ELLA WHEELER WILCOX 1914

BEING ALIVE

Cease wondering why you came--
Stop looking for faults and flaws;
Rise up to-day in your pride and say,
"I am part of the First Great Cause!"

IN every thousand people who are living on this earth, not more than one is alive.

To be really alive means more than to be a moving, breathing, eating, drinking, and talking human creature.

He who is actually alive finds the days too short for all the wonderful explorations which life offers in three realms to the reverent and aspiring adventurer.

He finds life itself a continual adventure, an unfolding panorama, with opportunities for pleasure and achievement at every turn.

He finds himself an object of interesting study, however dissatisfied he may be with the present results of that study, for he perceives that he is a crude chunk of Eternity, and that in himself lie all the powers and possibilities latent in the Universe. And that in himself lies the will to work out these possibilities.

He who is fully alive enjoys the earth and all its pleasures. He loves the slap of the wind upon his cheek, the dash of the waves up on his breast, the motion of his limbs in the swift walk; the thrill of the good steed's body under his own; the ecstasy of rhythm in the dance; the vibrant swing of the oar. He loves labor, and the fatigue which follows; and in his harmoniously developed frame there is not one lazy or unused muscle.

But being alive does not stop here.

The man who is practicing the art of being alive to its full extent has an alert, receptive brain and an awakened spirit. Without these he would simply be a splendid animal. With these he is the highest expression of the Creative Power visible to mortal vision. And with these he finds his opportunities for happiness, usefulness, and pleasure in existence threefold.

He knows the pleasures of the physical plane, for which his body is fashioned; he draws to himself the pleasures of the mental plane, and he senses the pleasures of the spiritual plane, which lies near, and derives power therefrom.

The man who is alive in all these ways must radiate light, cheer, sympathy, and helpfulness to all who come within his aura. Being alive to the vibrations from three realms, he knows all temptations; and having made many missteps himself, in his road to unfoldment, he can sympathize, counsel, and help onward those who have not been able to keep step with him in his progress.

The man who is really alive realizes that he must use his own position in the world, and his own environment, as the first field of action if he hopes to reach success in any venture. He must not wait for luck or a miracle to give him a change of location and surroundings better suited to his taste. Out of whatever destiny has bestowed upon him he will make the conditions which he desires.

And out of every earth day he will make a little bit of heaven.

No difficulty can discourage, no obstacle dismay, no trouble dishearten the man who has acquired the art of being alive. Difficulties are but dares of fate, obstacles but hurdles to try his skill, troubles but bitter tonics to give him strength; and he rises higher and looms greater after each encounter with adversity.

The man who is wholly alive finds pleasure in the simplest things; and to him nothing is commonplace, nothing is menial. And he is never bored, for nature and human nature and himself are ever interesting subjects of contemplation and study. And the future to him is a radiant vision, growing ever more and more wonderful.

If you are alive you are in touch with every new movement; you are awake to the consciousness of the march of progress and the discoveries of science; and you are lending a listening ear to what the students of metaphysical thought have to say.

If you are dull or indifferent or unbelieving when the great facts relative to this subject are mentioned in your presence, then you are no more alive to the vital truths of the day than is the child unborn, or the victim of the sleeping sickness, who lies for months in a state of lethargy, unable to think or reason, even though not dead. The marvels which exist all but you, the wonderful experiences which are related by thousand of intelligent human beings, who have given time and concentration to the exploration of the mental realm, have appealed to your mind and heart sufficiently to awaken your respectful interest, if you are really alive.

If you are bored with life and work, if you think the years of early youth alone are happy years, if you believe sentiment and romance are evanescent feelings, if you find daily life commonplace, if you imagine you are too old or too busy to make something worth while out of your opportunities, then you are not alive.

If you believe sickness, poverty, and unhappiness cannot be changed to health, comfort, and peace by yourself, then you are indeed unborn; and if you think elasticity of body and mind, and a joyful outlook, and worthy achievements, and vital joy in life cannot accompany human beings along the way after the half-century mark has been passed, you are not alive. You merely exist. And you are losing your wonderful chance to utilize for the good of the world and for your own good, here and hereafter, these golden days by a knowledge and use of the Divine Will in yourself.

Are you alive?