taking a chance.
Sometimes, it’s about remembering that what you put out into the world is what you’ll get back, and if you do both — if you test yourself and believe in yourself, you can get that much closer to what you most want.
It’s time to reach out, to let those walls crumble, to not hold back and be so afraid.
It’s time to remember how much we’re capable of…
And how far beyond even that we can go.
All I can promise:
I’m trying.
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Ryan Stephens:
January 26th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Really enjoyed the connections you’re making here Susan. I love the dichotomy between science vs. the arts, between fact vs. faith. And now you’ve done the hard part… you’re aware of what’s going on and you’ve put it down on paper. Now just take the baby steps… start taking action, and watch the momentum grow. Keep chasing the big dream; if not, what are we living for, right?
Best of luck!
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Sarah:
January 29th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
My favorite quote from Ever After is when DaVinci tells Henry, “You can’t leave everything to Fate, boy! She’s got a lot to do. Sometimes you have to give her a hand.” This is the phrase that always lingers in the back of my mind as I’m about to take a leap of faith or challenge myself. It’s not that I don’t believe in Fate, but I feel that while Fate has a hand in what’s meant to happen, ultimately, we make it happen.
Lyssa:
January 30th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Sometimes I spend way too much time thinking about the universe. I have yet to personify it and tempt it with tootsie rolls, though! I’m not there yet! For now, I’m just a little in awe and overwhelmed. I’m reading Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything, and this is making me think even MORE about the universe and all of the major scientists (particularly our Sir Isaac Newton). Anyway, beautiful post, Susan. I looooove how you capture so eloquently this reckoning between dichotomies. I think you’re doing a fine job. I’m scared of living, too, so I can commiserate. You know what makes all of this better, what gives me hope? Your heart. <3
Noel:
February 1st, 2011 at 6:45 pm
So beautifully honest! I have no doubt that by posting this and putting it out into the universe, you’ve already given your dreams a push forward.
Susan Pogorzelski:
February 3rd, 2011 at 10:26 am
Thanks so much for the comment, Ryan! Isn’t it fascinating, how everything can relate? And when it all boils down to it, it’s all about life?I’ve realized that you can’t get anywhere without moving — it’s a law of physics, it’s a lesson in life — and even if it is those baby steps, I’ll be further along than I was.
Live for the big dreams…I love that.
Susan Pogorzelski:
February 3rd, 2011 at 10:28 am
YES! See, this is why I adore you, you always understand the core of what I’m feeling. I love that quote as well, and when I think about fate, I also think of this. You could wait for life to come to you, or you can go out there and seize it.
Love this comment, Sarah, love you.
Susan Pogorzelski:
February 3rd, 2011 at 10:31 am
I have it on good authority that if you were to tempt the Universe with tootsie rolls, it will take the tootsie rolls, ignore you, and do what it wants anyway. But that’s just some of its tough love, teaching you that it’s up to you, that the Universe guides but doesn’t meddle, and that it knows what’s meant to be but will push you towards finding that for yourself.
Boy, the Universe can be a real pain in the ass, huh?
The thoughts can be overwhelming and, yes, awe-inspiring, especially considering all there is to know about it and all we’ve yet to learn. But when it comes to our personal lives, I think it comes down to just listening to that whisper to ourselves and trusting it. Trust yourself, Lys. You’re full of light and magic and if we’re scared of living, we’ll be scared together and together, we’ll face life head-on.
<3
Susan Pogorzelski:
February 3rd, 2011 at 10:32 am
Noel — I’m so glad to have been introduced to you! Your own writing is beautiful and I love your blog! Thank you so much for the kind comment — only time will tell