Mini-Bible-Philosophy-Worldview Study (14) Of The Day- On Getting Off The Wrong Lifepath
Verse Of The Day
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Cornithians 15:33)
Related Quotes
“Anyone can plot a course with a map or compass; but without a sense of who you are, you will never know if you’re already home.”- Shannon L. Alder
“Sometimes people need to take the wrong path in order to lead them to the right one.”- Nashoda Rose, Irish Crown
“The direction of your focus is the direction your life will move. Let yourself move toward what is good, valuable, strong and true.”- Ralph Marston
Questions For Discussion
Do you see yourself married or should you stay single?
If you are married, do you see yourself divorcing?
Do you want to settle down or have the freedom to move around?
If you could live in a foreign country which one would you choose? Why?
Bonus Verses
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. (Proverbs 28:10)
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Mark 1:3)
Commentary- On Fishing In The Wrong Place
Craig note- Do you know where you are really fishing in your life?
On Fishing, Step-Fathers, And Charter Boats
Fishing. I hate it. Well, actually, I don’t hate fishing. I dislike not catching anything.
When I was a boy, I spent hours fishing in various ponds and lakes near my house. It was an easy way to kill time on a lazy summer weekend with my family.
Sadly, I caught a total of three fish during the course of my entire childhood.
Once I got older, I avoided going fishing whenever I could. This annoyed my step-father. He loved fishing. But, I never came around to it or him for that matter.
It happens.
Years later, someone invited me on a charter boat fishing trip.
My great friend promised the fish “would be biting…” or, at least, he added, “If not, there will be plenty of cold beer.”
So, I agreed to go.
A group of seven of us met in the parking lot of a local department store at 4:00 a.m. We drove two hours to a beautiful lake. Our captain met us on the dock. He was a jolly fellow who promised “None of you will drown.”
It was a crisp morning. The waves crashed against the old, old, old boat something fierce. We sailed for 30 minutes as two of my great friends took turns throwing up over the side of the boat.
It got ugly.
The dilapidated vessel came to a stop, and the captain dropped the anchor.
I threw my line into the water, and I waited.
To my surprise, I caught a big fish and soon another.
My friends, too, were reeling in enormous fish after fish.
Everyone had a fantastic time.
It took only an hour to reach our legal catch limit. We returned to the dock just in time for lunch. The captain promised to have our fish “cleaned and packed…” by the time we finished our meal.
And, he did.
On Fishing For Success In Life
I was reminded of that story this week. One of my great friends in America wrote to me.
“Boy, your life sure is different on that side of the ocean than it was in America.”
And, I could not disagree with his assessment. America was a tough place for me back in the day. I did everything I was supposed to do.
I went to college. I got a job. And, I crushed myself to make something out of my life. But, for all of that effort, the sum total of my life was Z-E-R-O.
It happens.
On Changing One’s Ocean View
In contrast, my experience in Japan has been fantastic. I have everything in life anyone could ever want. But, there was a part of me that wondered, “Was it simply moving to Japan that changed the course of my existence?”
It bothered me that a mere change in my geography led my life to its current state of happiness and good (albeit English teacher-sized) fortune.
Certainly, my blood, sweat, and tears had to count for more than that.
Hard work matters!
Right?
But, honestly, I was unsure.
The sum total of my assistance to my life “success” was maxing out my credit card to buy “a discount plane ticket to Japan for ‘some English teaching job.’”
But, I was wrong.
My contribution was being willing to move my ‘boat.’ Some people in life need a change of scenery to make their lives better.
More often, there is a need for people to change the position of their ‘boats’ on the inside. And, despite being the captain of one’s ‘boat’ in life, that is hard for most people.
Me included.
On Singing A Different ‘Tuna’ About Your Life
I remember choosing to be a more positive person once I arrived in Japan. I had always been much more of a “the sky is falling” sort of dude in America. Make no mistake, there were good reasons for that constant trepidation.
My life was beset with misfortune and surreal circumstances that short-circuited my path to improving my fortunes.
But, my change in country of residence did not save me from every problem.
Oh, that I wish it had!
The reality is I have faced many challenges in Japan. But, I see those roadblocks as opportunities to improve my life, character, and focus. I cannot say I come out on top every time simply because I am a positive and hard-working person.
That would be a lie.
I assure you I do lose in Japan.
It happens.
But, I am never defeated.
As I always say, “Challenges are there to stop other people not me.”
That keeps me motivated to keep my ‘boat’ afloat even in the roughest of waves.
So, while I may never love fishing, I do know when I am not catching anything my ‘boat’ is likely just: “fishing in the wrong place.”
Grey, Grizzled, and Gaijin
